Professor/Chair, Department of Chemistry

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) College of Science invites applications for the position of Chair, Department of Chemistry, at the rank of Professor, a tenured position, with an anticipated target hire date of July 1, 2027. Exceptional candidates at the Associate Professor rank will also be considered. The Department and College seek a dynamic, collaborative and visionary leader to serve as Chair to advance the Department of Chemistry’s research, education and service missions. The Department is one of 10 departments in the College of Science, together with the College’s public service programs, and plays a foundational role in research and education across the University. The Department includes two dozen academic and administrative faculty, whose expertise spans analytical, bio-organic, computational, inorganic, materials, organic, physical and theoretical chemistry.

The Department offers a highly reputable B.S. in Chemistry with multiple areas of emphasis, and has maintained continuous American Chemical Society (ACS) certification status since 1941. It also offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry, and participates with the Department of Physics in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Chemical Physics. The Chemistry graduate programs support approximately 65-75 graduate students working with research-active faculty. Undergraduate and graduate students benefit from extensive opportunities for faculty-mentored research and access to advanced research infrastructure.

Departmental research is supported by extramural grants from federal and private agencies, with over $10M in research funding in FY25-26. Research spans experimental and theoretical chemistry, and is supported by extensive shared instrumentation in the Shared Instrumentation Laboratory (SIL), including NMR spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, optical and laser spectroscopy, and materials characterization capabilities. The Department also operates ChemStores, a research stockroom that provides chemicals, supplies, and related resources to researchers across campus.

The Department has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research, including the Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology, which brings together investigators from chemistry, biology, mathematics, biochemistry, natural resources and environmental science. The interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Chemical Physics provides an additional bridge between Chemistry and Physics. Together, these activities provide a strong foundation for expanding collaborative research across the College of Science, the University, and with external partners.

The Chair will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, the Dean and College leadership to establish and implement a forward-looking vision for the Department. The Chair will strengthen research excellence and extramural funding, advance undergraduate and graduate education, recruit and retain outstanding faculty and students, strategically manage departmental resources and infrastructure. The Chair is expected to maintain an innovative, externally funded research program, with competitive startup support available. The Chair will help position Chemistry as a leader in interdisciplinary research and education and enhance the Department's visibility and impact within Nevada and nationally.

A successful Chair will be expected to address a set of key opportunities and responsibilities, including:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Department.
• Strengthen the Department's research enterprise.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the College of Science and University.
• Recruit, retain, mentor and support outstanding faculty and staff.
• Sustain and advance excellence in undergraduate education.
• Strengthen graduate education and training.
• Expand opportunities for undergraduate research and experiential learning.
• Support strategic management and development of research and instructional infrastructure.
• Advance a strong culture of laboratory safety and responsible research.
• Develop and support effective mentoring and professional-development programs.
• Oversee and strategically manage the Department's budget, personnel, space and other resources.
• Advance external engagement and resource development by working with College and University leadership.
• Enhance the visibility and reputation of the Department.
• Foster a collegial and inclusive academic environment.
• Align departmental priorities with the College of Science Strategic Plan and UNR's strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to the academic mission of the Department through teaching, research and/or scholarly engagement appropriate to the successful candidate's expertise.

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field; be eligible for tenure upon arrival; and demonstrate skills in strategic planning and administration. Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in research, teaching and mentoring in chemistry or related fields. Candidates currently at the rank of Associate Professor are encouraged to apply, provided they can demonstrate a record of accomplishment sufficient to support appointment at the rank of Professor upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

The University of Nevada (UNR), Reno will use a holistic review process that considers candidates' experiences, accomplishments, leadership attributes, competencies, and scholarly record to identify a strong and diverse pool of qualified applicants. Ideal candidates for the Chair of Chemistry will demonstrate aptitude in the following areas:

• Vision and values aligned with UNR, COS, and the Department of Chemistry.
• Academic leadership; prior experience as an academic leader is desirable.
• Teaching, curricular development, mentoring, and faculty development.
• Relationship building, collaborative leadership, and team development.
• Growth of research and scholarly activity, including securing extramural, private and donor funding.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Commitment to inclusive excellence and the ability to foster a welcoming and collegial academic environment.
• Professionalism and communication/interpersonal skills.
• Entrepreneurship and innovation. Experience overseeing research infrastructure, laboratory operations, safety, compliance, and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to represent and advocate for the Department effectively within COS, UNR and with external stakeholders.

Department Information : The Department of Chemistry in the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno, offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry. The department has 20 full-time academic faculty (18 tenure-stream and 2 non-tenure-track instructional), 3 administrative faculty, and 7 classified personnel, and is housed in a four-story building with state-of-the-art research facilities. Please find more information here:

For more information, and to apply, please visit:

Application review for this position will begin November 9, 2026. This posting is open until filled. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received, or a hiring decision has been made.

EEO/AA. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.