Tenure Track Assistant Professor position in Synthetic Biology- Job ID 1043012

Tenure Track Assistant Professor position in Synthetic Biology

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago

Hiring Department: Biological Sciences

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Requisition ID: 1043012

Posting Close Date: December 18, 2026

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000 to $120,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Link to Apply:

UIC faculty are expected to carry out their responsibilities in person and onsite as part of a vibrant and collegial on-campus community.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement plan, Paid time off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

About the Department of Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences, which resides in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has research strengths in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, and Ecology and Evolution. The department currently has 28 tenure-line faculty and 11 non-tenure track faculty, >2400 undergraduate majors and over 105 graduate students. See for more information.

Position Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Synthetic Biology. We seek creative and innovative candidates who use molecular, genetic, biochemical, structural, computational, and/or cellular approaches to study and engineer biological systems. Research interests may span a broad range of experimental platforms and organisms, from in vitro systems, to microorganisms, plants and animals. Areas of interest are broad and include, but are not limited to, synthetic gene circuits and regulatory networks, genome engineering, metabolic engineering, engineered cellular systems, protein and RNA engineering, in vitro and cell-free systems, protein and macromolecular design, and machine learning and AI driven approaches. We are particularly interested in research that applies our understanding of fundamental biological processes to the design of new biological systems and functions, including the engineering of gene expression, protein synthesis, and the production of biomolecules with novel properties. All scales of analysis and research will be considered. Researchers working in the field of synthetic biology and using approaches to tackle evolutionary questions that connect with Departmental strengths in ecology and evolution, molecular, cell and developmental biology, and neurobiology, are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, independent research program supported by external funding and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

Duties & Responsibilities

Establish a vigorous, active, and externally funded research program utilizing any combination of experimental and computational approaches to rationally design and/or synthesize new biological molecules, pathways, or systems with the goal of advancing novel technologies or elucidating foundational principles in biology. Participate in the intellectual life of the university. Seek external funding in support of their research program. Teach biochemistry or related topics to UIC undergraduate and graduate students in Biological Sciences. Guide students in research. Provide service to the Department and University in the form of committee work, seminar coordination, policy review, and/or mentorship and other service activities. Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.  

Minimum Qualifications : The candidate must have a PhD degree or equivalent doctoral degree in relevant discipline, have relevant postdoctoral or equivalent research experience, and demonstrate a strong record of research accomplishments.

For full consideration , please complete an online application and submit the following materials:

Cover letter outlining applicant qualifications and motivation Curriculum vitae Research plan (up to 3 pages) Teaching philosophy statement (1 page) Names and contact information (including email addresses) for at least 3 references  

Applications should be submitted at: by December 18, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Final authorization of the position is subject to availability of funding.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.