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Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of California invites applicants for a a full-time Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry to conduct applied research for the Dr. Jiri Smunek’s Lab in Riverside, CA. This position will start on July 1, 2026. The purpose of this position will investigate fate and transport of chemicals in soil and water to assess their effects on environmental health.. The final candidate will The faculty member is expected to conduct laboratory, field, and/or model-based research to understand chemical behavior, determine environmental risks, and develop sustainable mitigation strategies. While all areas of environmental chemistry will be considered, preference will be given to applicants with training and interests in legacy and emerging organic contaminants, particularly those with implications for agricultural soils and food-producing systems. Potential research areas may include identification and analysis of emerging contaminants (e.g., PFAS) and agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides) in environmental media, determining mechanisms of transformation and transport, and characterizing bioaccumulation and non-target exposure of such contaminants. Candidates should demonstrate potential in supporting a research program in environmental chemistry with competitive funding sources such as state and federal agencies or foundations.

Teaching: The faculty member is expected to contribute to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of $80,800 - $104,700 for Assistant Professors and additional off-scale to be commensurate with market value, qualifications and experiences. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include: A PhD in Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Soil Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field is required. Demonstrated excellence at job specific skills, including teaching experience.

Preferred qualifications for this position include: Demonstration of potential for securing competitive funding at the federal-level. Strong track record of high-quality publications.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

Advancement through the Assistant ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 “For advancement information for Lecturers, please refer to the Contract for the Lecturers Unit (IX) between the University of California and the American Federation of Teachers: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ix/contract.html.”

To apply: submit Curriclum Vitae, Cover Letter, Statement of Research and Statement of Teaching to https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF02185. Review of applications will commence on January 1, 2026, and proceed until position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit their complete applications prior to the above date.

For more information about this position, please contact Jiri Simunek, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Environmental Sciences, at jiri.simunek@ucr.edu . For questions on application procedures and requirements, please contact Mrs. Naudia Samuels Johnson, Academic Personnel, at naudia.samuelsjohnson@ucr.edu.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HRSU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.”

University of California COVID-19 Vaccination Program Policy: As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC’s criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.