Research Assistant Professor - Chemistry

Posting Details

Institution: The University of South Dakota Working Title: Research Assistant Professor - Chemistry Posting Number: F01784P Department: USD-Chemistry Physical Location of Position: Vermillion

Posting Text

The Chemistry Department of the University of South Dakota (USD) invites applicants to apply for a long-term Research Faculty position in chemistry related to modern refrigeration, including but not limited to broadly defined fluorine chemistry. The initial appointment for this position will be at the Assistant Professor level.

This hiring is in response to the R&D needs of the newly established NSF Engineer Research Center: Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (NSF ERC EARTH), a large collaborative effort involving six academic institutions and fifteen industrial partners. A successful candidate is expected to bring knowledge and skills that align with the NSF ERC EARTH goals and are complementary to the expertise of current department faculty.

The new research faculty is expected to provide guidance to graduate and undergraduate students, either through individual effort or collaborative effort with the department EARTH faculty. In addition to a publication record, demonstrated ability to secure external funding is further thought to be an area of strength for a successful candidate.

The position requires a PhD degree in chemistry or a closely related field, with preference given to candidates with postdoctoral experience or equivalent industrial working experience.

Contact Information

• ERC EARTH Program Questions: Please reach out to the ERC EARTHs USD lead person, Dr. Haoran Sun at Haoran.Sun@usd.edu.
• Chemistry Program Questions: Please reach out to the Department Chair, Dr. James Hoefelmeyer at James.Hoefelmeyer@usd.edu.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants shall provide the following documents to the search committee through the SD BOR online job application portal:

1. Cover Letter
2. CV
3. Detailed Research Plans (no more than 10 pages total, including reference citations; 1-inch margin; single-spaced; 11-point font)
4. Student Mentoring Plans (two-page maximum; 1-inch margin; single-spaced; 11-point font)
5. A list of contact information for three professional references.

Institutional Overview

As South Dakotas flagship institution and one of the five core-partner institutions of the recently funded NSF ERC EARTH, the University of South Dakota provides a vibrant study and working environment for its students and faculty.

The Chemistry Department at USD offers BS and MS degrees in Chemistry and a PhD degree in Materials Chemistry. Over the past twenty years, the Chemistry Program at USD has received very strong external funding support from federal, state, and industry sources, including highly competitive NSF CAREER and NRT grants, and lately large collaborative NSF ERC grants.

• Chemistry Department Website: www.usd.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Schools/college-of-arts-sciences/chemistry
• ERC EARTH Website:http://erc-earth.ku.edu

Posting Dates & Status

• Posting Date: 03/23/2026
• Closing Date: Open Until Filled
• First Consideration Date: 04/27/2026
• Advertised Salary: [Not Specified]
• Duration of the Term: 9 months
• Appointment Percent: 100%
• Tenure Status: Term
• Proposed Rank: Assistant Professor
• Work Hours: Typical Hours Worked Per Week
• Appointment Type: Regular
• Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming working and learning environment for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives, or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

USD is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.

Working Conditions & Requirements

• Cognitive Requirements: Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication.
• Protective Clothing/Equipment: Eye Protection, Other (Laboratory personal protective equipment as needed to perform research safely).
• Physical Requirements: Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc.), Grasping, Lifting (moderate), Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Stretching, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating).
• Description: The candidate will operate within an office and laboratory space. The candidate will interface with computers, laboratory equipment, and apparatus, including laboratory chemicals and safety engineering controls.
• Sensory Requirements: Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses).

Working Conditions & Exposures

• Atmospheric Contaminants: Includes odors & fumes.
• Chemical Hazards: Yes.
• Other Hazards: Hazards include cryogens, laboratory chemicals, heating apparatus, electrical equipment, and instrumentation that includes radiation-generating devices such as X-ray diffractometers.
• Working Environment: Lab Environment, Office Environment.

Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

• Required Documents: Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Reference List, Work or Writing Sample.
• Optional Documents: Portfolio, Other.