Assistant Professor Materials Science Jobs in Delaware

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Geochemistry

Department of Earth Sciences - University of Delaware

The Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of Delaware invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position in Geochemistry at the rank of Assistant Professor, starting in Fall 2026. We seek a motivated scientist who will establish a robust, externally funded research program, teach effectively across the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, mentor graduate students, and contribute to a collaborative and interdisciplinary academic environment. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in stable isotope geochemistry, with applications in areas such as environmental geochemistry, critical minerals, carbon sequestration, and other emerging topics in geochemistry. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences or a closely related field, extensive experience operating mass spectrometers, and the ability to oversee and further develop our existing stable isotope facility.

The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Delaware houses a state-of-the-art stable isotope laboratory (https://sites.udel.edu/eis-lab/) equipped with advanced instrumentation capable of measuring isotope ratios and concentrations of hydrogen (H), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and chlorine (Cl). Measurements can be performed on a wide range of materials, including minerals, water, gases, organic compounds, soils, and biomass. The laboratory features multiple Thermo Scientific Delta V Plus IRMS systems, a GC IsoLink II, Trace 1300 GC, EA IsoLink OH and CNS analyzer, Dionex ICS 2100 ion chromatograph, and an LGR Triple Isotope Water Analyzer. A recent addition to the facility is the Thermo Scientific Exploris 240 Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer for high-resolution isotope analysis. The department also maintains a gamma spectrometry system for measuring natural radioactivity. In addition, the University offers access to the Advanced Materials Characterization Laboratory (https://amcl.udel.edu/), a shared core facility equipped with a Thermo Fisher iCAP TQ ICP-MS with laser ablation and chromatography capabilities, and a suite of X-ray diffraction and fluorescence instruments. Electron, confocal, atomic force and other microscopes are housed in the Keck Center for Advanced Microscopy and the Bioimaging Facility. A full list of core facilities and institutes is available at https://research.udel.edu/core-facilities/.

The successful candidate is expected to integrate the Stable Isotope Laboratory into their research program and leverage its capabilities to support their scientific endeavors. The ideal candidate will build on existing strengths in the Department of Earth Sciences (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/es/) that include geobiology, environmental geochemistry, hydrology, geomorphology, solid Earth geochemistry, and geophysics. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate across the university with faculty in units such as the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, the School of Marine Science and Policy, the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, and the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Interdisciplinary efforts may include interactions with the Delaware Environmental Institute, the Gerard Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub, and the Delaware Geological Survey.

Recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of America's best universities to work for, the University of Delaware is located in Newark, Delaware, a vibrant college town within two hours of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. State-assisted, privately governed, UD is a Carnegie R1 Doctoral University and a Land Grant, Sea Grant, and Space Grant institution. Compensation packages are competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Faculty at the University have regularly received annual cost-of-living and merit salary increases, and the benefits package is one of the best in the nation.

Applicant Instructions: Applicants should apply online and submit the following materials: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and statements (maximum of two pages each) addressing:

1.  Current research and future plans and vision;
2.  Teaching and mentoring experience and interests; and
3. Previous experience operating stable isotope ratio mass spectrometers and related techniques/instrumentation along with a plan to use these instruments in future research.

Applicants should also provide the names and contact information for three to four references. Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to Prof. Clara Chan (cschan@udel.edu). For instrumentation related queries, contact Dr. Chandranath Basak (cbasak@udel.edu).

The University of Delaware is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran, as well as any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For the University's complete non-discrimination statement, please visit www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html