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Forensic Professor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Professor information

See Virginia salary details

$10.9K

$81.2K

$100.1K

How much do forensic professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic professor in Virginia is $81,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $99,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic professors in balancing teaching and research responsibilities?

Forensic Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including delivering lectures, mentoring students, conducting research, and staying current with advancements in forensic science. Managing time efficiently to fulfill teaching obligations while also publishing research and securing funding can be challenging. Additionally, staying engaged with real-world forensic cases to enrich classroom material requires ongoing professional development and collaboration with law enforcement or forensic labs. Success in this role often comes from strong organizational skills and a passion for both education and scientific discovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Professor, you need advanced expertise in forensic science, a relevant doctoral degree, and a strong background in research and teaching. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, forensic databases, and digital research platforms is typically expected, along with experience publishing in scientific journals. Excellent communication, mentorship, and critical thinking skills help foster student engagement and support academic collaboration. These competencies are vital for educating future professionals, advancing forensic research, and maintaining academic rigor in the field.

What is a forensic professor?

Forensic Professors are academic professionals who teach and conduct research in the field of forensic science. They work at colleges or universities and may specialize in areas such as forensic biology, chemistry, toxicology, or criminalistics. Their responsibilities include developing curricula, lecturing on forensic topics, supervising laboratory work, mentoring students, and often pursuing their own research projects in forensic science. Forensic Professors also stay current with advancements in the field and may collaborate with law enforcement or forensic laboratories.

What is the difference between Forensic Professor vs Forensic Scientist?

AspectForensic ProfessorForensic Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctorate in forensic science, law, or related field; academic credentialsBachelor's or master's in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or related field
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, universities, research institutionsCrime labs, law enforcement agencies, government labs
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, universitiesLaw enforcement, forensic laboratories, government agencies
Primary FocusTeaching, research, academic publicationAnalyzing evidence, conducting forensic tests, supporting investigations

While both roles involve forensic science, a Forensic Professor primarily focuses on teaching and research within academic settings, whereas a Forensic Scientist applies scientific techniques directly to criminal investigations in labs or law enforcement agencies.

Infographic showing various Forensic Professor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,174 per year, or $39 per hour.

Teaching Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry (Non-Tenured Track, F1103A)

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Old Dominion University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

Posting Details
Posting Details
Job Title
Teaching Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry (Non-Tenured Track, F1103A)
Department
CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Position Number
F1103A
Job Description
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Old Dominion University invites applicants for a teaching assistant professor position to begin in Spring 2027. This is an annual, 10-month appointment, within the career line track which does not include the possibility of tenure but otherwise parallels the tenure track with various ranks (Teaching Assistant Professor, Teaching Associate Professor and Teaching Professor).
For the Teaching Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry, responsibilities include teaching and developing both lecture and laboratory courses in introductory forensic science, forensic biochemistry and/or chemistry, and crime scene investigation. The candidate will also participate in curriculum development for a FEPAC certified Forensic Chemistry degree, as well as service to the department, college and university.
Position Type
FullTime
Type of Recruitment
General Public
Type of Recruitment
General Public
Minimum required education and/or special licenses, registrations, trainings, or certifications
  1. M.S. in forensic science, forensic chemistry, chemistry or biochemistry from an accredited institution
  2. Ph.D. in forensic science or forensic chemistry; or Ph.D. in chemistry or biochemistry or closely related field with forensic research experience from an accredited institution.

Minimum required level and type of experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities
  1. For applicants with both M.S. and Ph.D.: Ability to teach introductory forensic science lecture and/or lab courses at the undergraduate level at a US institution.
  2. In addition, for applicants with an M.S.: 3 years of professional experience in the field of forensic science.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated ability to teach chemistry and/or forensics lecture and lab courses at the undergraduate level at a US institution.
  • Experience in teaching and managing courses with formal laboratory components.
  • Experience with use of advanced technology in the classroom and canvas or other LMS platforms.
  • Involvement in forensic chemistry curriculum development and FEPAC certification.

Conditions of Employment
Location
Norfolk, VA
Job Open Date
07/27/2026
Application Review Date
08/31/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should visit https://jobs.odu.edu/postings/26950 to apply and attach the following with their online application:
1. Letter of application.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Statement of teaching philosophy.
4. Unofficial graduate transcripts.
5. Contact information for 3 professional references.
Optional uploads: Applicants are encouraged to upload up to a total of three documents or a total of 10 pages from their recent course syllabi or teaching evaluations, or other documents generated by them and used for classroom instruction.
Review of applications for this position will begin on August 31, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
Telework Friendly
No
Reasonable Accommodation Request
If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Division of Talent Management and Culture at (757)683-3141.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or © consistent with contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
About the College
https://www.odu.edu/sci
About the Department
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, one of the academic units within the College of Sciences, has 27 faculty members committed to excellence in research and teaching. The Department currently offers undergraduate degrees in chemistry (ACS approved, research, pre-med, chemical forensic science and secondary chemistry education tracks), biochemistry (including research and secondary chemistry education tracks) as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry. The Department has a robust undergraduate program with over 180 undergraduate students and provides an extensive amount of service teaching for undergraduate majors from across the university. The Department has an active Ph.D. program with over 40 doctoral students. For more information about the Department, its undergraduate and graduate degree plans, and new building, please visit odu.edu/chemistry.

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