Title: Assistant/Associate Professor - Polymer Science

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Polymer Science & Engineering

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

Assistant and Associate Professors teach courses (undergraduate and graduate) offered by the Polymer Science and Engineering Department, and they are assigned a teaching load in the department comparable to the other tenure-track (assistant professor rank) and tenured (associate professor rank) faculty. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position.

Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

Most such courses are at the graduate level, and professors are expected to teach broader core curriculum graduate courses as well as advanced topics graduate courses in their areas of expertise; additional courses may be taught at the undergraduate level. Building a strong, externally recognized and externally funded research group is major activity for assistant and associate professors, and research groups typically include multiple graduate student advisees as members; they may also include undergraduate and post-doctoral advisees along with visiting scientists. Collaborative research and mentoring efforts across the department and university are expected. Professors are assigned appropriate research laboratories and are responsible for supervising the work conducted in these spaces. Additional service to department, college, and university is strongly encouraged, and this service can take many forms, including membership on academic committees, drafting planning documents, re-vamping courses and curriculum, recruiting students, and service in governorship. To build national and international research stature, service to bodies external to the university is also encouraged.

Essential Functions

Research, teaching, and service. Of special importance are mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, contributions to diversity and inclusiveness, and publication of high-quality original scientific research.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline in the natural sciences, biological sciences, or engineering.

Additional Details

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst’s For the Common Good: 2024–2034 Strategic Plan.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Anticipated start date of September 1, 2027.

Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week.

Salary Information

The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $79,350 and $195,078 for this position. Please note:

The low end of this range is based on the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA. The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a cover letter, CV, research plan, teaching plan, inclusiveness statement (see below).

Applicants for an assistant professor position should arrange for at least three (3) letters of recommendation to be uploaded.

Applicants at the rank of associate professor or above for whom an offer of tenure may be considered should supply contact information for at least three (3) professional references.

These applications should include materials that address the standards and criteria for tenure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst as described in our Academic Personnel Policy (also known as the “Red Book”).

Apply by December 1, 2026 in order to ensure priority consideration. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.