Assistant Professor, Forensic Science

Department of Chemistry

The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics

FCSM-3629

Position:

The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics invites applications for a tenure-track, 9-month Assistant Professor in Forensic Science in the Department of Chemistry beginning August 2023.

Qualifications:

PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology or a related discipline, with application toward Forensic Science.  The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in either analytical chemistry (forensic toxicology, forensic drug analysis and forensic trace evidence analysis using advanced analytical techniques and instruments such as HPLC, LCMS, GC, GCMS and FTIR), or forensic DNA analysis (STR/PCR and/or NGS technology).  Candidates with experience in a forensic analytical chemistry laboratory or a forensic DNA laboratory, postdoctoral experience or undergraduate teaching experience are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities:

Teach upper-level undergraduate and graduate forensic science courses and serve as an undergraduate and graduate research mentor.  Establish a competitive research program that can engage undergraduate and graduate forensic science students.  Pursue external funding and publish in peer-reviewed research journals.  Participate in departmental activities and potentially teach general chemistry courses at the introductory level when needed by the department.

Department of Chemistry:

The Department of Chemistry is ACS accredited with 20 tenured or tenure-track faculty actively engaged in externally funded research involving undergraduate and graduate students.  The department enrolls approximately 250-300 undergraduate students in chemistry, forensic chemistry and chemistry secondary education.  Typically, more than half of the students enrolled in the chemistry department are forensic chemistry majors.  The department also houses the Master of Science in Forensic Science Program with 40 graduate students.  The department supports interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Science and MBBB (Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics).  Additional collaborative opportunities may be available with science faculty in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Computer Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences.

Forensic Science Programs:

The Undergraduate Forensic Chemistry and Master of Science in Forensic Science Programs are among the few programs that are both accredited at the same institution by the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Our world class faculty provide a strong science background to our graduate and undergraduate students utilizing a hands-on approach that prepares our graduates for a career in forensic science or an advanced degree. 

The undergraduate Forensic Chemistry Program enrolls 160-200 students and has three curriculum tracks students can pursue.  The undergraduate program is supported by the Chemistry Department Faculty who teach many of the lower level required courses leading to the upper-level forensic science courses.  The graduate Master of Science in Forensic Science Program enrolls 40 students who can pursue tracks in either Forensic Analytical Chemistry or Forensic Molecular Biochemistry (DNA).  Forensic science courses in undergraduate and graduate programs are taught by full-time tenured/tenure track forensic faculty, the program director and specialized part-time adjunct faculty.

The forensic science programs have professional relationships with a number of law enforcement and forensic specialty agencies.  Student internships, as well as shared research opportunities, are a critical component of these programs.  These opportunities with state, local and federal forensic science laboratories and private science laboratories have led to a 95% employment rate of our graduates.

Towson University:

Towson University was founded in 1866, is recognized by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, is Baltimore’s largest university, and is the largest public, comprehensive university in the University of Maryland System.  TU enrolls over 19,000 undergraduate and over 3,000 graduate students across 6 academic colleges and offers more than 65 bachelor’s , 45 master’s and 5 doctoral programs.  The main campus sits on 330 acres of rolling green acres in Towson, Maryland, the county seat of Baltimore County.  TU is 10 miles north of Baltimore City, 45 miles north of Washington, DC and 95 miles south of Philadelphia.

Application Process:

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. 

Applicants should submit a one-page cover letter, curriculum-vitae, copies of graduate transcripts, a three-page research statement, a one-page teaching statement, a one-page diversity statement, and letters of recommendation from two professional references.  

For additional information please contact the chair of the search committee, Director Mark Profili, mprofili@towson.edu

Please apply online via Towson University Open Faculty Positions.   Please note that the search number for which you have applied is FCSM-3629.

A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.

Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line applicant data form. The information you provide will inform the university's affirmative action plan and is for statistical-related purposes only. The information will not be used for any other purpose.