Assistant Professor of Biochemistry – Computational Biophysics and Molecular Dynamics in Honolulu, Hawaii at University of Hawaii
Job Description
Title: Assistant Professor of Biochemistry – Computational Biophysics and Molecular Dynamics
Position Number: 82624
Hiring Unit: College of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry
Location: University of Hawai?i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai?i
Date Posted: 11/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous recruitment until filled; review of applications begins 12/01/2026
Salary Information: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Monthly Type: 9 Month
Tenure Track: Tenure-track
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Other Conditions
Anticipated start date: August 1, 2027. Appointment is subject to applicable university approvals and availability of funds. Degree requirements must be completed by the effective date of appointment.
Position Description
The Department of Chemistry in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Hawai?i at Manoa invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Physical Biochemistry and Biophysics at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek an scientist whose research is primarily computational or data-driven and who will establish or maintain an innovative, independent, externally funded research program. Areas of interest include computational biochemistry, molecular dynamics simulations, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence and machine learning for biomolecular research, systems biology, biomolecular condensates and liquid–liquid phase separation, chromatin organization and genome architecture, multiscale modeling, and related fields. Seeking an applicant with experience in developing quantitative approaches to understand the structure, dynamics, evolution, and function of biological systems from molecular to cellular scales.
This appointment will strengthen instruction in physical biochemistry and related quantitative courses and complement departmental strengths in computational chemistry, structural biology, and bioinformatics. The candidate will have opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers in biology, medicine, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and data science, and will contribute to the training and mentoring of biochemistry majors and graduate researchers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and sustain a vigorous, independent, primarily computational or data-driven research program in physical biochemistry, biophysics, or a closely related field, including pursuit of competitive external funding.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biochemistry and chemistry, including physical biochemistry and courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise.
- Advise, supervise, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and academic development.
- Participate in curriculum development and contribute to quantitative training in undergraduate and graduate biochemistry programs.
- Engage in appropriate service to the Department, College, University, profession, and broader community; foster interdisciplinary research collaborations.
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, or a closely related field by the effective date of appointment.
- Evidence of scholarly research productivity in physical biochemistry, biophysics, computational biochemistry, or a closely related field, and potential to develop an independent, externally funded research program.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry.
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Computational Biology, or a closely related field by the effective date of appointment.
- Evidence of scholarly research productivity in physical biochemistry, biophysics, computational biochemistry, or a closely related field, and potential to develop an independent, externally funded research program.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry.
- A demonstrated record of an independent, productive, externally funded research program in a relevant field.
- Four or more years of professional experience at the Assistant Professor rank or equivalent
- Postdoctoral or equivalent independent research experience.
- Strong peer-reviewed publication record and a compelling plan to pursue external research support.
- Expertise in computational or data-driven research, such as molecular dynamics, AI/ML, bioinformatics, systems biology, multiscale modeling, biomolecular condensates, or chromatin organization.
- Potential to contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in physical biochemistry.
- Evidence of effective teaching, mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scholarly communication.
To Apply
Submit the following application materials through NeoGov. Applicants should identify the position in the cover letter:
- Cover letter explaining interest in the position and addressing the minimum and desirable qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
- Research statement describing accomplishments, future directions, and plans for external funding (up to 3 pages).
- Teaching and mentoring statement describing experience, philosophy, and planned contributions to undergraduate and graduate education (up to 2 pages).
- Names and contact information (email and telephone) for three professional references. Additional materials, including references and official transcripts, may be requested at a later stage.
- Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
Ellinor Haglund, Search Committee Chair, Department of Chemistry, ellinorh@hawaii.edu
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
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