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Faculty Positions

Department of Chemistry

Northwestern University

Assistant Professor of Research (Job ID: 51980) 

Director of Mass Spectrometry at the Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research Center (IMSERC) Facility

 

Job Summary

The Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Research to serve as a member of the scientific directors, specifically the Director of Mass Spectrometry, research-track (non-tenure track) faculty in the Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research Center (IMSERC) facility, beginning on or before September 1, 2025. This position is a full-time, benefits eligible, 11-month, continuing faculty position with an initial appointment term of three years and with the possibility of promotion to Associate and Full Professor of Research as a career trajectory. The Department of Chemistry fosters a collaborative and dynamic environment dedicated to excellence in scientific research, innovation and education. As part of Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, we support a vibrant undergraduate and graduate program, as well as post-doctoral and visiting scholars training programs.

This position will involve directing the mass spectrometry operations within the IMSERC facility, including, but not limited to, managing 11 mass spectrometers (LC, GC, and MALDI), leading a team of mass spectrometry staff scientists to maintain a 24/7 open-access lab, developing and optimizing analytical methods, providing Ph.D.-level data interpretation, supporting research collaborations, overseeing training and education efforts, classroom and laboratory instruction, and expanding IMSERC’s capabilities through outreach, funding acquisition, and strategic growth all inside the analytical focus of mass spectrometry. Additionally, Northwestern University’s dynamic academic community provides abundant opportunities for intellectual growth and career advancement. This is a full-time, hybrid-capable position, working under the Professor of Research and IMSERC Director with most days expected to be on-site (about 10-20% work-from-home capability). The target hiring range for this position will be between $90,000-120,000 per year.  Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal comparators and alignment with market data. Additionally, hiring rank of Assistant Professor of Research is potentially negotiable if desirable qualifications and experience are highly met or exceeded.

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field (preferred), which must be conferred by September 1, 2025, and a primary career interest in mass spectrometry research support and education. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated excellence, breadth, and innovation in mass spectrometry research and experience. A specific desire to recruit an individual having lipidomics and/or mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) expertise would be preferred. 

Applicants should submit: (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement (three pages max) and (4) contact information for and letters from three references, at least two of whom can discuss the candidate's research qualifications specific to mass spectrometry. 

 

POSITION AVAILABLE: On or before September 1, 2025. 

 

TO APPLY: Application materials (cover letter, CV, research statement, and three letters of recommendation) should be submitted to the application link found HERE (https://facultyrecruiting.northwestern.edu/apply/MjM2Ng==) by June 16, 2025. To ensure full consideration, completed applications should be received by this date. Questions regarding the position should be sent to IMSERC-director@northwestern.edu.  

 

Overview of IMSERC

The Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research Center (IMSERC) at Northwestern University (NU) supports research across multiple disciplines by providing access to and education on advanced analytical instrumentation and expertise. IMSERC maintains a suite of mass spectrometers, NMR spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, chromatographs, and optical spectrometers to facilitate research and education. It also offers targeted MS quantitation and screening of drugs and metabolites through the Clinical and Pharmacology Core, housed inside of its MS area. 

IMSERC was formed within the Chemistry Department, originally, but it has served the entire Northwestern research enterprise and analytical needs within these technologies for its modern history; thus, its user base encompasses an extremely diverse scope of research needs. IMSERC is the central and only analytical facility within the University for the listed techniques, except MS-based proteomics (which is a unique mass spectrometry facility being separately managed and located in the Chicago campus). 

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities of IMSERC Director of Mass Spectrometry 

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Working Conditions


Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

 

Applications accepted herehttps://facultyrecruiting.northwestern.edu/apply/MjM2Ng==

 

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

 

Staff Positions

For open staff positions, please visit the Northwestern Human Resources website

Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to fostering a diverse faculty. Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.