Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Biochemistry Category:

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Chemistry and Biochemistry Locations:

El Paso, TX Posted:

Sep 1, 2026

Closes:

Open Until Filled Type:

Full-time Ref. No.: 27-COS-04

Position ID:

204341 Share About The University of Texas at

El Paso:

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1, Opportunity, and Community-Engaged university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls more than 26,000 students, 84% of whom are Hispanic and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. UTEP offers 169 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America. The city's location on the Rio Grande in the Southwest where two countries and three states meet makes it an ideal venue for academic programs and research studies on topics of national interest, including bilingual education/language acquisition, health and health disparities, international relations, international trade, migration, and environmental sustainability and infrastructure. The University enjoys strategic partnerships with two Department of Energy national laboratories in the region, multiple national laboratories beyond the region, and sits on the edge of White Sands Missile Range, making engineering and scientific research both a priority and an opportunity. Along with its designation among the top 5% of universities in America for research, UTEP is also nationally recognized as an Opportunity University by the Carnegie Classification for its positive impact on economic mobility for students after graduation. In 2024, Forbes found that UTEP students graduate with the lowest average debt of any college or university in Texas. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, El Paso is set against the backdrop of the Franklin Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert in one of the largest binational communities in the world. The city's active arts and culture community features the state's longest-running symphony orchestra, a nationally recognized chamber music festival, a vibrant street art and mural scene, art galleries, museums, and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. In 2024, El Paso opened La Nube, a unique hybrid institution that merges the educational aspects of a science center with the interactive experiences of a children's museum. UTEP adds to the arts and entertainment scene with concerts and live events at the city's largest indoor and outdoor venues; theater, music and dance productions; contemporary and student art galleries; and a natural history museum and desert gardens. El Paso residents can also easily travel to the sister city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to enjoy great food, markets and cultural events. El Paso/Juárez is the fifth largest manufacturing region in North America and the center of commerce, education and health services for the region. A family-oriented community, the cost of living in El Paso is very reasonable for a large metropolitan area with the average home value of $224,000 in 2025. In 2026, U.S. News and World report named El Paso the best big city to live in the nation.

Texas has no state income tax and, when it comes to public safety, El Paso is consistently ranked among the safest large cities in the United States. El Paso is also an ideal location for people who love the outdoors. It is home to one of the nation's largest urban parks - Franklin Mountains State Park - and many options for year-round hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing at Hueco Tanks State Park and nearby White Sands, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns national parks. For sports fans, the UTEP Miners offer exciting Division I college athletics at several campus venues including Sun Bowl Stadium - where one of the oldest football bowl games takes place annually - and the Don Haskins Center arena. Southwest University Park, located a mile away in lively downtown El Paso, is home to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and the El Paso Locomotive FC, a professional soccer team founded in 2019.

Job Description:

College of Science UTEP's College of Science brings together five academic departments: Biological Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; and Physics. Research and education within the College extend from fundamental scientific discovery to applied work addressing challenges in human health, energy, materials, the environment, and data-intensive science. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate directly in research and to collaborate across traditional disciplinary boundaries. As part of an R1 university, the College provides a setting in which faculty members pursue nationally and internationally significant scholarship while preparing students for careers in research, healthcare, education, industry, government, and public service. The College also advances UTEP's broader mission through scientific outreach, community engagement, and partnerships within and beyond the border region. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees and supports a broad portfolio of research in chemistry, biochemistry, and related fields. Areas of faculty expertise include analytical, environmental, inorganic, medicinal, materials, and organic chemistry, as well as biochemistry and interdisciplinary research at the interfaces of these fields. Department faculty value high-quality instruction, innovative research, and close mentorship at every stage of a student's education. Students receive preparation for a wide range of professional paths, including academic and industrial research, government and national laboratories, healthcare, and the health professions. The Department's location within a highly collaborative College of Science creates additional opportunities for interdisciplinary training and research. Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. The anticipated appointment date is Fall 2027. Rank and tenure status will be determined based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. The Department seeks a biochemist whose research focuses on post-translational modifications (PTMs) or a closely related area. Relevant research may include, but is not limited to, protein phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, or other chemical and enzymatic modifications that regulate protein function, stability, localization, signaling, and cellular physiology. Candidates whose work incorporates proteomics, mass spectrometry, chemical biology, structural biochemistry, molecular and cellular biochemistry, or complementary emerging approaches are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will establish and maintain an innovative, externally funded research program; publish significant scholarly work; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biochemistry; mentor undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students; and contribute service to the Department, College, University, profession, and community. Teaching responsibilities may include the Department's core Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II courses, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate courses related to the candidate's expertise. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to develop specialized courses in areas such as post-translational modifications, proteomics, chemical biology, and contemporary biochemical methods. The new faculty member will join a growing biochemistry program characterized by strong student demand and opportunities for collaboration in biochemistry, chemical biology, structural biology, molecular and cellular biology, biomedical research, and related fields. The position is expected to broaden the Department's research portfolio, expand its biochemistry curriculum, strengthen graduate education and research mentorship, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations across UTEP. This faculty appointment will support UTEP's mission of advancing discovery, increasing student participation in research, strengthening collaborative partnerships, and preparing a diverse scientific workforce to address regional, national, and global challenges.

Requirements:

All applicants must have: A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in biochemistry, chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, or a closely related discipline by the anticipated start date. A record of research accomplishments in biochemistry or a closely related field appropriate to the applicant's career stage. The ability to develop and sustain an independent, externally funded research program. The ability to teach biochemistry effectively at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The ability and commitment to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in coursework and research. The ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and students across academic disciplines and backgrounds. Effective oral and written communication skills. For appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, applicants must demonstrate: Evidence of the potential to establish a productive, independent, and externally funded research program. Evidence of the potential for effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and student mentorship. For appointment at the rank of Associate Professor, applicants must also demonstrate: A sustained record of significant scholarly achievement and peer-reviewed publication. A record of effective undergraduate or graduate teaching and student mentorship. A record of obtaining external research support. Accomplishments sufficient to meet UTEP's requirements for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure. For appointment at the rank of Professor, applicants must also demonstrate: A sustained and distinguished record of scholarly achievement and national or international recognition in their field. A sustained record of effective teaching and mentorship of undergraduate or graduate students. A sustained record of external research support and leadership of an independent research program. Accomplishments sufficient to meet UTEP's requirements for appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate one or more of the following: Research expertise in post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, or related mechanisms that regulate protein function and cellular processes. Expertise in proteomics, mass spectrometry, chemical biology, molecular and cellular biochemistry, structural biochemistry, or other modern biochemical and analytical methods. A research program addressing important questions related to human health or disease, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, immune regulation, or other areas of fundamental or translational biomedical significance. A record of, or strong potential for, collaboration with UTEP researchers in biochemistry, chemistry, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, pharmacy, materials science, data science, or other health-related disciplines. Postdoctoral research experience or equivalent advanced professional research experience. Evidence of success in, or strong potential for, securing competitive external research funding. A record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications appropriate to the applicant's career stage. Evidence of effective and innovative teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level. Experience developing advanced courses, laboratory modules, or research-based learning activities in biochemistry or related fields. A strong record of mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers. Experience supporting the academic and professional success of students from a broad range of educational and personal backgrounds, including first-generation college students. The potential to contribute to the continued growth of UTEP's undergraduate and graduate programs in biochemistry.

Additional Information:

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312. For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu . To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

Application Instructions:

Application materials must include: Cover letter. Applicants should indicate whether they wish to be considered for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, or more than one rank. Curriculum vitae. Research statement describing the applicant's prior research accomplishments and future plans for establishing and sustaining an independent, externally funded research program. Teaching and mentoring statement describing the applicant's teaching philosophy, teaching and mentoring experience, and approaches to promoting student learning and success. Professional references. Applicants must provide the names and contact information of at least three professional references. Candidates applying at the Associate Professor or Professor rank may also be asked to provide additional references, as required, during the final stage of the appointment process. Evaluation of applications will begin upon receipt and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Chuan (River) Xiao, Chair of the Search Committee, at cxiao@utep.edu. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Powered by