Chemistry - Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry Assistant Professor

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The mission of the College of Humanities and Sciences is to serve as the intellectual heart and soul of our institution and wider community. The College of Humanities and Sciences:

• Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens
• Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments
• Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities
• Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems

As the intellectual lifeblood of VCU and our community, the College of Humanities and Sciences seeks to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others-locally, globally and throughout time. Most importantly, our educational and research environment addresses an array of technological, health-related and societal problems, as well as providing profound insights and reflections of what it means to be human and humane..

Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for two non-tenure track positions at the Assistant Professor level in (1) General Chemistry and (2) Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry to begin in August 2025.

Position Responsibilities: We seek applicants who are excited about teaching chemistry to a diverse pool of undergraduate students and willing to participate in curriculum development directed on student-centered learning. These renewable instructional positions bring numerous opportunities for educating undergraduate students in VCU’s new, state-of-the-art STEM building, designed to encourage collaboration and community in the students’ foundational course work.

Required Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, experience teaching at the undergraduate level, and a commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds while fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred candidates should have deep knowledge of pedagogical best practices and an ongoing commitment to developing and maintaining knowledge in these areas. The position is at the level of an assistant professor, and there are university-wide procedures in place for faculty promotion to associate and then full professor.

VCU enrolls 29,500 students. Diversity is among our greatest assets and we strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment as we know this is the best approach to achieve universal excellence and success. Currently, 37% of incoming freshman at VCU are first-generation college students and 55% of undergraduate students are from minoritized backgrounds. Richmond is also a fantastic place to live with many cultural events taking place throughout the year including the Richmond Folk Festival and RVA Street Festival as well as great restaurants to indulge your culinary tastes.

The Department of Chemistry has 18 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 12 instructional term faculty appointments, 2 term facility directors, and approximately 300 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate students. VCU Chemistry attracts a diverse student population including women, students from historically underrepresented minoritized groups, and first-generation students. According to IPEDs (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; 2019), we were 4th in African American BS Chemistry degrees (2nd among non-HBCUs), 5th for women BS Chemistry degrees, and 9th for the total number of BS Chemistry degrees among 1137 Colleges and Universities in the USA. Further information can be found at the department website: https://chemistry.vcu.edu/.

Candidates need to submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a statement of teaching experience and interests, (3) a diversity and inclusion statement,* and (4) a complete curriculum vitae to https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/4556?c=vcu. In addition, the names of three references must be entered; these individuals will be asked to provide recommendation letters. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search committee chair, Debbie Polo (dlpolo@vcu.edu) with any questions about the position.

*Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion. For more information and guidelines, see https://faculty.provost.vcu.edu/prospective-faculty/

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, Affirmative Action University providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.