Description

This position in the Department of Chemistry is expected to teach introductory and advanced chemistry and biochemistry courses for science majors as well as non-science majors. Faculty are expected to mentor students; contribute to the department/program; engage in scholarship appropriate to their field; and provide service to the University, the community and their profession. Faculty will integrate CWU’s vision, mission, and values and create a learning environment that fosters student success and institutional excellence.

This is an in-person position located at the Ellensburg campus and is a Tenure Track, 9-month Appointment. Additional Summer teaching may be available.

Requirements

Required qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

        Must have earned a PhD in biochemistry or chemistry or related field by the position start date

        Must show evidence of ability to be an excellent teacher at all levels.

        Willingness to teach a wide range of courses at all levels and modalities.

        Must show evidence of ability to conduct independent research involving undergraduate and MS graduate students.

Teaching, research, service or other experience that has prepared the candidate to contribute to CWU’s commitment to the engagement of students from a variety of backgrounds.

Preferred qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

        University-level teaching experience

        Postdoctoral research or employment in a field of biochemistry

        Experience in curriculum development and improvement

        Potential to obtain external funding

        Experience working in a collaborative environment designed for broad student success.

        Demonstrated interest in promoting institutional excellence in classrooms and academic work environments. 

        Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.

Job Duties

Faculty are bound to observe in all official acts the highest standards of ethics consistent with the State of Washington statutes, the regulations of the Executive Ethics Board and its advisory opinions, the policies of the University Board of Trustees, and the University Student Rights and Responsibilities.

The primary professional responsibilities of tenured and tenure-track faculty members are teaching, scholarship, and service.

Teaching:  

Classroom and laboratory instruction in regular academic courses with assigned workload units; preparation of student materials for classes; preparation of a new course or substantial revision of an older course; supervision of student teaching assistants, as applicable, including weekly meetings; general mentoring of undergraduate students; supervision of graduate student theses and research projects; supervision of undergraduate theses and research projects; attend classes as scheduled and maintain office hours; and other activities benefiting students' academic development.

Scholarship/Creative Activity: 

Mentoring research with undergraduate and/or graduate students in the chemistry department, building a research program that demonstrates national or international recognition as evidenced by publications and external funding during the tenure period at CWU.  Presentation of research by the faculty member and CWU students at regional, national or international professional conferences is encouraged.

Service: 

An Assistant Professor at CWU is required to participate in service activities to obtain tenure. Some examples of these include:

University service: work on recognized administrative, department, college, or university committees; participate in accreditation and/or program development; serve as department chair, director, or program coordinator; and other tasks as deemed necessary by the University.

Professional service: serve on grant, journal, or accreditation review boards, or as an ad hoc reviewer in the faculty's area of expertise; serve as an officer in a professional society; organize and/or chair conferences, symposia, seminars, etc.; teach short courses, seminars, etc. that are not regular academic courses; edit journals, books, special volumes of papers, etc. 

Public service: serve in organized, non-remunerative, educational and consultative activities which relate to a faculty's professional expertise and further the interests or prestige of the University.  

Working conditions

Work is performed in an indoor office and laboratory settings with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation or stand for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required. Chemistry laboratories, both teaching and research, will adhere to departmental, university, state, and national safety guidelines.

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

* A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in this position and clearly demonstrating how your education and experience qualifies you to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting. This statement should include the following components: 
(a) how you meet the required and preferred qualifications;
(b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting (applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further CWU's commitment to access and opportunity);
* Share a research statement, limited to five pages, that describes your plans for development of a research program at CWU
* Curriculum Vitae including work history, education, and training 
* Statement of teaching philosophy
* Unofficial copies of transcripts of degrees held
* In addition to the online application, please provide three professional letters of recommendation e-mailed directly to chemistry@cwu.edu (At least one letter that specifically comments on teaching ability or the potential to be a successful teacher)

Screening Begins: September 16, 2026

Sponsorship is not available for this position.

**NOTE:  Although copies of transcripts are acceptable for application purposes, all job offers are contingent upon verification of highest degree. Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.