Description
The Department of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a non-tenure track position (renewable) at the Assistant Professor level in (1) General Chemistry and (2) Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry to begin in August 2026.
We seek applicants who are excited about teaching general chemistry to undergraduate students and are willing to participate in curriculum development focused on student-centered learning. This position offers numerous opportunities to educate undergraduate students in VCU’s new, state-of-the-art STEM building, designed to foster collaboration and community among students during their foundational coursework. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related field, experience teaching at the undergraduate level, and a commitment to working with students from different backgrounds while fostering a supportive learning environment. Preferred candidates should possess in-depth knowledge of pedagogical best practices and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continually developing and maintaining this expertise. All candidates must have a demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU. 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.
Candidates need to submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a teaching, mentoring, and student engagement, statement and (3) a complete curriculum vitae to
General Chemistry: https://vcujobs.com/jobs/assistant-professor-general-chemistry-department-of-chemistry-vcu-main-campus-virginia-united-states
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry: https://vcujobs.com/jobs/assistant-professor-organic-chemistry-department-of-chemistry-vcu-main-campus-virginia-united-states
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 general chemistry search committee chair, Dr. Derek Behmke, at behmked@vcu.edu or the Organic Chemistry search committee chair, Dr. Suzanne Ruder, at sruder@vcu.edu, with any questions.
Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 29,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $550 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2025. Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia’s many wineries. It’s within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies.
The Department of Chemistry has 18 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 16 teaching term faculty appointments, 2 term facility directors, and approximately 300 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate students. Further information can be found at the department website: https://chemistry.vcu.edu/.
Requirements
Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related field
