Description

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Bates College, a private, highly selective liberal arts college in Maine, invites applications for up to five Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) positions to begin July 1, 2026. The positions each carry a five-course annual teaching load including some subset of general chemistry (lecture and lab), analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry (lecture and lab) (course descriptions may be found here). Other opportunities available include supervising senior thesis students and professional development programing offered by the college. 

Bates students come from a diversity of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, and we are committed to each student’s success. Thus, candidates’ teaching statements should include evidence of their skills and experience supporting a diverse student body. We encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized groups and from those who may have followed non-traditional pathways to higher education due to societal, economic, or academic circumstances.

Applications should include:
1. a cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in teaching at a small four-year liberal arts college and which courses listed above you are prepared to teach.
2. a curriculum vitae;
3. a teaching statement which addresses the applicant’s preparation to teach in general chemistry and other areas of chemistry, including labs. The statement should also describe the applicant’s experience with, and interest in, applying inclusive pedagogy.

The search committee will request letters of recommendation from three referees for short-listed candidates. Applications will be reviewed starting Friday, February 27 2026, and continue until the positions are filled. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of degree.

Bates College is a residential liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine—a diverse and growing community roughly 45 minutes from Portland, the state’s largest city, 2 ½ hours north of Boston, and 4 ½ hours south of Montreal. Visiting faculty’s scholarship and creative work at Bates are robustly supported with access to competitive internal grant opportunities, and a well-staffed external grants office. Support for developing Community-engaged learning courses through the Harward Center and pedagogical development and innovation is further buttressed by the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning.

Educational access and racial justice are central to Bates’ history and mission and our faculty-led initiatives reflect this commitment. 

Requirements

Qualifications: Candidates must complete a Ph.D. before July 2026.