Summary: The Chemistry Department at Grand Valley State University invites applications for an assistant professor, full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position to start August 6, 2024. The Department values candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and inclusive undergraduate education and value the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with a diverse population of students and colleagues. We welcome applicants from any area of specialization who have interest in teaching 100 and 200-level courses, particularly those serving nursing/pre-professional students. These include general, organic, and biochemistry courses.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field; ABD candidate will be considered for a two-year contract with the provision that the Ph.D. must be completed by December 2025.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching and research involving undergraduate students.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Interest in teaching 100 and 200-level general, organic and biochemistry courses, particularly those serving nursing/pre-professional students.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This could include experience using inclusive teaching practices; research relating to minoritzed populations or social inequality; community-based outreach to minoritized and underserved communities; other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship, and/or service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in teaching 100 and 200-level general, organic and biochemistry courses, particularly those serving nursing/pre-professional students.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching undergraduate science courses.
• Provide undergraduate research opportunities in biochemistry or related interdisciplinary fields that may include, but are not limited to, bioorganic, bioinorganic, biophysical, chemical biology, or biochemistry education.

Responsibilities: Duties each semester include a 9-credit hour teaching load, baseline scholarship and service, and a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and/or service depending on the candidate's interests and the department’s needs. Teaching responsibilities will include chemistry and biochemistry courses for science, pre-professional and allied health majors, and possibly other courses in the GVSU chemistry and biochemistry curriculum. Opportunities to teach advanced courses in the area of expertise are possible. Faculty are expected to maintain an active scholarship program that includes mentoring undergraduate research students. We support opportunities for collaboration with other GVSU faculty and are interested in new and emerging fields that can contribute to diversifying the expertise in our department. Faculty are also expected to contribute service to the Department, College, University, and/or community.

Salary/Benefits

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit Benefits and Wellness - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

Department/College: The GVSU Department of Chemistry is committed to high quality undergraduate education, placing an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. We offer bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry, a Chemistry Education concentration, and a Green Chemistry Certificate. Our over 40 full time faculty and staff serve our 200 plus chemistry and biochemistry majors along with students from several other science majors. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

Campus/University: Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovation and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How to Apply: The online application will allow applicants to attach the following documents electronically. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Email questions about the position to: Rachel Powers (powersra@gvsu.edu).

A complete application must include:

1. a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU
2. curriculum vitae
3. teaching philosophy
4. a brief summary of scholarship/research activities, including research projects appropriate for undergraduate students and a statement of facilities, equipment, and instrumentation needs (detailed equipment budgets are not necessary with the initial application) - Upload this to the 'Other Documents' section on the application form.
5. a statement that describes ongoing and anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research/creative activity, and service, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body. Upload this to the 'Other Documents' section on the application form.
6. graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply). Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.

Applicants must also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to the Search Committee. Letters should be sent as e-mail attachments to chmdept@gvsu.edu (use “Biochemistry Reference Letter” as the subject line). If necessary, letters may be sent by regular mail to: Biochemistry Search Committee, Chemistry Department, 312 Padnos Hall, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401.

Application Deadline: The review process will begin on September 29, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.