Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Tenure Track) job in Aurora

Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Tenure Track)

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Aurora University seeks talented faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning. As a private institution, Aurora University expects faculty to be involved in the lives of students through mentoring, student support, enrollment initiatives, and other activities related to the college experience. To facilitate this highly interactive faculty/student relationship, the typical teaching load is three 4 credit-hour courses per semester. Student advising is supported by professional staff. Undergraduate faculty share in the delivery of the general education program, most often by teaching within the university's interdisciplinary core. Evidence of successful teaching, or a strong potential for successful teaching, is required for all positions. Experience teaching at a smaller, private institution is highly preferred.

Position Purpose: The College of Health and Sciences at Aurora University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Chemistry. The candidate will be instrumental in teaching first-year general chemistry lectures and labs. Special attention will be paid to faculty candidates with expertise in teaching first-year gateway science courses. The candidate will also strengthen the chemistry program by teaching upper-level chemistry courses, including analytical chemistry, instrumental methods, and will potentially teach general education courses. Interest in analytical instrumentation and science education is strongly recommended. This position is a 9-month academic appointment with the possibility of an additional summer appointment contingent upon the need and availability of funds, beginning fall of 2024.

Essential Job Functions: The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses that span chemistry to a diverse student population as well as engage in research, grants, and service projects that will strengthen the university community. The successful candidate will also work well in a highly collaborative departmental environment and provide service to the university. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Faculty typically teach 12 credits per term and have opportunities for service and professional growth and development. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with other STEM departments as well as build external partnerships that will provide experiential learning opportunities for chemistry majors.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education: Applicants must have earned a PhD in chemistry or a relevant STEM field. Current certifications related to the field are encouraged, as well as prior teaching experience.

Experience: Industry experience and/or teaching experience preferred. Ability to work and collaborate with all department faculty is necessary. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) skills and knowledge are desirable as AU is a Hispanic-serving institution.

Skills: Demonstrate commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment. Expertise in teaching first-year science courses. Demonstrated effective written, oral communication, and/or presentation skills. Commitment to staying current in the field. Mentoring undergraduate students.

Physical Requirements: Ability to interact with individuals, either in person or via technology. Ability to be physically present in class and during office hours. Ability to demonstrate physical activities relevant to the profession.