CHEMISTRY - Faculty-Chemistry

Job Classification

  Faculty Full-Time (75-100%)

Position summary

The ACS-approved Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Andrews University seeks applications for a tenure-track position in biochemistry to commence in July 2024.  

The successful candidate will:

• Mentor and inspire undergraduate students to excellence in faith-reflective professionalism.


• Teach biochemistry and chemistry courses and labs.


• Champion undergraduate research in biochemistry.


• Provide collegial service to the department, university, and community.


• Promote an all-inclusive, equitable learning environment, and be comfortable working in a culturally and demographically diverse community.

Qualifications summary

An earned Ph.D. in biochemistry or a closely related academic field is required. Candidates close to degree completion may be considered.

The review of candidates will commence in October 2023.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate will inspire and equip majors for subsequent advanced study or direct entry into the workforce.  

They also will participate fully in department life, including outreach, recruitment, student advising, mentoring, and department student life events, as well as research, teaching, and pedagogy.  

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  Model the integration of Christ-centered faith with the discipline.
  

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  In the area of teaching, the successful candidates will:
  
  
  
  
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    Teach engaging undergraduate courses and labs, especially the upper-division biochemistry sequence. Consistent with a full-time teaching load, additional teaching duties within the department would be expected for non-majors courses and/or majors courses at the upper- or lower-division level.  
    
  
  
  
  


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  Foster an excellent student learning environment that accounts for and enriches a diverse community of students.
  

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  Provide regular and timely assessment of student progress.
  


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  Be flexible and innovative with teaching styles and approaches as appropriate to the class content and students.
  


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  Periodically evaluate existing courses or develop new courses, where necessary, consistent with the role and mission of the institution, school, and department.
  

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  In Research & Scholarship, the successful candidate will:
  

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  Establish a research program that gives undergraduate students experience with the scholarship of discovery and communicating results to the broader scientific community.  
  


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  Engage with the scholarly community by attending and presenting at scholarly forums, workshops, etc.
  


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  Produce scholarly materials such as manuscripts, articles, book reviews, etc. 
  

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  In the area of service, the successful candidates will:
  

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  Engage in appropriate professional development to maintain and enhance performance as a faculty member.
  


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  Serve as an academic advisor to guide students through their academic journey at Andrews and towards the next step in their life calling.
  


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  Collegially interact with colleagues:  faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
  


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  Engage with departmental, college, university, and community service projects and committees. 
  

Supervisory responsibilities

Supervisory responsibilities for student workers who serve as teaching assistants, research assistants, and graders. This includes:

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  Identifying student workers to support the department.
  


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  Equipping student workers for success with training, including safety training.
  


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  Supervising student workers' work.
  


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  Supporting students' growth and success in their assigned tasks. 
  

Qualifications

The university seeks vibrant applicants dedicated to integrating their SDA Christian faith with their field of biochemistry.  A Ph.D. (or equivalent) in biochemistry or parallel discipline (molecular biology, biological chemistry, etc.) from an accredited institution.   Candidates who are very close to degree conferral will be considered.

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  Ability and knowledge to teach upper-division biochemistry courses and other assigned courses in the department.
  

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  Track record of research engagement and publication in peer-reviewed literature.
  

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  Demonstrated strength in oral and written communication, organization, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. 
  

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  History of positive outcomes of teaching and/or mentoring.  Demonstrated ability to utilize different methods and media in delivering course materials.  Strive for excellence and growth in student learning.  
  

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  Ability to adapt to changing environments.
  

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  The successful candidate will also demonstrate:
  
  
  
  
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    Enthusiasm for the discipline of biochemistry.
    
  
  
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    A vibrant Christian faith that informs their profession.
    
  
  
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    Model a commitment to SDA (Seventh-day Adventist) Christian education and the mission of Andrews University.
    
  
  
  
  

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Technical competencies include: 

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  Knowledge of modern biochemistry lab and related information technology techniques and methods; the ability to mentor students to develop these skills.
  


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  Evaluate and use appropriate technology for engaging student learning opportunities.
  


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  Current knowledge and experience in the use of information and computer applications and learning management systems or proven ability to learn such skills.
  


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  Must be familiar with and willing to handle and manage chemicals safely and in alignment with best lab practices.
  


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  Professional communication in person, over the telephone, through email, and other electronic means.
  


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  Experience in non-academic professional environments related to biochemistry is also encouraged.
  

Interpersonal interactions

In all ways, the successful candidate must be willing to respect varying backgrounds, goals, roles, and skill levels in the departmental community.

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  Fosters an inviting environment in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department balanced with promoting and supporting high standards of scientific and academic excellence.  
  


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  Interacts with students daily in large (50+) and small (~5) classes, labs, or one-on-one mentoring conversations.  
  


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  Teaches in the undergraduate classroom and laboratory in an engaging way.
  


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  Provides engaged service to the department, school/college, university, and community on appropriate committees and projects.  
  


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  Mentors students in research, honors projects, academic advising, and career development.
  


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  Exhibits encouraging and empathetic perspectives in interactions with diverse student populations.
  


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  Displays excellent, professional interpersonal skills.
  


• Commits to collegiality and teamwork with students, peer faculty, staff, and administrators.

Physical demands

A successful candidate will meet the physical demands described here as essential functions of this job. 

Candidates must be able to transport and arrange standard chemistry and biochemistry teaching laboratory and presentation equipment and supplies.  Occasionally, faculty members need to move and lift boxes or containers with chemicals, solutions, or supplies of up to 30 lbs.  

The individual will stand for periods of time in a classroom or laboratory. Work on a computer or electronic device for long periods of time. Work in a chemical laboratory and stockroom.

Work environment

The work environment in Halenz Hall would include a private office, chemistry and biochemistry teaching laboratories, conference rooms, classrooms, a chemical stockroom, a departmental office, instrument rooms, and a 150-seat amphitheater.  Work in close proximity to other faculty, staff, and students.  Andrews University hosts a modern multi-building academic campus located in a campus-wide arboretum.  Most students live on campus. 

 

Andrews University is the only SDA institution of higher education whose Chemistry & Biochemistry program has been approved by the American Chemical Society since 1976.