Assistant Teaching Professor, lower division chemistry - Santa Clara University : Job Details

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Santa Clara University is seeking an Assistant Teaching Professor beginning Fall 2026. Santa Clara University is a highly ranked Jesuit, Catholic university with an ACS-approved undergraduate program and is located in the Silicon Valley. As with most of the departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is a strictly undergraduate program. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Santa Clara University seeks an Assistant Teaching Professor in lower-division chemistry with a primary focus on teaching the general chemistry lecture and laboratory. Responsibilities include teaching seven chemistry courses over three academic quarters, professional activities that contribute to teaching chemistry and development of the lab portion of the course, departmental service that includes coordination of general chemistry labs, and additional service to the Departmental, College, and University.

The successful candidate will have a mentor appointed to assist them as they begin at SCU. Assistant Teaching Professors are appointed for a term of three years. Reappointment to subsequent terms of three years are possible, but are dependent upon three factors: evidence of superior teaching, professional activity, and service; persistent programmatic need in the curricular area defining the position; and availability of funding. Promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and then to Teaching Professor is possible under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Qualifications: Required

• A Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, or a closely allied field is required to be completed by September 1, 2026.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching at the university or college level.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Capable of performing service activities in the Department, College, University, and Profession.
• Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that have been proven to be effective teaching methods, especially those that increase persistence in STEM.

Starting Date September 1, 2026

Application Deadline Review of applications will begin on September 19, 2025

Responsibilities: Faculty responsibilities are specified by the Santa Clara University Faculty Handbook (sec. 3.6). Duties include but are not limited to the following: 1. Teaching a standard load of seven courses per year, consisting of lower-division chemistry courses largely focused on general chemistry lecture and laboratory. 2. Conducting all class meetings and exams, including holding the final exam at the scheduled time; 3. Holding regular office hours each week on campus; 4. Assigning and submitting grades to the Registrar by the designated deadline; 5. Administering narrative evaluations approved by the Chair of the Department for each course taught; 6. Serving as an advisor to assigned students; 7. Fulfilling other academic duties as may be assigned by the Dean of the College or the Chair of the Department.; 8. As appropriate to rank, engage in service to the Department, College, University, and Profession, (as specified by the Santa Clara University Faculty Handbook - sec. 3.4A, 3.6), such as serving on committees, participating in professional organizations and activities, participating in and providing support for department and campus events; 9. Participate in professional activity that is appropriate to the discipline and that contributes to their primary responsibility for teaching. Note: Assistant Teaching Professors shall not be held to the same standards of scholarship as tenure-track faculty.

Special Instructions for Applicants: Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter
• Curriculum vitae.
• Personal statement addressing teaching philosophy, professional activities related to chemistry, and experience working with students.
• Teaching portfolio demonstrating evidence of excellence in teaching such as class materials used by the applicant to teach chemistry lecture and laboratory courses, such as syllabi, exams, laboratory assignments, slides, lecture notes, student teaching evaluations, and/or peer observations of teaching.
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage)
• Contact information for three references who can comment specifically on the candidate's teaching ability.

Applicants are invited to visit the University's website (www.scu.edu) for background on Santa Clara's mission, scope of programs and degrees offered, faculty opportunities for interdisciplinary programs and research, and the Integrated Strategic Plan (Impact 2030). The successful candidate will be able to address ways in which she/he can help the University achieve its goals.

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at , (408) ###-####, [email protected]. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) ###-####. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-###-#### and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-###-#### or by email at [email protected].