Chemistry and Biochemistry, Assistant Professor

Tenure Track Faculty Position
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department (Analytical or Organic)

College of Science

 

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.   Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn-by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model .

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university’s nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus’s more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master’s degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 2 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 15 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility , and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. 

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour’s drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the university, please visit www.cpp.edu , and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

Student Population.  California residents comprise the majority (96%) of applicants to undergraduate programs at Cal Poly Pomona, and 41% of new students were transfers in Fall 2022.  57% of Cal Poly Pomona students are first generation, 70% receive financial aid, and 44% qualify as Pell-eligible.  The university enrolls a diverse student body that identifies as 53% Latinx, 22% Asian, 14% White, 3% Black, 2% International, 4% two or more races, 3% unknown and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Native Pacific Islander and less than 1% Native American Indigenous. Thirty-nine percent of the student body were STEM majors with the top enrolled programs including psychology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, biology and computer science.

Inclusive Excellence and Student Success.  We aspire to be the model inclusive polytechnic university in the nation. We have a strong commitment to inclusive excellence and to educational experiences that leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences needed to succeed and thrive in a diverse society.

*As a part of the application for faculty positions, all candidates must submit a Student Success Statement that demonstrates their commitment and record of contributions to diversity and equity through their teaching, scholarship, or service by speaking to at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria below. 

Candidates should explain how they have engaged in the criteria below in their pedagogy, scholarship, and/or service, as well as the level to which these efforts have been consistently incorporated into their work.

Inclusive Excellence Criteria:

Incorporates the contributions and struggles of historic ethnic minority groups or other disadvantaged communities into their teaching, scholarly work, and/or service contributions;

Adopts teaching strategies that support the learning and success of students from diverse student populations;

Mentors and engages diverse student populations in discovery, scholarship, and creative activities;

Engages students in problem-based projects and learning that address the needs of diverse communities;

Possesses knowledge of challenges and barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline and uses it to inform their work in specific ways;

Mentors and assists diverse student populations interested in pursuing graduate education;

Engages in community-responsive action research or service with diverse student populations and communities;

Has experience in or demonstrates a commitment to adopting experiential learning activities and pedagogy with diverse student populations and communities; and

Has expertise in or demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship and/or service that contributes to access, diversity, and equal opportunity in higher education.

College

The College’s mission is to educate, mentor, and inspire students through scientific inquiry and hands-on learning. It offers 15 undergraduate degree programs and six Master’s degrees across seven academic departments that include: Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geological Sciences, Kinesiology & Health Promotion, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics & Astronomy. Our Center for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (CEMaST) supports K-16 education locally and nationally to increase STEM success and participation for all. The College of Science has approximately 150 full-time faculty, 45 staff, and 4,600 active majors. Our commitment to the teacher-scholar model results in our college being the largest recipient of extramural grant funding on campus. We encourage a broad range of applicants who are committed to enhancing a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to an inclusive campus environment.

 The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department in the College of Science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for one (1) tenure-track position in analytical chemistry or organic chemistry at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin Fall 2024.  Candidates from either of the above divisions with strong interests in teaching and conducting research at a primarily undergraduate institution are encouraged to apply.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department has 16 tenured/tenure-track faculty, and offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry (https://www.cpp.edu/sci/chemistry-biochemistry/index.shtml ). The Department and the ACS Chemistry Option are certified by the American Chemical Society, with additional degree options in Biochemistry and General Chemistry.  The Department currently serves a diverse student population of 463 undergraduate Chemistry majors, with over 51% of the student body from underrepresented groups. The B.S. degree includes an optional senior thesis research project, which is integrated into the requirements for graduation, and conducted under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This capstone research experience embodies the mission of the College of Science, which emphasizes a learn-by-doing philosophy. The Department also has an active Master’s degree program with ~31 current students, which culminates with a dissertation and defense of research-based work. In addition, the Department has been successful in attracting students from outside the major (Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Agriculture), who earn upper-division or graduate credits for conducting research under the guidance of faculty in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department.

We demonstrate academic quality, relevance, and excellence through teaching, learning, scholarship, and creative activities with student-centered faculty in an evidence-based culture. Cal Poly Pomona is committed to being the model for an inclusive polytechnic university that inspires creativity and innovation, embraces local and global challenges, and transforms lives.

The Position:

The faculty member will teach undergraduate and graduate lectures and laboratory classes in their area of expertise. The position follows a Teacher-Scholar model and requires excellence in teaching and advising, research and scholarly achievements, and a commitment to service to the University.  Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a commitment to diversity in higher education are particularly encouraged to apply.

Minimum requirements:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related field, including completion of graduate-level coursework in area of expertise from an accredited university conferred by the start date of the appointment or a certificate of completion indicating imminent conferral of Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related field.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and developing lecture and laboratory courses within the organic or analytical chemistry division.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusivity through applicant’s teaching, scholarship, and/or service, demonstrated by a Student Success Statement addressing at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed above.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an active research program involving undergraduate and M.S.-level students.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and/or service.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: 

• University/college teaching experience in chemistry lecture and/or laboratory courses.
• Postdoctoral experience in organic or analytical chemistry.
• Capability and interests in teaching at all levels in the chemistry curriculum.
• Capability and interests in development of upper division undergraduate and graduate (Master-level) courses.
• Potential for teaching in organic or analytical is partially determined by having graduate-level coursework in organic or analytical chemistry, respectively.
• Experience or familiarity with techniques that promote student engagement, equity, and success.

 Conditions of Employment:

The person offered this position is required to pass a background check.

 Application Process:
A completed application will consist of:

• A separate Student Success statement regarding the candidate’s experiences and goals (e.g., successes, challenges, and plans) related to working or otherwise engaging with a diverse student population (2-page limit) (https://www.cpp.edu/faculty-affairs/documents/student_success_statement.pdf). 
• Please address how you have incorporated or how you plan to incorporate at least two of the 9 inclusive excellence criteria listed above;
• A cover letter that summarizes how the candidate’s teaching and research experiences, and career interests, relate to the duties and qualifications of the described position;
• A curriculum vitae, including list of graduate-level coursework with course titles and number;
• A statement of the candidate’s proposed research plans that specifically details how undergraduate and graduate (M.S.-level) students will be involved (4-page limit, excluding references);
• A statement of the candidate’s anticipated teaching plans with (a) a teaching philosophy that embraces the CPP Teacher Scholar model (including prior teaching experience, if applicable) and (b) short and long-term teaching interests specific to the one chemistry division the candidate is applying for (2-page limit);
• Transcripts showing each degree earned (an official transcript will be required for finalists);
• Names and contact information for three individuals who will be providing recent letters of recommendation, to be submitted within 2 weeks of a request for a phone interview (if the applicant has not yet received the Ph.D. degree by the date of the application, at least one letter should address the expected graduation date of the applicant); and
• The names and contact information (with written permission to contact) of two additional individuals who can address the candidate’s potential for success in the described position.
• It is required to use standard font (Times New Roman 12 pt, Arial 11 pt, etc) and 1-inch margin sizes

The position is open until filled.  First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than Monday, October 2, 2023. Early response is encouraged. 

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and applications (electronic only) to [email protected]

Salary range for 9-month, Academic Year Appointment: $83,500 - $85,500

Equal Opportunity Employer
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The university seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of California, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing. Cal Poly Pomona subscribes to all state and federal regulations and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. The university hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. As required by the Clery Disclosure Act, the university prepares a public annual security report.