Assistant or Associate Professor of Chemistry or Natural Science

OBU transforms lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world, and live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.

Expectations for all Employees

• Demonstrate commitment to the essentials of the Christian faith.
• Commit to the mission and vision of Oklahoma Baptist University.
• Treat people with dignity and respect.
• Build relationships on honesty, integrity, and trust.
• Strive for excellence through teamwork, leadership, and a strong work ethic.
• Manage human and financial resources wisely and efficiently.

About the Role

OBU is a distinguished Christian university committed to integrating faith and learning. The Science Division in the James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics is dedicated to excellence in undergraduate teaching, mentorship, and scholarship, with a particular focus on hands-on, laboratory- and field-based learning in a Christ-centered, liberal arts context.

We are seeking a chemist or natural scientist, depending on divisional need, to join our faculty. The ideal candidate will have graduate-level coursework in chemistry, biology, natural science, or a related field, demonstrated or emerging excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring, and a deep commitment to Christian faith and practice.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses, advise and mentor students, engage in scholarship, and participate in service to the University and broader community. This position is especially suited for a faculty member who values excellent undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and faith integration.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses in chemistry or natural science for majors and non-majors, as assigned according to divisional needs and the candidate’s expertise.
• Develop and implement effective student-centered teaching strategies that integrate faith and learning, including laboratory experiences.
• Advise and mentor students in academic planning, professional development, and spiritual formation.
• Participate in curriculum development and ongoing assessment of courses and programs, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with institutional learning outcomes.
• Engage in scholarship appropriate for a liberal arts environment, including discipline-based research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and/or student-mentored research.
• Integrate the Christian faith into classroom and laboratory environments, helping students consider how a Christian worldview informs the study and practice of science, including ethical dimensions of the sciences.
• Participate in University committees, governance, and campus life as assigned.
• Contribute to advising, recruitment, and retention efforts for science programs.
• Uphold and promote the Christian mission and values of the University in all professional activities.

Other Duties

• Assist in student recruitment through campus events, individual visits, and outreach activities.
• Manage or assist with management of the Wood Science laboratories for teaching, research, and outreach purposes, as appropriate to the candidate’s expertise.
• Participate in community outreach related to the science division, including events for local schools, churches, and community groups.
• Collaborate with faculty across STEM disciplines to support interdisciplinary learning and projects.
• Assist with purchasing large equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability or strong promise to teach effective lectures and laboratories at the undergraduate level in chemistry, natural science, or a closely related field.
• Ability to thoughtfully integrate Christian faith with teaching and professional practice, including discussion of the relationship between Christian ideas and science, and the application of Christian ethics to scientific settings.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with college students in advising, mentoring, and classroom settings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build constructive relationships with students, staff, faculty colleagues, and community partners.
• Organizational and time-management skills sufficient to balance teaching, advising, scholarship, and service responsibilities.
• Commitment to mentoring and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Qualifications

Education Required: Master’s degree in chemistry, natural science, biology, or a closely related field.

Preferred: Ph.D. in chemistry, natural science, biology, or a closely related field. Academic preparation that supports teaching across multiple areas of the science curriculum. Additional training or experience in laboratory, field-based, or interdisciplinary instruction.

Experience Required: Strong commitment to integrating Christian faith with academic excellence. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students. Active involvement in a Christian church and alignment with the university’s statement of faith.

Preferred: Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate science teaching. Experience teaching laboratory-based and/or field-based courses. Experience with curriculum development and academic program assessment. Involvement in relevant professional organizations.

Equipment

• Laboratory, field, or instructional equipment appropriate to the assigned teaching area.
• Standard instructional technology, including learning management systems (Canvas), presentation software, and classroom audio-visual systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to teach in classroom and laboratory settings, including standing for extended periods and moving between lab stations.
• Ability to lift and move laboratory supplies and equipment, typically up to approximately 25-50 pounds.
• Sufficient visual and auditory acuity to safely supervise students in laboratory environments.

Special Requirements

Must be a member of a local evangelical* Christian church. Evangelical is a broad term referring to a segment within Christianity which maintains the authority of the Bible and the belief in salvation by faith in Jesus alone.

Benefits

• Nationwide family-friendly Health and Dental coverages with generous OBU premium contributions.
• Free life insurance that includes accidental death and dismemberment equal to an employee’s base salary.
• Access to optional employee-paid ancillary benefits like vision, hospitalization, critical illness, accident, and additional employee-paid family life insurance coverages.
• Education benefits at OBU and other institutions of higher education.
• Generous paid time off including annual granted vacation time, accrued sick leave, six annual holidays, and week-long breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas that include energy conservation days.
• Employer matching opportunity for retirement investments in a 403(b)(9) plan administered by Guide Stone (for employees working at least half-time).
• Free family membership to the OBU Recreation and Wellness Center (RAWC).
• Global outreach university mission trips.
• Cafeteria discounts and parking privileges.