Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for a tenure track assistant professor position in chemistry beginning in August 2027. Excellence in research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level is expected.

About the Role

The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Analytical and/or Physical chemistry. Flexibility to teach in more than one sub-discipline of chemistry is desirable, and the candidate must be able to adapt their teaching methods to a variety of learning environments. The successful candidate will develop a robust research program engaging undergraduate and graduate (M.S.) students.

The Department of Chemistry at San José State University strives to provide broad access to the highest quality education in chemistry at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. To achieve this ambitious goal, the department has crafted a curriculum affording its diverse students access to expert instructors in each of the sub-fields of chemistry via classroom courses, hands-on laboratory courses, and research laboratories. A rarity among PUIs, the department also houses the SJSU Nuclear Science Facility, a specialized teaching and research laboratory for nuclear & radiochemistry equipped with comprehensive nuclear counting instrumentation.

The Department of Chemistry and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. The university enrolls more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, SJSU is both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. The university seeks teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Its commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities it serves.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses, including laboratory courses, graduate courses, and other courses as needed by the Chemistry Department.
• Develop a research program that incorporates undergraduate and M.S. students.
• Submit grant proposals and manuscripts to peer reviewed research journals.
• Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity — in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation — through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Research experience in one of the subdisciplines of chemistry.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching in one of the subdisciplines of chemistry with a desire to teach in analytical or physical chemistry.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate research students.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. The anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range is $106k–$109k. Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.

Application Instructions

Applicants are invited to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into the cover letter) to share how their lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community, particularly in relation to student success.

Applicants should attach to the SJSU Online Employment Application:

• Letter of interest (1–2 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae (indicating primary subdiscipline(s) and any student mentoring experiences)
• Institutional Excellence statement (dedicated statement or addressed in letter of interest, 1–2 pages)
• Statement of teaching interests/philosophy (2 page limit). Applicants are encouraged to review the SJSU course catalog and identify courses they feel well qualified to teach.
• Research plans (5 page limit excluding bibliography), including how undergraduate and M.S. students will be involved
• Three reference letters

Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. David Brook, at david.brook@sjsu.edu.

Other Information

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and CSU systemwide policy; CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allow the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of background and reference checks (including criminal records and prior employment) is required. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background and reference checks reveal disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background and reference checks may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.