Description:  The Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is seeking for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry starting in August 2020. Additional expertise in chemical education, either through formal training or practical experience is highly desirable. The typical distribution of assigned responsibilities is 60% instruction, 20% scholarly and 20% service, although this may be adjusted depending on the needs of the department in consultation with the department chair. A normal teaching load is equivalent to twelve credit hours per semester, which corresponds to 13-15 contact hours per week.

Responsibilities:

Instruction:
The primary teaching responsibilities of the successful applicant is to teach two physical chemistry courses: (a) a chemical thermodynamics and kinetics course for undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.P.S and M.S.E.) students, and (b) a one-semester survey course for B.A. chemistry students and other related majors. Other teaching responsibilities include general chemistry courses and laboratories for chemistry majors and non-majors as well, and general education chemistry courses. In addition to traditional face-to-face teaching, the successful applicant will help administer and develop online physical chemistry courses associated with the department’s newly developed graduate program – Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) with a Concentration in Chemistry. As part of their teaching responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to serve as an academic advisor for undergraduate students majoring in chemistry and/or pre-professional studies.

Scholarly: 
The successful candidate is expected to engage in a program of scholarly activity involving primarily undergraduate students. Scholarly activity includes establishment of research program in physical chemistry and/or the scholarship of integration, application, or teaching and learning as described by the Boyer model of scholarship www.fhsu.edu/academic/research/Faculty_Research/). Development of an externally grant-funded research program is highly encouraged. 

Service: 
A commitment of service to the department, the College, the University, the community, and the chemistry profession is expected of each faculty member.

Minimum Qualifications:  Minimum qualifications include an earned PhD in physical chemistry (or closely related field). ABD applicants will be considered, but Ph.D must be awarded and official graduate transcripts must be received by HR prior to the August 2020 employment start date. The successful applicant must demonstrate potential for teaching excellence through prior experience. In addition, the successful candidate must outline a viable research program involving undergraduate students that can be pursued in a regional comprehensive university environment.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates with chemistry education experience since earning the Ph.D, either through formal training or practical experience. Proficiency with curriculum mapping and assessment planning is also desirable. Experience in developing and teaching online courses is a plus.

Application Deadline: October 5, 2019. Review of applications will begin after the priority deadline and continue until the position is filled.

Benefits: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/

Application Process:  To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Applicant must submit:

A cover letter highlighting skills, and teaching, scholarly and service experience; Curriculum vitae (CV); Statement of teaching philosophy; Statement of research plan involving undergraduate students; Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable for the application only, official transcripts required upon hire); Names and contact information for 3 professional references

Please submit documents in a single PDF file. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. Krisztina Bencze, Chemistry Department, Fort Hays State University, 600 Park Street, Hays, Kansas 67601-4099.
E-mail: kzbencze@fhsu.edu
Phone: 785-628-5386

About the Department:
The FHSU chemistry department (www.fhsu.edu/chemistry) has eight full-time faculty positions representing all of the major sub-disciplines of chemistry.  At the undergraduate level, we offer B.A. and ACS-approved B.S. degrees with optional emphases in biochemistry, forensic science and teacher education.  At the graduate level, we collaboratively support the chemistry concentrations of two master’s degrees: the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) and Masters of Science in Education (M.S.E.). Our instructional methodology strongly emphasizes a hands-on approach to instrumentation in laboratory courses at all levels.  The department is housed on the third floor of Tomanek Hall and includes state-of-the-art laboratories, chemistry instrumentation and fully mediated classrooms.

About the College:
The college was formed in 2015 by aggregating the departments of Agriculture, Applied Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics, as well as the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The academic units consist of approximately 75 full-time faculty, 1600 undergraduate majors, and 50 graduate students. Undergraduate students participate in technical, classroom, field, and lab experiences that many universities would reserve for graduate students. The wide range of academic programs are innovative, and college faculty embrace a one-on-one teaching and mentoring philosophy, while providing robust scholarship opportunities for our students.

About Fort Hays State University:
Founded in 1902, FHSU is a leading, forward-thinking university of the Midwest, with student enrollment of more than 15,500 (including 4,500+ on the Hays campus, a unique China partnership program with enrollment of 4,000 students, and Virtual College enrollment at over 7,000).  Over 400 faculty and more than 500 professional and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs for the associate’s, bachelor's, and master's programs, and for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, representing 31 departments within these academic divisions:

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship
• College of Education
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
• Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
• Graduate School

Fort Hays State University provides exceptional opportunities for students from Kansas, the region, and the world, and the University attracts goal-oriented students who want premier learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom combined with one-to-one attention and support. FHSU students graduate with the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to have a competitive edge in their chosen careers. Upon graduation, 95% of FHSU students find a job or placement in graduate and professional schools.

About Hays, Kansas:
Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community’s commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally.

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K–12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.