Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry

About Western Kentucky University:

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities.  Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 17,500 students (32% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority) and nearly 2,900 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. With an ethnically and diverse population, more than 85 languages are spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

WKU seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.    

Job Description:

The Department of Chemistry at WKU invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry, starting August 2021. WKU has a new science building, which opened in December 2017 with considerable space for expansion of chemistry laboratory and research facilities.  The Department of Chemistry engages students at the graduate (MS) level and the undergraduate level, including involvement of students from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, a nationally-renowned residential high school. Students from the department have recently won national awards (Goldwater, Fulbright) and faculty have active grants from national agencies. Faculty and students enjoy access to a variety of instrumentation including NMR, single crystal XRD, mass spectrometry, and many others.  A partial list of equipment available through the Advanced Materials Institute is available at http://www.wku.edu/ami/instruments.php.  The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally-funded research program in the field of organic chemistry involving both undergraduates and master's students, maintain teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels, advise students, provide evidence of ability to teach courses in organic chemistry, desire to include undergraduate students in research projects, evidence of ability to write grant proposals, evidence of ability to work and communicate well with diverse groups of students and fellow faculty and serve on Departmental and University committees appropriate to their expertise and interest.

Requirements:

• Earned doctorate in organic chemistry
• Documented postdoctoral teaching or research experience

Additional Information:

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Deborah Wilkins, who can be contacted via email at deborah.wilkins@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5396. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU''s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

Application Instructions:

The following items must be submitted through the electronic talent management system by January 11, 2021, although expressions of interest may be considered until the position is filled:

• Letter of application
• Current Curriculum Vita
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Research and mentoring plans (up to 5 pages)
• DEI statement
• Unofficial transcripts

Names and contact information of three reference providers will be collected during the application process. Reference letters will be requested by the Search Committee through an online process at a later date.

You will receive email confirmation once you have successfully completed the application process.