Visiting Assistant Professor

 POSITION SUMMARY

The Department of Chemistry at Occidental College invites applications for a part-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry with appointment to begin January 2027 for one semester with the potential for renewal. The Visiting Assistant Professor will teach up to two courses, including Quantum Mechanics and General Chemistry.

We are seeking applicants who can teach upper-division undergraduate quantum mechanics, a required course for the Chemistry major at Occidental. The ability to also teach general chemistry and associated teaching lab courses is preferred.

“Visiting Professor” is a faculty category bargained between the College and the non-tenure track faculty union. Visiting faculty are hired to replace permanent faculty who are on leave and to meet other short-term curricular needs. Visiting faculty may engage in scholarly activities, but scholarship is not a responsibility of the position.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD, PhD Candidacy, or MS in Chemistry or a related field held by the position start date, January 16, 2027 Ability to teach Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy Ability to collaborate with the department and existing faculty to prepare and deliver cohesive and impactful courses Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized communities Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the College

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to teach General Chemistry and teaching laboratory courses Experience teaching at the college-level and record of pedagogical success Experience and record of success teaching at a liberal arts college Past experience or training in experimental or theoretical physical chemistry.

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE (Spring 2027): $8,354 per lecture course and $4,177 per laboratory course

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Application Deadline and Instructions

Review of applications will begin on October 6, 2026 and proceed until the role is filled. In order to ensure full consideration, your application should be received by midnight Pacific Standard Time on October 5, 2026.

Applicants must submit a complete application package by email to Professor Jeff Cannon, jcannon@oxy.edu

A complete application includes all of the following:   

• Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, as well as the education, experience, and/or skills you possess that are relevant to the required and preferred qualifications listed above. In your cover letter, please also explain how your teaching and service align with the mission of Occidental College. (2 pages max.) Curriculum Vitae A teaching statement/philosophy that discusses your chief pedagogical goals and the pedagogical practices you employ to meet these goals, as well as your record of/commitment to creating and advancing equitable learning opportunities and inclusive pedagogies for a diverse student body. (1 page max.) A list of at least two professional references who the review committee may contact for additional information.

Applicants who advance to the finalist phase of the search will be invited for an interview.

If you have any questions about the position, the application materials, or the application instructions, please contact: Prof. Jeff Cannon at jcannon@oxy.edu or call 323-259-2768.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is included in the NonTenure Track Bargaining Unit, and the successful applicant employee, subject to the terms of the College’s Collective Bargaining will be a bargaining unit Agreement with SEIU Local 721.

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https: //www.oxy.edu/offices-services/humanresources/benefits-information.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources (hr@oxy.edu).

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal, state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.