Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Physical Chem)

Role details

The Department of Chemistry at Knox College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Chemistry beginning September 1, 2027. We seek candidates with a focus on Physical Chemistry. Candidates with expertise in closely related fields are encouraged to apply, such as Theoretical or Computational Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Materials/Nanochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, etc. The position involves a six-course teaching load (typically two courses in each of three 10-week terms) that includes courses in physical chemistry, general chemistry, and upper-level electives in an area of the candidate’s expertise with associated laboratories.

Candidates should have a sincere interest in quality undergraduate teaching at an institution that values diversity and close interactions among faculty and students, as well as a desire to maintain an active research program. Establishing a research program that involves undergraduates is expected. Substantial institutional resources are provided to support the supervision of undergraduate research, including start-up funding, laboratory space, paid summer research programs for undergraduate students and faculty, conference travel funds, one term of junior faculty leave, regular sabbaticals, and an office of college grants.

Indeed, Knox Chemistry ranks in the top 4% of institutions producing PhD candidates relative to institutional size. Knox offers an ACS-certified program with BA/BS degrees in chemistry and biochemistry (~16 majors/year). The chemistry department has excellent instrumentation (400 MHz NMR, FT-IR, GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLCs, DSC, AES, v oltammetry, potentiometry, calorimeters and various spectrometers–Raman, Luminescence, UV/Vis ) . The Chemistry wing of the Umbeck Science and Math Center is currently undergoing substantial renovations with planned opening for Spring 2027.

Facilities also include a Makerspace with a machine shop, along with an SEM with EDS for elemental analysis, Mössbauer spectrometer, confocal microscope, pXRF, a colorimeter, and a 24-core server suitable for chemical computations. Professional development opportunities for the candidate include mentoring in teaching and undergraduate research in a supportive community of four full-time faculty in the Chemistry Department, a stockroom manager/chemical hygiene officer, a laboratory coordinator/radiation safety officer, and a Makerspace/science technician.

Knox College is an independent, selective liberal arts institution with a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Knox is included in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and a member of the prestigious consortium of Associated Colleges of the Midwest. Knox College provides a competitive salary and a strong benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, and access to a retirement plan; a tuition remission benefit is available after a two-year waiting period.

Additional information can be found on our Human Resources webpage at https://www.knox.edu/employment-at-knox/faculty . A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field by the start date (September 1, 2027) is required. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience are desirable.