Assistant Professor (Biochemistry)
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Faculty Tenure Track
Position Title: Assistant Professor (Biochemistry)
Department: Chemistry
Campus Location: Washburn University
Application Deadline: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by January 20, 2026.
Position Summary:
Washburn University's Department of Chemistry invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Biochemistry. Appointment is expected to begin August 1, 2026.
Each selected candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence at Washburn University, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
The Chemistry Department at Washburn University offers a tight-knit, ACS-approved program with small classes taught by faculty, and opportunities for hands-on, mentored research experiences. Students can major in biochemistry, chemistry, chemistry secondary education, or forensic chemistry, and all chemistry majors complete at least one original research project or an internship before graduating. In addition, the department teaches key service courses, including General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, required for nursing students, which the successful candidate will be expected to teach.
About Washburn University:
Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5,500 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.
Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.
Essential Functions:
• Fulfill teaching expectations associated with tenure-track appointment. Teach 12-faculty load hours per semester (either in-person or online, according to departmental needs) or equivalent full workload as outlined in the faculty handbook.
• Teach and develop undergraduate classes as assigned and as dependent upon department needs, which will include lecture and lab courses in chemistry and biochemistry at an introductory, foundation, in-depth, and capstone level.
• Direct a research program in biochemistry which includes mentoring of undergraduate research students.
• Fulfill service expectations associated with the appointment by engaging in service activities in the department, university, and profession.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.
Required Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, or a terminal degree in related field; ABD applicants will be considered, with completion of the Ph.D. by August 1, 2027.
• Demonstrated dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
• Official educational transcripts required at the time of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Broad training in Biochemistry.
• Experience teaching chemistry courses at the secondary and/or post-secondary level.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
• Please upload the following items as .pdf files to the “additional documents” fields via the electronic application: a letter of interest, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research philosophy and outline of research plans. Contact information for three professional references will be collected as part of the application processes.
• If you have questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor, Holly O'Neill, Screening Committee Chair holly.oneill@washburn.edu.
Background Check Required
Washburn University is committed to providing an environment for individuals to pursue educational and employment opportunities free from discrimination and/or harassment. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.
Washburn University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants for employment. If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please email benefits@washburn.edu or call 785-670-1538 at least five (5) business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.
