SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; (2) current resume/CV; (3) teaching philosophy (2 page max); (4) unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (5) at least three letters of recommendation from professional references; and (6) research proposal. If you are unable to attach the supplemental materials to the online application, please contact Human Resources for assistance.

For inquiries and additional information, please contact: Human Resource Services via email at [email protected] or by phone at (541)552-8553.

To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf

Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Chemistry in the School of Science and Business at Southern Oregon University (SOU) invites applications for a full-time, nine-month tenure-track, Assistant Professor in Biochemistry position.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching biochemistry lectures and labs, as well as, participating in our general chemistry lectures and labs, organic chemistry labs, general education courses, student research and other departmental needs, such as advising. The Chemistry Program values supportive interactions with students and the successful candidate should demonstrate the desire to teach, advise, and pursue active research with undergraduates with diverse learning styles and backgrounds. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities including formal research whether in scholarship of discovery, scholarship of synthesis, scholarship of application, or scholarship of teaching. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to advising and mentoring of student pursuing professional degrees in the medical field and will collaborate with other departments on pre-professional programs.

Other responsibilities include chemistry advising, curriculum development, professional affiliations as appropriate, and other responsibilities as assigned. The successful candidate will ideally have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or a closely related field. ABD will be considered. Postdoctoral experience and/or college level teaching experience is highly desirable.

We offer excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The start date is September 16, 2025 and the position will be open until filled with a priority deadline of November 1, 2024.

Southern Oregon University is a public liberal arts institution of approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The surrounding area is known for cultural offerings such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Ashland International Film Festival, and the Britt Music Festival. The region is noted for its unparalleled biodiversity and the university lies in close proximity to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The Rogue Valley is renowned for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking.

Minimum Qualifications

Initial appointment at the rank of Assistant professor requires a terminal degree in biochemistry or closely related field, or ABD, from an accredited institution

Applicants should have at least one year of experience teaching in higher education

Applicants should provide documented evidence of teaching excellence and scholarly activities.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in biochemistry or closely related field from an accredited institution.

More than one year of teaching in higher education teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Demonstrated desire to teach, advise, and pursue active research with undergraduates with diverse learning styles and backgrounds.

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive

(100%) The primary responsibilities of all faculty members are: teaching, professional development, and service.

Teaching encompasses normal instructional activities beyond the teaching of assigned courses such as academic advising, working with students outside of class, posting and maintaining appropriate office hours, course and curriculum planning, etc.

Professional Development includes maintaining currency in the discipline taught.

Service includes program and institutional administrative, committee, and student support and retention activities

In addition, professorial faculty members are expected to participate in scholarly and/or creative activities, including formal research (whether in scholarship of discovery, scholarship of synthesis, scholarship of application, or scholarship of teaching), and in service to the university and beyond the campus, such as in professional organizations or other professionally related public service

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Demonstrated excellence in written, verbal, and technical communication skills and with a high degree of personal integrity and standards

Ability to facilitate an innovative, transformative curriculum and pedagogy to enable students to be prepared for the future

Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing

Demonstrated experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations

Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist

Demonstrated ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, sometimes under pressure and a fast-paced environment

Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations

Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems

Ability to independently analyze software functionality and design and document efficient/effective work processes

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community leaders, business leaders, and donors to advance the mission and vision of the institution.

Demonstrated ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information.

Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy

Ability to take initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters

Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail

Proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, internet/online systems (e.g., calendaring and email), social media platforms, Learning Management Systems, etc.

Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere internally and externally, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds

Physical Demand

Regular teaching activities, including standing/sitting, lecturing, and using a computer.