"Assistant Professor, Biochemistry or Analytical 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 third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. 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 ever-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. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University 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, nine-month, tenure-eligible appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in all areas of Analytical Chemistry or Biochemistry starting August 2026.

The Department of Chemistry engages students at graduate (MS) and undergraduate levels, including the 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.

Our more recent major instrument acquisitions include: Thermogravimetric Analyzers that are part of our nationally recognized Thermal Analysis Laboratory (https://www.wku.edu/artp/ta_lab.php), Atomic Force Microscope, Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrophotometer, Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, Liquid Chromatograph-triple quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer, X-ray Powder Diffractometer, X-ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscope with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer and a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Spectrophotometer. Many of these instruments are housed at our Advanced Materials Institute Laboratory (https://www.wku.edu/artp/artp_landing_pages/ami.php). Biochemistry facilities include a shared biochemistry laboratory space with mammalian culture hoods and a variety of shared equipment via the Biotechnology Center (https://www.wku.edu/biotechnology/facilities.php).

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally-funded research program involving both undergraduates and MS students, maintain teaching excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels, advise students, provide evidence of ability to teach courses in analytical chemistry or biochemistry (or both), 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.

New Assistant Professors in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry typically have reduced teaching loads (2/2) for the first two years to foster capacity for establishing a research program. Thereafter, workloads are on a flexible model driven by research productivity and normally do not exceed 3/3 for faculty with active research students.

Requirements:

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related field

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 Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. 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 this electronic talent management system by October 20, 2025, although expressions of interest may be considered until the position is filled:

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum Vita
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Research plan that includes plans for extramural funding and inclusion of undergraduate and Masters students

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.

Quicklink to apply: https://wku.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp;jsessionid=ECFE61F0268EFB73ABE657F82A25EF06?JOBID=193436