Assistant Professor, Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry

Job Details

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: College of Humanities and Sciences MBU

Department: Chemistry

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Department of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a non-tenure track position (renewable) at the Assistant Professor level in Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry to begin in August 2026.

We seek applicants who are excited about teaching organic chemistry/biochemistry to undergraduate students and are willing to participate in curriculum development focused on student-centered learning. This position offers numerous opportunities to educate undergraduate students in VCU’s new, state-of-the-art STEM building, designed to foster collaboration and community among students during their foundational coursework.

Candidates need to submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a statement of teaching and mentoring experience and student engagement, and (3) a complete curriculum vitae to VCUjobs.com/

In addition, the names of three references must be entered; these individuals will be asked to provide recommendation letters. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Suzanne Ruder, at sruder@vcu.edu.

VCU enrolls 29,000 students and is an R1 Carnegie Institution. Currently, 37% of incoming freshmen at VCU are first-generation college students, and 57% of undergraduate students are from minority backgrounds. We are among the top 20% of the best Global universities as ranked by US News & World Report. VCU Medical Center is both the region’s safety net hospital and the Richmond metro area’s No. 1-ranked hospital (per the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings). The Department of Chemistry has 18 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 16 instructional term faculty appointments, 2 term facility directors, and approximately 300 undergraduate majors and 75 graduate students. Further information can be found at the department website: https://chemistry.vcu.edu/.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, experience teaching at the undergraduate level, and a commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds while fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Preferred candidates should possess in-depth knowledge of pedagogical best practices and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continually developing and maintaining this expertise.

The position is at the level of an assistant professor, and there are university-wide procedures in place for faculty promotion to associate and then full professor.

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Rank: Assistant Professor

Tenure: Ineligible

Months: 9 months

Contact Information: Contact Name: Suzanne Ruder Contact Email: sruder@vcu.edu