Assistant Professor - Chemistry Education

About the University:

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) opened in 2002 as the newest campus in the California State University system. Since that time, the University has grown and developed into one of the premier public universities, not only in the California State University system, but also in the nation. Indeed, U.S. News & World Report listed CSUCI as 20th among "Top Public Schools" in its 2021 edition of Best Colleges Rankings. In 2020, CollegeNET also ranked CSUCI 20th out of over 1,449 schools in its "Social Mobility Index," and Money Magazine rated CSUCI as the 15th "Most Transformative College" in the nation.

CSUCI is a public comprehensive university that engages students in critical inquiry and is dedicated to educating leaders for a global society. The University is located in Ventura County and is home to more than 6,900 undergraduate and 239 graduate students. Approximately 55% of CSUCI's students are Pell Grant eligible, and approximately 62% are first-generation college students. CSUCI is also proud to be designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with 55% of its undergraduate students self-identifying as Latinx, 25% as White, 6% as Asian/Asian American, 4% as multiracial, and 2% as Black/African American. In 2019, CSUCI was awarded Excelencia in Education's inaugural "Seal of Excelencia" for its facilitation of Latinx student success.

CSUCI is committed to diversifying its faculty in order to address students' ever-changing needs in the 21st century. The University is also taking steps to confront racism and to advocate for social justice. To this end, CSUCI encourages applicants to apply who are motivated to serve and contribute to the university's tenure-track body, which self-identifies as 62% White, 21% Latinx, 9% Asian/Asian American, and 2% Black/African American.

Diversity Statement:

CSUCI is committed to recruiting individuals who are dedicated to furthering inclusive excellence in our campus community. We seek to enhance our diverse University population by welcoming people from all backgrounds, and by working to sustain an environment where colleagues can not only work and learn, but also create and thrive.

CSUCI Mission Statement:

Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

CSUCI's Commitment to You:

CSUCI is committed to helping newly hired faculty develop a sense of belonging in a collaborative and supportive community dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for establishing and sustaining a research agenda and engaging in continuous improvement in equitable teaching and learning.

About the Program:

At ~150 students, the Chemistry Department is a mid-size major for our campus, and we offer students several degrees: the BS in Chemistry and BS - Biochemistry Option, the BA in Chemistry, the Chemistry Minor, and the Chemistry Certificate. The Department also serves STEM disciplines with our General and Organic Chemistry Series, and the wider university through unique general education courses. Engagement in a self-reflective teaching practice defines Chemistry faculty.

We work to create active, experiential learning environments beginning in our introductory curriculum. We focus on helping students learn to see themselves as scientists and on supporting their development into professionals by creating faculty-guided, student-driven research experiences in both classroom settings and faculty research groups at all levels of student preparation.

We are also working to develop a strong internship program with local industry and government. The department is working to shape faculty and students into a collaborative community of learners, and we partner with an active chemistry student organization to provide a space for social interaction and engagement.

The Chemistry Department values experience with students from diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, social class and socioeconomic, and neurodiverse populations, as well as with nontraditional and working students.

About the Position:

The CI Chemistry Department is seeking an Assistant Professor in the area of Chemistry Education. Applicants will teach introductory and general Chemistry courses, and will have the opportunity to teach advanced and elective courses. Applicants will work within the Department and across the University to address inequities in student opportunities and outcomes. Applicants will develop a research agenda aimed at exploring best practices in teaching and learning in the introductory undergraduate Chemistry curriculum, and/or developing tools for teaching effectiveness and undergraduate knowledge acquisition in both instructional and research settings. Applicants will also have the opportunity to develop research projects aligned with their traditional Chemistry subdiscipline, if any. Successful applicants will articulate how their teaching and research can engage with community- and/or place-based science, and will have a familiarity with the role and pace of research at a primarily undergraduate institution.

Minimum Degree Requirements:

Ph.D. in Chemistry Education or a closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered but must have completed the Ph.D. degree by August 17, 2022.

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to, potential for, or a record of:

Teaching a range of introductory and core chemistry courses such as General Chemistry;
Developing undergraduate Chemistry curricula using high-impact practices;
Developing a research agenda that: develops evidence-based, high-impact practices in undergraduate Chemistry Education; is aimed at improving instruction and assessing student outcomes in the introductory and core undergraduate Chemistry curriculum; and includes undergraduate researchers;
Applicants should demonstrate the commitment to effectively work with and engage a diverse student population and evidence of how they would successfully mentor minoritized students with special focus on Latinx, Black/African American, American Indian, and Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander students.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred candidates will have:

Experience with design, implementation, and assessment of active learning, service and/or experiential learning, course-based undergraduate research experiences, and culturally sustaining pedagogies;
Experience with assessment of student learning outcomes;
Experience with mentorship of undergraduate students from historically underrepresented or from otherwise minoritized populations.
Responsibilities:
Develop and teach a range of introductory, advanced, and elective courses, including but not limited to Introductory and General Chemistry, according to the needs of the department;
Employ evidence-based, high-impact practices in teaching (e.g., active learning, course-based undergraduate research experiences, culturally sustaining pedagogies) and work toward the development of expertise in these areas;
Maintain an active research agenda that engages undergraduates researchers;
Advise and mentor a wide range of students, especially those from historically underrepresented and multicultural backgrounds on major requirements and career pathways;
Collaborate with colleagues to develop and assess the curriculum, including the measurement and mitigation of equity gaps in student outcomes;
Engage in Departmental, University, and community service and collaboration.
Application Deadline:

Screening of applications will begin 03/08/2022. Priority will be given to applicants who meet the screening deadline; however, the position will remain open until filled.

Applicants must submit the following materials:

A letter of application briefly describing how the applicant is a match for the position;
A curriculum vita, including a list of recent publications;
Names and contact information for 3 references, which must be professional and/or academic contacts. Additional references may be included from students, support staff, and community members;
A 1-3 page summary research plan for undergraduate projects that includes: required equipment, how the research is appropriate for CI's students, how the work is feasible given available resources, and how the research publishable;
A statement describing your experience mentoring and/or working with minoritized students with a special focus on Latinx, Black/African American, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander and American Indian students, and
A teaching philosophy describing how you plan to engage and interact with students, with a special focus on Latinx, Black/African American, Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian students.
In later phases of the search process, applicants may be requested to provide verification of terminal degrees, licenses and certificates.
Submit all required materials to the CSUCI Careers application web address below:
https://jobs.csuci.edu/en-us/job/510445/assistant-professor-chemistry-education

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:

Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.

General Information:

Evidence of degree(s) required at time of hire.

At time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States.

The person holding this position may be considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

CSUCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in CSU Executive Order 1096.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Faculty Affairs at academicpersonnel@csuci.edu.