Chair, Department of Chemistry at Saint Louis University

Chair, Department of Chemistry at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University, a Catholic Jesuit institution dedicated to student learning, research, health care, and service, seeks applicants for Department Chair, at the rank of Full Professor, with a start date as early as Fall 2021. Candidates are expected to hold the rank of Full Professor with tenure, have an internationally acclaimed research record (with a strong history of external funding), and possess leadership experience. Applicants at the Associate Professor level who also possess these qualities will be considered.

About the Department: The Department of Chemistry has 25 full time faculty (15 tenured or tenure track) and 8 staff, all of whom are committed to providing a transformative learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students (https://www.slu.edu/arts-and-sciences/chemistry/index.php).

The Department offers B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemical Biology. With more than 40 graduate and 160 undergraduate students/majors, the Department is committed to the research-based training of tomorrow's chemists and biochemists. The Department delivers more than 11,000 credit hours annually. The 2020 opening of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering building offers our students access to state-of-the-art laboratories and active-learning classrooms. The Department has an established history of providing strong undergraduate research experiences.

The research profile of the Department has grown rapidly, with a 150% increase in research expenditures over the past five years. Research facilities include 400 MHz and 700 MHz NMR, high resolution MS, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Research in the Department is highly collaborative, including projects with industry, government, and medical schools (including SLU’s Depts. of Pharmacology/Physiology, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, and Biomedical Engineering, as well as the Center for Vaccine Development). Faculty are currently funded by NSF, NIH, and private foundations, with annual research expenditures for FY 20 exceeding $1.4 M.
Expectations of the Candidate: The Department seeks a chair who will foster the upward trajectory of the Department in both research and pedagogy. The candidate is expected to provide leadership in 1) recruiting a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff, 2) implementing a vision for expanding research and pedagogy, 3) encouraging multi-disciplinary projects and partnerships, 4) demonstrating expertise in fiscal management, 5) working effectively across academic units.

The candidate must have a track record of outstanding research accomplishments and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should send a cover letter, CV, research statement, and 3 reference letters to the attention of Prof. Jim Edwards (search committee chair) at chemsearch@slu.edu. Saint Louis University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and encourages nominations and applications of women and underrepresented minorities.