Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Job no: 516698
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Long Beach
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Natural Sciences

Position: Assistant Professor of Biochemistry 
Effective Date: August 17, 2023 (Fall Semester) 
Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience 
Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin September 30, 2022. Position opened until filled (or recruitment canceled).

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

This position is part of a cluster recruitment within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics initiated with the intention to build on existing strengths in Biochemistry and Cell/Molecular Biology, support cross-department collaborations, and enhance our efforts to foster equity and inclusion and increase the participation of minoritized students in these fields. Appointments may be offered in either the Chemistry and Biochemistry or Biological Sciences department, or if applicable, joint appointment(s) may be made. Qualified candidates are highly encouraged to apply to both recruitments (Chemistry and Biochemistry, Job 516698 and Biological Sciences, Job 516697). New faculty receive start-up funds and research lab space as well as reduced instructional workload over their first three years to establish a research program. Multiple avenues exist for professional development including learning communities, individually tailored mentoring, and equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) related initiatives. Additional reduction in instructional workload may be available to support activities that enhance EDI. It is expected that up to three hires will be made from this cluster recruitment.

Required Qualifications:       

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry or a related field
• Postdoctoral research experience
• A record of research productivity commensurate with experience
• Demonstrated potential to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in biochemistry
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population

Preferred Qualifications:                  

• At least two years of postdoctoral research experience in the broadly defined field of biochemistry including but not limited to molecular, cellular, biophysical, structural, environmental, and computational biochemistry
• Demonstrated potential for developing and sustaining an independent, externally funded research program involving undergraduate and graduate students leading to peer-reviewed publications
• Demonstrated potential for effective student-centered and inclusive teaching in biochemistry at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Demonstrated commitment to learning and incorporating pedagogical best practices
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to increasing the participation of underrepresented students in science through teaching and mentoring
• Experience of successfully working with populations demographically and socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body (Demographics)

Duties:                                    

• Teach undergraduate and graduate (M.S. degree) courses in biochemistry or related areas. [Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof. In 2023-24, the department anticipates that the normal mode of instruction will be face-to-face.]
• Contribute to our efforts to diversify the scientific workforce by effectively training students both inside and outside the classroom
• Develop and sustain an independent and externally funded research program
• Mentor undergraduate and masters-level graduate students in research leading to peer-reviewed publications and presentations
• Participate and provide service to the department, college, university, profession, and community

CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all of our students, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. 

The departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Sciences are housed in modern buildings with well-equipped laboratories and high-end shared instrumentation (http://web.csulb.edu/colleges/cnsm/research/instruments/). We have a collegial environment with ample opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. Research plans that identify synergy with existing research programs in either or both departments are encouraged. Within a federally designated Minority Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, our departments have a strong record of promoting academic success for underrepresented and underserved students. These efforts are further supported by an extensive array of federal and state grants to enhance training of undergraduate and graduate students for research careers (Examples).

About the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (https://www.csulb.edu/chemistry-biochemistry): We are a vibrant community of scientists and educators dedicated to providing a high-quality curriculum focused on student success, with hands-on research opportunities for our students. Our 23 tenured/tenure-track faculty carry out cutting edge research in Biochemistry, Organic, Inorganic, Materials Science, Analytical, Computational and Physical chemistry, providing stimulating research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate (M.S.) students resulting in student co-authored peer-reviewed publications. Department faculty are highly successful in receiving external support from federal/state agencies as well as industry. Members of our faculty also provide substantial leadership in federally funded diversity related research training programs in STEM and biomedical fields. In addition to B.S. and B.A. degrees in both Biochemistry and Chemistry, we have thriving thesis-based graduate programs (M.S. Biochemistry and M.S. Chemistry) which currently serve ~80 graduate students. Our graduates pursue a diverse array of careers including health professions, academia, teaching, industry, and government agencies.

In serving the State of California, our department is committed to developing a diverse faculty, with a richness of personal and educational experiences. We recognize and acknowledge that the applicants will have varying life circumstances, access to resources, and possibly pandemic related interruptions. We welcome applicants who are highly motivated to engage in research supervision of a diverse student body and committed to effective and culturally sensitive teaching. We are looking forward to having candidates who will join us in contributing their talent, expertise and perspective to providing excellent educational and research opportunities for the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and educators.

Information on excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here:

https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf

How to Apply: Required Documentation                       

• An Equity and Diversity Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single-spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: http://www.csulb.edu/EquityDiversityStatement
• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications, as well as ideas for enhancing diversity within the areas of Biochemistry/Cell and Molecular Biology
• CV
• Statement of teaching experience, philosophy, and teaching interests (distinct from the equity and diversity statement; maximum two pages, single-spaced)
• Statement of research plan, detailing how undergraduate and master’s students will be involved, major equipment needs, and plans for seeking external funding (suggested length: three pages, single-spaced)
• Name and contact information for three references (to be contacted for confidential letters of recommendation should you reach the finalist stage)
• Finalists should be prepared to submit an official transcript (e-transcript preferred, if available)

How to Apply: Click Apply Now icon to complete the CSULB online application

Requests for information and process should be addressed to:

Dr. Lijuan Li, Chair
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-9507

Email: Lijuan.Li@csulb.edu

Requests for information about the position should be addressed to:

Dr. Deepali Bhandari, Associate Professor
Search Committee Chair

Email: Deepali.Bhandari@csulb.edu

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) 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.

The person holding this position is 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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

CSU Vaccination Policy
CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to fahr@csulb.edu.

CSULB is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to race or ethnicity (including color or ancestry), nationality, religion or religious creed, gender (or sex), gender identity (including transgender), gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information, age, veteran or military status. CSULB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Advertised: Jul 27, 2022 (3:00 PM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled