Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty

Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Calvin University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Biochemistry beginning August 2027 (pending administrative approval). We seek a teacher-scholar who is passionate about undergraduate education, collaborative research with students, and the integration of Christian faith with the study of biochemistry. The successful candidate will join a collegial department committed to innovative teaching, meaningful scholarship, and mentoring students within an intentional Christian liberal arts community.

The department seeks candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in both undergraduate teaching and research in biochemistry. Successful candidates will establish an active research program that engages undergraduate students and is competitive for external funding. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in biochemistry or a closely related discipline by the start of the appointment. Postdoctoral research and previous teaching experience are preferred.

The university seeks applicants with vibrant Christian faith who are dedicated to integration of that faith with their field of study.

The university will prioritize candidates with broad interdisciplinary interests, demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ability to integrate questions of meaning, significance, and ethics into all course content, and deep commitment to engaging students beyond the classroom.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in biochemistry, including Calvin's core biochemistry sequence:

• BCHM 321 – Principles of Biochemistry
• BCHM 322 – Metabolism and Metabolic Disease

Depending on expertise and interests, the successful candidate may also contribute to innovative upper-level electives such as:

• BCHM 323 – Venom
• BCHM 324 – Proteins Gone Awry

Additional opportunities exist to teach general chemistry, courses for non-science majors, and advanced courses (Forensics, Evolving Complexity, Molecules in the Spotlight, Chemistry & Sustainability, etc.). Visit our course website for a current list of classes offered.

Faculty members typically teach 24 semester hours per academic year (2 lecture and 2 labs per semester). In addition to excellent teaching, faculty are expected to maintain an active scholarly agenda, mentor undergraduate researchers, pursue external funding, and contribute through departmental, university, professional, and community service.

As members of Calvin University's academic community, faculty are expected to embrace the university's educational mission as a Christian liberal arts institution in the Reformed tradition, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. Candidates will be asked to affirm their commitment to this mission.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides excellent facilities for faculty-student collaborative research. Available instrumentation includes:

• Microscopy: spinning disk confocal, fluorescence, and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• Gel documentation system
• Spectroscopy: UV-Vis, FTIR, fluorescence, atomic emission, variable-temperature circular dichroism (CD), plate readers
• Structural analysis: 500 MHz gradient-shimmed multinuclear NMR, 80 MHz benchtop NMR
• Chromatography and mass spectrometry: LC-MS, GC-MS, HPLC, ion chromatography
• Thermal Analysis: microcalorimetry (ITC/DSC) and standard DSC
• Protein purification: AKTA Start system, French pressure cell, floor centrifuges and shakers
• Supercomputer with CPU and GPU nodes

Calvin University supports faculty scholarship through internal grants, course releases, sabbaticals, summer research stipends, travel funding, undergraduate research opportunities, and a variety of interdisciplinary Centers and Institutes that foster collaboration across the university.

To learn more about the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, including its faculty, students, curriculum, and research programs, please visit the department's website.

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