Assistant Professor of Chemistry

University of Alaska - External Careers; Palmer (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement options

Annual leave

Paid holidays

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Alaska invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Matanuska-Susitna College in Palmer, AK. The successful candidate will teach lower-division chemistry courses to undergraduates, typically 12–14 credits per semester, including General Chemistry I & II, Organic and Biochemistry, and accompanying lab sections.

The position emphasizes student-centered teaching and the use of technology to enhance learning and accessibility.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry required from a regionally accredited university.
• Two years teaching experience required, including TA roles.
• Ability to teach developmental and lower-division chemistry courses.
• Experience with online/hybrid delivery formats.

Responsibilities

• Teach lower-division chemistry courses to undergraduates, typically 12–14 credits per semester, including General Chemistry I & II, Organic and Biochemistry, and related labs.
• Contribute to college service and committee work.
• Incorporate technology to support student learning and ensure safe learning environments in classroom and lab.
• Engage a diverse student population and promote student success.

Skills

Teaching chemistry

Student-centered

LMS proficiency

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Blackboard LMS

Job description

Matanuska-Susitna College under the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Arts & Sciences invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. The successful candidate should be available to start August 7, 2027 for the upcoming academic year.

“Opportunities start here” is more than a slogan at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Matanuska-Susitna College (Mat-Su College); it is our mission. Our aim is to transform student aspirations into realities. Matanuska-Susitna College seeks applicants who possess the desire to help students succeed in reaching their goals. Join us and help turn student aspirations into reality!

The primary function of the Chemistry faculty member is teaching lower-division chemistry courses to undergraduate college students. This is typically 12-14 credits each semester, including lecture and lab sections of Intro to General Chemistry, Intro to Organic and Biochemistry, and General Chemistry I and II, with the potential to occasionally offer additional Chemistry classes. The remaining credits are typically allotted to service to the College, University, Profession, &/or Community. The faculty workload is required to be updated annually and can consist of a different ratio of teaching & service equal to 30 units, as approved by the College Director.

To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate is student-centric, committed to student success, and possesses the ability to teach developmental and lower division chemistry courses. Preparing students to be successful in advanced levels of science education and a broad range of higher-level courses in varying disciplines is a primary function of this position. To thrive in this role, the applicant should possess the ability to construct effective learning activities and communicate complex scientific concepts and theories to a diverse student population, effectively integrate technology into the classroom to support student learning, provide a safe learning environment in the classroom and in the laboratory, and should be knowledgeable about various modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid, and distance delivery formats. The applicant should have the ability to encourage students to be actively engaged in the teaching/learning processes. The ideal applicant should possess strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to taking on the diverse tasks associated with being a productive member of a small faculty, such as committee memberships and community service, is essential to this position.

The following experiences would be beneficial for applicants to bring with them to this position: two or more years successful teaching, including as a graduate teaching assistant, with a preference for college-level teaching in developmental or lower level Chemistry; teaching with current technologies such as Blackboard or other LMS, audio and video components, interactive learning objects, lecture capture, & smartboards; and demonstrated success working with students with a broad range of mathematical experience.

Candidates will be evaluated on suitability of their graduate-level academic coursework and preparation, past teaching experiences, expertise and experience relevant to the effective teaching of their specific field, and potential for providing high-quality instruction to undergraduate students in assigned courses at Mat-Su College.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned doctoral degree (Ph.D., DPhil, or Sc.D.) in Chemistry or an appropriately associated field from a regionally accredited university is required.

Two years teaching experience, including as a graduate teaching assistant, is required.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Matanuska-Susitna College campus in Palmer, Alaska. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month exempt/salaried faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary will be aligned with qualifications and experience.

Application Requirements:

The following are required documents for applicants to upload with their online application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume or CV
3. Three Professional References, including email & phone number contact information at least one must be a current &/or former supervisor
4. Unofficial Transcripts
5. Teaching Philosophy Statement

*A teaching demonstration will be part of the interview process for candidates advancing to the final stages of the search

Application review will begin on November 18, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact HR Coordinator Shira Crowell at [e-mail].

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [e-mail].

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension)Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus)Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus)Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/compliance/clery-act/annual-security-reports.html. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [e-mail].