Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

The Chemistry Department has 24 tenure-track faculty, serves about 300 undergraduate majors and over 20 graduate students annually, and offers a variety of degrees in Biochemistry or Chemistry (M.S., B.S., B.A.), along with a combined B.A. with Education degree.  The B.S. Chemistry degree is certified by the American Chemical Society.  More than half of our undergraduate majors are active in faculty-mentored research projects, and many present their work at national meetings and are co-authors on peer-reviewed publications.  Students are also involved in outreach, inclusion, professional development, and leadership activities through our Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society and Student Ambassador Program.    

WWU invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in analytical chemistry beginning Fall quarter, 2025. The Chemistry Department and the College of Sciences and Engineering support Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with the ability to be sensitive to and inclusive of students with marginalized identities and backgrounds. The successful candidate will be expected to teach analytical chemistry (i.e. quantitative analysis) and instrumental analysis, as well as general chemistry and appropriate special topics courses.  The person will also be expected to fulfill working, teaching, and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive environments for all students, faculty, and staff.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an active research program involving undergraduate and M.S. students. 

• An earned Ph.D. at time of application or ABD at time of application in analytical chemistry or related field from an accredited institution is required (If ABD, all degree requirements must be complete by June 15th of the first year of employment).
• Record of high-quality scholarship in the chemical sciences.
• Record of or potential for high quality and inclusive undergraduate teaching.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds.
• Commitment to establishing a vigorous research program involving undergraduate and M.S. students. The focus of an individual's research specialization is open to all relevant areas of analytical chemistry (broadly defined).

• Post-doctoral research experience.
• Industrial experience in analytical chemistry.
• Ability to initiate or participate in cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Salary

The starting salary range for assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $75,000-$80,000, with placement within the position’s salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $75,000-$85,000, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments. Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

Bargaining Unit

 United Faculty of Western Washington

Application Instructions

Interested candidates must apply online.  For application information and instructions, go to the WWU Employment website.  A complete application should include:

1. Application Letter:  a letter of application that addresses how you meet the qualifications for the position, your ability and commitment to fulfill the position responsibilities, and your availability to start as of September 16, 2025.
2. Diversity Statement (max 2 pages):  a separate statement of demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in teaching, scholarship and/or service describing past experience, contributions to diversity and inclusion efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at WWU. 
3. Teaching Statement (max 2 pages): a separate statement of your teaching experience and/or interests, and plans for teaching introductory and advanced courses. Include a summary of teaching evaluations, if applicable.
4. Research Statement (max 4 pages, not including references):  a separate detailed statement of your research interests, projects, and plans for student involvement.
5. Vita: a full curriculum vitae.
6. References:  the names and contact information for at least three professional references.  Please do not send letters of recommendation; these will only be required for semi-finalists, and will be automatically requested from the provided references via Western’s PageUp electronic application system.
7. Undergraduate & Graduate Transcripts:  unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for initial application review.

Review of applications begins October 1, 2024; position open until filled. Inquiries about the position may be addressed to the search committee co-chair, Prof. Steven Emory, at steven.emory@wwu.edu.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual misconduct background check.