Employment Opportunities at USD

5446

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is dedicated to delivering outstanding undergraduate bio/chemical education through a student-centered, liberal arts approach. We offer B.Sc. degrees in Chemistry (ACS certified program) and Biochemistry (ACS and ASBMB certified program). Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of our program, fostered by independent research opportunities our faculty provide and supported by our extensive instrumental holdings and robust support staff, including a dedicated instrument specialist. Finally, our faculty and award winning ACS/ASBMB student chapter actively engage in outreach and service initiatives to create a welcoming community in the heart of San Diego.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of San Diego invites applications for a full-time benefits-based non-tenure-track position. This position is included in the Non-tenure Track Bargaining Unit, and the successful applicant employee, subject to the terms of the College’s Collective Bargaining will be a bargaining unit member and will be subject to the University’s Agreement with SEIU Local 721.We seek applications from candidates with extensive background in organic chemistry and a commitment to excellence in teaching.

The Director of Organic Chemistry is responsible for maintaining excellence in the lecture and laboratory curricula in the organic chemistry series.  The Director of Organic Chemistry teaches multiple sections of lecture and laboratory in their program area each semester, 9 units of load. The remaining 3 units of load each semester are administrative. In collaboration with department faculty, the Director organizes and leads efforts in textbook selection and implementation, lecture content, and assists faculty with course technology and administration. In the laboratory, s/he is responsible for developing and implementing innovative new laboratory experiments that will complement and extend lecture material, collaborate with faculty on the development and selection of new laboratory experiments, take an active role in identifying instructional equipment needs (e.g., updates instrumentation to maintain excellence in laboratory instruction, recommending replacement/repair of current instruments, etc.), and keep current with developments in chemical education. The Director of Organic Chemistry leads regularly scheduled meetings with lecture and laboratory instructors to communicate curricular content and maintain consistency across multi-section courses. The Director of Organic Chemistry will attend departmental meetings and faculty retreat(s).

The Director of Organic Chemistry has the largest impact on laboratory course execution and development. Responsibilities include:

1. Developing the lab schedule and syllabus each semester;

2. Supervise laboratory preparation in program area;

3. Assist Department Chair with annual review of laboratory technician in program area;

4. Participate in evaluation of faculty teaching in the program area and assist Chair in evaluating new adjunct faculty hires.

5. Communicate effectively and work closely with laboratory instructors;

6. Prepare and disseminate all course materials (handouts, Canvas, lab manual (e.g., electronic laboratory notebook like LabArchives), etc. to laboratory instructors);

7. Work with prep personnel and the department Instrument Specialist to insure optimal equipment and instrument operation for laboratory;

8. Organization and supervision of student teaching assistants;

9. Thorough testing and optimization of laboratory experiments prior to implementing in curriculum;

10. Spearhead assessment activities in the assigned curriculum area

For course offerings and enrollment in the program area, the Director works in collaboration with the Chair to review the course schedule and provide input on timing / section numbers. The Director manages program area course enrollment (e.g., co-enrollment analysis, course add/drop). 

Scholarly activity is encouraged to the degree that the scholarship involves new, creative and innovative curriculum or experimental design for the laboratory course(s) in the organic chemistry series.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have an MS in chemistry with an emphasis in organic chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preferred candidates will have a PhD (terminal degree) and have at least 3 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

Faculty Position: 

This appointment is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure-track position at the rank of Teaching Professor, with a start date in Spring 2026. Compensation for the Spring 2026 semester will be paid on a bi-weekly basis at a per-unit rate of $2,950-$3,039, commensurate with qualifications. Director responsibilities will be tracked via timecard and compensated at an hourly rate of $65.50-$67.50.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, should the appointment continue, the position will convert to an annual appointment with a monthly salary range of $5,900-$6,077, with the final salary determined by whether the candidate holds a non-terminal or terminal degree.

Summer salary is also available and is commensurate with the per-unit rate for this position.

Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Applicants are asked to submit the following materials.

1. Letter of application
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching Statement and a sample syllabus
4. Contact information for three references who will be sent a link to upload letters.

Please keep the Teaching Statement to no more than 3 pages each. The statement of teaching philosophy could include how teaching strategies informed by chemical education research have been or will be implemented; strategies for assessing student learning; and especially outlining a commitment to inclusive pedagogical practices and approaches for creating an inclusive teaching environment.

Closing date: Open until filled 

Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Contact the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Dr. Jessica Bell (jessicabell@sandiego.edu) with any questions.

For technical questions or difficulties, contact the Employment Services Team at 619-260-6806 or jobs@sandiego.edu

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.