Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty

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.

REQUIREMENTS

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. Rank is open and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

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.

FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES

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 (see Educating for Shalom and Faculty Expectations) Calvin provides numerous faculty development opportunities to foster growth in these commitments.

FACULTY RESOURCES

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.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry consists of 10 full-time faculty members who are committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching, collaborative research, and student mentoring. The department is ACS accredited and offers undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biochemistry.

Faculty and students pursue a wide range of research programs supported by external funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Corporation, and the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF).

Faculty work closely with undergraduate researchers in a collaborative and supportive environment that values outstanding teaching, meaningful scholarship, and long-term mentoring relationships.

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

ABOUT CALVIN UNIVERSITY

Calvin University is a top-ranked national university that equips students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. Approximately 3,600 Calvin students study the liberal arts and select from a broad range of majors and professional programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate level offerings.

The university is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a thriving metropolitan region of approximately one million people situated equidistant from Chicago and Detroit. Furthermore, the West Michigan region is ranked by Forbes as the #1 place to raise a family. For more information, please visit http://www.calvin.edu/go/facultyopenings.

Calvin is building a tradition of diversity and accessibility and welcomes applications from persons whose personal characteristics will further that commitment.  Calvin does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex, or age.  Calvin University is an educational agency of the Christian Reformed Church and, in compliance with Title VII and other applicable law, reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion.

TO APPLY

Complete the online application process and attach the following:

• Cover letter that specifically addresses the requirements and responsibilities of the position, including your interest in teaching and scholarship at a Reformed Christian University
• Curriculum vitae
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• Research statement (2-3 pages) describing plans for a research program involving undergraduate students
• Teaching philosophy statement (~ 1 page)
• Statement (1-2 pages) describing how your Christian faith informs your teaching and scholarship
• Three letters of recommendation, submitted directly to the department chair, Dr. David Benson, [email protected]

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.  

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.