Position Overview
The University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) invites applications for Teaching-track Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. This is a full-time (100% FTE) position with a 9-month service period and an expected start date of September 16, 2026. The initial appointment will be for a three-year term, eligible for reappointment after successful academic review.
Responsibilities
All faculty at the UW engage in teaching, scholarship, and service within their department, school, the University, and their professional community. UW Tacoma and the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences are committed to hiring and supporting faculty who will enhance diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching, scholarship, and service activities.
The successful candidate will be expected to perform highly effective and inclusive teaching, using a variety of pedagogical techniques and technologies, in an urban-serving campus environment. Faculty at UWT are expected to teach in multiple modalities, including in-person, online, and hybrid courses. The successful candidate will also be expected to mentor undergraduate students in an academic setting.
The successful candidate will teach primarily in our lower-division Organic Chemistry, which includes both in-person lecture and in-person laboratory instruction. There may be additional opportunities for instruction in lower and upper division Chemistry courses, depending on areas of interest. There will be opportunities for engagement in curriculum development and improvement in both lecture and laboratory instruction. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to incorporate high-impact and inclusive practices in their teaching and to participate in mentorship and advising for our undergraduate students in the Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. The successful candidate is currently expected to teach six (6) undergraduate courses that contain both lecture and laboratory components. As teaching needs may fluctuate, specific arrangements of courses may change, but the load for this position is set at a level equivalent to seven (7) undergraduate lecture courses per academic year. The candidate will also be expected to support the department's commitment to institutional service, professional development, and community outreach. For more information about community partnership opportunities, visit https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/community-partnerships .
Compensation
The base salary range for this position is $8,000 to $8,444 per month ($72,000-$75,966) per 9-month academic year}, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include a one-time relocation allowance, if applicable, and professional/research funds. A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/
About UW Tacoma
The University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) is an urban-serving institution committed to providing a community-engaged education to a diverse student body. The UWT campus is located on the ancestral lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians within the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. Established in 1990, our thriving downtown campus serves students of a wide range of ages and backgrounds; including an overall undergraduate population consisting over more than 50% first-generation college students.
The University of Washington Tacoma is one of three campuses of the University of Washington, providing faculty with access to the resources of a major, state-flagship research university while working and teaching within a small campus setting. The University of Washington is among the 119 institutions of higher education in the U.S. to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation denoting institutional commitment to community engagement. UWT is a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) and a federally funded Asian American Native American Pacific Islander- Serving Institution (AANAPISI). In particular, the Tacoma campus is renowned for its community-engaged activities, wherein many of its faculty, students, and staff are taking an active role in transforming the city and region into a thriving and just collective of communities.
Faculty at UWT have access to the resources of a major research university while working and teaching within a small campus setting. UWT consists of approximately 5,000 students, across seven schools, and offers a variety of professional and academic degrees and certifications. UWT’s commitment to equity and inclusion is central to maintaining an atmosphere wherein students, staff, faculty, and community members find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth.
Consistent with UWT’s urban-serving mission, our campus provides a unique environment for faculty to creatively develop their teaching, scholarship, and service portfolios, and to engage with the Tacoma community. UWT’s commitment to diversity and belonging is central to this mission, and to creating an atmosphere where students, staff, faculty, and community members find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth. For more information about UW Tacoma, visit www.tacoma.uw.edu .
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The University of Washington Tacoma and the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences are dedicated to hiring and supporting faculty who will enhance diversity, social equity, and inclusion in higher education through their teaching, scholarship, and service. Creative scholarship agendas linking knowledge, community service, and professional practice are supported and encouraged. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and areas of practice to apply.
Freqently Asked Questions
Tacoma's academic sector, especially in organic chemistry, features moderate competition due to limited specialized faculty roles like the assistant professor at Uw Tacoma. Candidates with strong interdisciplinary teaching and community engagement backgrounds gain an edge, reflecting the university's urban and inclusive mission.
Tacoma's diverse and first-generation student population encourages chemistry professors to adopt inclusive, hands-on teaching methods. Emphasizing hybrid and in-person labs, educators tailor instruction to urban learners, enhancing engagement and aligning with Uw Tacoma’s community-driven academic culture.
Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in organic chemistry or closely related fields, demonstrate excellence in diverse teaching modalities, and show commitment to mentorship and curriculum innovation. Experience in urban-serving institutions or community engagement notably strengthens candidacy.
Progression often involves reappointment post successful reviews, moving towards tenure-track or senior faculty positions. Active scholarship, community involvement, and curriculum development at Uw Tacoma pave the way for leadership roles within interdisciplinary arts and sciences.
Uw Tacoma blends major research university resources with a tight-knit urban campus vibe, focusing heavily on community engagement and diversity. Assistant professors here balance teaching, scholarship, and service uniquely tailored to urban, first-generation, and minority-serving institution settings.
Faculty must adeptly manage six undergraduate organic chemistry courses annually, including lectures and labs, across hybrid and in-person formats. There’s a strong emphasis on inclusive pedagogies and mentoring students in biomedical and environmental sciences, reflecting Uw Tacoma’s diversity goals.
Monthly salaries range from $8,000 to $8,444, equating to $72,000-$75,966 for the 9-month academic year. Additional perks may include relocation allowances and professional research funds, aligning compensation with regional standards and federal wage determinations.
While formal certifications are not explicitly required, demonstrated expertise in inclusive teaching practices, curriculum development, and community-engaged scholarship align closely with Uw Tacoma’s mission. Experience in minority-serving or urban-serving institutions is highly valued.
Community involvement is integral; faculty contribute through outreach, partnerships, and service that connect academic work with regional needs. This role expands beyond classroom teaching, fostering social equity and strengthening ties between the university and Tacoma's diverse communities.
Tacoma offers accessible urban transit but commuting times vary depending on neighborhood choices. Prospective faculty should consider proximity to campus, cost of living, and relocation support offered by Uw Tacoma to ease transition into this dynamic Pacific Northwest city.
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