2025 Organic Chemistry Assistant Professor

Wenzhou-Kean University

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), located in Wenzhou, China, one of three Sino-American universities along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University, is approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Wenzhou is one of the most vibrant and economically advanced developed cities on China’s East Coast, located one hour by plane and three hours by high-speed train from Shanghai.

WKU sits on approximately 500 beautiful acres and currently enrolls about 5,100 undergraduate students, and it is now in the midst of a rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,000 students within the next three years. All instruction is in English and all curriculum is provided by Kean University. 

In addition to its current 18 undergraduate programs, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education for offering 8 Master’s and 3 doctorate programs. WKU highly values research-powered teaching and learning, and the average number of faculty publications and the Field-weighted Citation Impact are among the best of leading Chinese academic institutions.

About the Job:

The College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology seeks highly motivated individuals to join the Chemistry department at WKU.

All faculty positions are full-time assignments, practical for the start of the 2025 Spring semester or later if positions are unfilled. These positions are full-time assignments appointed on a 3-year contract at the first instance and are renewable upon successful reappointment review.

A Tenure-track Assistant Professor is a full-time, 10-month employee. These positions are appointed on a 3-year contract at the first instance, which will be renewed contingent on positive evaluations. Tenure-track faculty will apply for tenure after six years of service. Early career researchers with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or closely related disciplines obtained within the past 10 years from reputable universities including Carnegie R1 institutions or equivalent research institutions renowned for their academic excellence in these fields.

Tenure-track candidates should possess a strong track record for publication and be ready to lead their research groups independently. Tenure-track faculty are required to teach 24 credits per academic year, conduct research, and provide service to the university and professional community. Six credits of teaching release time will be provided to new faculty each year for the first three consecutive years of the appointment to support external research grant development and other significant research endeavors. The university will provide generous start-up grants (up to 300,000 RMB) to support the research programs of new faculty. After joining WKU, faculty will apply to various internal research funds, including international research collaboration grants (up to 300,000 RMB per project) and external grants at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. Tenure-track faculty are also expected to provide service to the university and/or professional community.

Teaching assignments and related responsibilities may include day, evening, and online courses. Interest or experience in using advanced instructional technologies to improve the teaching/learning process is highly desirable. All faculty may be required to teach General Education courses as needed. Opportunities are also available to teach disciplinary support courses. 

Faculty positions at WKU offer:

$70,000-$78,000 for Assistant Professors. The salary of extraordinary candidates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. A well-rounded healthcare coverage, academic travel up to $2,000, housing options and subsidy up to $3,000, home traveling up to $6,000 (2 international round-trip airfares), a reimbursement to cover relocation expenses up to $1,000, shuttle bus to campus for work, and up to 8% front-load retirement benefits within accordance with completion of years of service with the University. WKU tuition waiver up to 50% for spouse/dependent children of faculty for undergraduate programs. Tuition discount of private/international kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools for children of faculty. A collegial environment. Startup grant of up to 80,000 RMB. Three-year initial contract. Six-credit course release per academic year for the first three years. The opportunity to teach high-quality students. About 50% of graduates have been admitted to graduate schools at the World’s Top 50 Universities, and about 60% of graduates at the World’s Top 100 Universities.

Qualifications

A doctorate in Organic Chemistry or closely related fields is required. English fluency is required. Candidates are expected to have postgraduate research experience in organic chemistry or a closely related discipline. The selected candidate is expected to get externally funded independent research projects and to teach courses in their area of expertise at the undergraduate and graduate levels. For tenure-track positions, early career researchers with a doctorate degree obtained within the past 10 years from reputable universities including Carnegie R1 institutions or equivalent research institutions renowned for their academic excellence in these fields.

Tenure-track candidates should possess a strong track record for publication and be ready to lead their research groups independently. Tenure track candidates are expected to plan and conduct research and develop extramurally funded research programs involving students, which is essential for tenure and promotion. Tenure track candidates are also expected to publish peer-reviewed articles in impactful journals in organic chemistry or closely related fields. In addition to teaching and student-engaging research duties, candidates are also expected to contribute to the growth of the programs, including but not limited to curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment/advisement, senior project supervision, internship opportunities, research experiences for undergraduates (REU), etc.

Application Instructions

Applicants are REQUIRED to apply online. To receive full consideration by the search committee, candidates need to submit the following documents via Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/157147) 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research goals, unofficial transcripts, two most recent peer-reviewed academic publications, and contact information of three professional references. Official transcripts for all degrees and three current letters of recommendation are required before the appointment.

Background Screening:

Wenzhou-Kean University conducts background screenings on all candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings.