Assistant Professor Biochemistry

Job ID: 7472

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry to join our Chemistry team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .

The Role:

This position in the Department of Chemistry is expected to teach introductory and advanced chemistry and biochemistry courses for science majors as well as non-science majors. Faculty are expected to mentor students; contribute to the department/program; engage in scholarship appropriate to their field; and provide service to the University, the community and their profession. Faculty will integrate CWU's vision, mission, and values and create a learning environment that fosters student success and institutional excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

• Must have earned a PhD in biochemistry or chemistry or related field by the position start date
• Must show evidence of ability to be an excellent teacher at all levels.
• Willingness to teach a wide range of courses at all levels and modalities.
• Must show evidence of ability to conduct independent research involving undergraduate and MS graduate students.
• Teaching, research, service or other experience that has prepared the candidate to contribute to CWU's commitment to the engagement of students from a variety of backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications (please address in your cover letter:)

• University-level teaching experience
• Postdoctoral research or employment in a field of biochemistry
• Experience in curriculum development and improvement
• Potential to obtain external funding
• Experience working in a collaborative environment designed for broad student success.
• Demonstrated interest in promoting institutional excellence in classrooms and academic work environments.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Annual Salary: $65,136 - $78,000, based on a full-time nine-month appointment.
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Appointment: Full-Time, Tenure-Track, 9-month Appointment. Additional Summer teaching may be available. Central Washington University is on the quarter system with appointments from mid-September through mid-June.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance. CWU Benefits, Perks & Discounts Overview .

Additional Information: For additional information about the University, visit: http://www.cwu.edu
For additional information about Ellensburg, visit: http://www.myellensburg.com
OR http://www.kittitascountychamber.com

NOTE: Sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in this position and clearly demonstrating how your education and experience qualifies you to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting. This statement should include the following components:
  • (a) how you meet the required and preferred qualifications;
  • (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting (applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work will further CWU's commitment to access and opportunity);
• Share a research statement, limited to five pages, that describes your plans for development of a research program at CWU
• Curriculum Vitae including work history, education, and training
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Unofficial copies of transcripts of degrees held
• In addition to the online application, please provide three professional letters of recommendation e-mailed directly to chemistry@cwu.edu (At least one letter that specifically comments on teaching ability or the potential to be a successful teacher)

Screening Begins: September 16, 2026

Contact Information

Name: Lisa Stowe
Title: Search Committee Secretary
Email: chemistry@cwu.edu
Phone: 509-963-2811
Website: cwu.edu/academics/chemistry/

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

The conditions of employment with Central Washington University are set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Central Washington University and United Faculty of Central, University policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement may be found here: CWU Faculty Relations.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance , 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.

Location: Ellensburg, WA