Assistant/Associate Professor of Chemistry

About the Job

The successful candidate teaches courses and develops curriculum in the Chemistry and Physical Sciences program housed within the School of Science and Engineering in the College of Undergraduate Studies. Courses are traditional, in-seat, and offered on our Lakewood, Colorado campus. Minimum requirements are a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related discipline combined with a passion for teaching at the undergraduate level.

Faculty members of Colorado Christian University (CCU) teach assigned courses for which they are highly qualified within the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS). Courses are traditional, in-seat, and offered on our Lakewood, Colorado campus. Each faculty member uses effective instruction techniques as a subject matter expert, but their primary responsibility is to integrate field-specific pedagogy with the Bible and a Christian worldview. They are also expected to integrate and teach CCU’s spiritual, academic, and cultural Strategic Priorities. 

Other duties are to support the mission and vision of CCU. This may include actively participating in committee/task force/team meetings, writing curriculum, reporting on assessments/outcomes, advancing scholarship, engaging with the community, supporting colleagues, or doing other work assigned by the dean. Faculty members are expected to keep regular office hours, to engage with students, and assist them with their academics or other activities that support the University’s holistic approach.

The standard teaching load is 24 credit hours of undergraduate courses per year or four courses per semester.

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

About CCU

Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is "grace and truth," which comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV) 

CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.

CCU embraces an educational model that was there at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character, and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time. 

A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

CCU offers more than 100 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 8,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?

1. Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
2. Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
3. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.

We’re looking for candidates who have:

1. A Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field strongly preferred, master's degree required. Each faculty member must be considered highly qualified as outlined by the University’s accreditation and academic standards.
2. Three or more years of successful teaching experience in a college or university with a proven track record of student learning and engagement through previous classroom evaluations by students, faculty, and administration.
3. The ability to integrate their Christian worldview and biblical perspective into their discipline in the classroom and among the campus community.
4. Superior oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
5. Passion for Christ-centered higher education and dedication to the integration of faith and learning in their field.
6. Deep commitment to student success.
7. Proficiency in appropriate Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and are able to use appropriate software/technology (Blackboard) in the learning environment.
8. A commitment to learning new ideas for classroom presentations and dynamic class interactions to engage student learning in a meaningful way consistent with the University’s mission.
9. A proven track record and ongoing experience in their field.

Workload

12-month contract. Responsible to teach 24 units per year (typically 4 undergraduate courses per semester).

Key Job Duties

1. Contribute to CCU’s mission: Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. The School of Science and Engineering faculty contribute to the University’s mission beyond the classroom through activities such as committee/task force/team work, community development, or similar activities internally and externally, which enhance and advance exemplary academics, personal spiritual growth, and engagement with the world.
2. Advocate for CCU’s mission, traditional Christian beliefs, and the Strategic Priorities.
3. Teach assigned undergraduate courses within CUS in accord with all standard policies and procedures using a variety of best-practice teaching and learning strategies, including classroom and online technology, to enhance instruction.
4. Develop, implement, and evaluate course curriculum, teaching-learning practices, and assess student learning outcomes.
5. Engage students by maintaining established office hours and be available to individual students for questions, coursework, consultations, and informal mentoring.
6. Engage in professional organization activities and scholarly work including, but not limited to, publications and presentations commensurate with experience and academic rank.
7. Provide strategic thinking in fulfilling the goals of CUS in support of the University’s Strategic Priorities as well as contribute effectively to the University community, ministry partners, corporate partners, and general audiences. Strong participation in faculty, committee, or other meetings is an integral part of this position.
8. Add to the development of a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars within CUS. Continue to grow in one’s academic field, and in personal commitment to and effectiveness in the integration of Christian faith and learning.
9. Provide effective servant/shepherd leadership among faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
10. Work effectively and positively with administrators, other faculty colleagues, and support staff to establish and maintain effective positive working relationships.
11. Participate in extracurricular activities to support and encourage students, colleagues and staff.
12. Assist the dean with other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee may work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Regular public presentations to students, parents, and external constituents required. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Faculty pay will be assigned by rank at a range of $50,000-$65,000. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process.