Position Summary

John Brown University is seeking a full-time faculty member to join the Department of Chemistry and Physics beginning in Fall 2025. The ideal candidate will be a passionate educator with expertise in upper-level instrumental and organic laboratory instruction, committed to fostering student success and collaboration within the department. A strong interest in guiding undergraduate students through chemistry research is also highly desired. Primary responsibilities will include teaching the upper-level instrumental and organic laboratory courses and upper-level lecture courses that align with department needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, advising and recruitment of students, participation in departmental governance, attendance and participation at public events, as appropriate, and service on college and university committees.

Program

The Chemistry program is a heavily mentored, thesis driven program. Students experience individual training on research grade analytical instruments, mentored teaching assistantships, enhanced chemical hygiene training, and mentored research projects. Students majoring in biochemistry and chemistry are well-prepared for a career or graduate training in these disciplines. The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers pre-professional training for students interested in a wide variety of health-related careers such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistance, and public health. Additionally, this department offers courses that fulfill the Natural Science component of the university Core Curriculum.

Institution

John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Founded in 1919, JBU is a Christ-centered, Biblically-faithful, interdenominational university that represents the best of Protestant evangelicalism in our commitment to the following theological principles: the fundamental human need for conversion and lifelong discipleship; the centrality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the redemption of human beings; high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible as our authority; and active involvement in a local church, in missions and in ministries that work for Biblical justice and serve people in need. At JBU, we seek to integrate faith and learning, foster holistic Christian formation, promote pragmatic liberal arts education, and prepare people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life. Consistent with its evangelical identity, JBU’s board of trustees has articulated institutional commitments on certain theological issues or university practices. With God’s help, JBU seeks to live out these commitments faithfully and humbly with grace and truth. All employees must affirm JBU’s Employee Expectations and Articles of Faith.

With more than 2,300 students from 35 states and 37 countries, JBU offers approximately 50 undergraduate programs, seven fully online bachelor’s degrees, and 14 graduate degrees in business, education, cybersecurity, and counseling. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program-specific accreditations from various agencies. More information is available at jbu.edu/accreditation.

JBU has benefited from stable and excellent leadership throughout the organization. President Chip Pollard started in 2004 and has led the organization in consistently meeting enrollment goals, completing two capital campaigns and launching a third, finishing two strategic plans and launching a third, 17 major building projects, encouraging efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students, and navigating the educational and financial challenges of the pandemic successfully. He served on the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) board for thirteen years and as chair for five years. Most of the president’s cabinet has served for over 20 years, and all cabinet members have held volunteer leadership positions in the CCCU, ACSD, CIC, NACUBO, and other higher education associations. JBU’s board of trustees are people of deep Christian faith, generous spirit, and professional expertise, with an average length of service of 11 years. They are deeply committed to maintaining JBU’s mission to educate students to honor God and serve others.

JBU has experienced a season of God’s favor and blessing, for which we are grateful. In the last 20 years, JBU has received over $370 million in gifts and grants and has built or renovated over 90% of the university’s facilities. JBU has just under $4 million of long-term debt on over $300 million of assets. During that same time, JBU’s endowment has grown from about $50 million to over $185 million, much of it dedicated to scholarships and academic programs and to support maintenance costs for new facilities. This financial strength has enabled JBU to retain excellent faculty and staff with consistent compensation increases and funds for faculty and staff development. JBU has not been immune to the economic and cultural challenges facing higher education, but it is positioned better than many institutions to respond.

JBU has received national recognition from many national newspapers and industry journals. For instance, in nine out of the last ten years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has named JBU on its “high honor roll” in its “Great Place to Work” survey. The Wall Street Journal has named JBU to its Best Colleges list since 2019, ranking us the top private school in Arkansas (2025) and top Arkansas university overall (2020, 2022, 2024). We are typically in the top 10% in our category (master’s level universities in the South) in U.S. News and World Report rankings.

JBU is located in Northwest Arkansas, a region predicted to have the third fastest job growth rate in the country behind only Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Three of the largest corporations in the world are located here—Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt—and there is a growing technology, entrepreneurial, and art business ecosystem in the region. The quality of life is enhanced with a world-class art museum, Crystal Bridges, 25 miles from campus, over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, several state and national historic sites, parks, and large lakes, and a new $33 million whitewater rafting park just five miles south of campus. Siloam Springs has approximately 18,350 people with affordable housing and good private and public schools.

Important Dates

Position begins July 1, 2025. Screening process begins December 15, 2024, and continues until the position is filled.

Diversity

JBU desires to increase the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students to honor how all humans are created in the image of God, to reflect better the diversity of the Kingdom of God, to further our Christian commitment to justice, and to increase the quality of our educational experience. JBU is pursuing the goal of teaching and working in an intercultural environment and encourages applications from people interested in serving a diverse body of students. For more information, visit our diversity webpage. 

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a field related to Chemistry
• Must be able to teach the upper-level chemistry laboratory courses
• A commitment to teaching and to supporting teaching-related efforts
• A commitment to overseeing student research
• A commitment to good chemical hygiene practices
• A commitment to the integration of faith and learning
• A commitment to working with a diverse population of students, faculty and staff
• A commitment to supporting a culture of scholarship
• Must be a committed follower of Jesus Christ

Preferred Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a field related to Chemistry, Physics, or Biology
• Able to teach the upper-level Analytical Chemistry (and associated instrumental lab) and Organic Lab
• Demonstrated experience in teaching
• Demonstrated experience with diverse populations

About John Brown University

John Brown University's mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives. We are a Christ-centered, interdenominational university that leads the nation in integrating faith and learning, fostering holistic spiritual formation, promoting pragmatic liberal arts education, and preparing people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life.

Connections working at John Brown University