Margaret and Herman Sokol Endowed Chair of Chemistry

Montclair State University•Montclair, NJ

About The Position

Montclair State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites applications for the Margaret and Herman Sokol Endowed Chair of Chemistry, an endowed faculty appointment connected with the Margaret and Herman Sokol Institute for Pharmaceutical Life Sciences. The successful candidate will hold a simultaneous tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, as appropriate to their experience and qualifications. Tenure upon appointment may be available in accordance with university standards. The endowed chair appointment is for a five-year term and is eligible for renewal following a performance review. The candidate may also have the opportunity to serve as Director of the Sokol Institute. The chairholder will maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarship and innovation in areas such as medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, drug discovery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, computational and AI-enabled therapeutic development, biologics, and biomaterials. The role contributes to the department’s academic mission through undergraduate and graduate teaching, service, and student mentorship. The successful candidate will join the organic chemistry faculty group and contribute to organic chemistry instruction and curriculum development. Faculty responsibilities also include student advising and mentoring, course and curriculum development, research and scholarly activity, and service to department, college, university, and professional communities. The standard annual teaching load for tenure-track faculty is 12 teaching credit hours per semester. Reassigned time is available for specified responsibilities and research: research-active faculty may receive up to 3 teaching credit hours of reassigned time per semester through the Faculty Scholarship Program, and the Sokol Professorships include an additional 3 teaching credit hours of reassigned time per semester. The posting states that the maximum teaching load is 6 teaching credit hours per semester. The Sokol Institute advances multidisciplinary research and innovation addressing global health challenges and fosters collaboration among faculty, students, academic partners, and industry researchers. The department emphasizes hands-on learning, research, and an inclusive, supportive educational environment. The position’s starting date is August 27, 2027.

Requirements

Earned Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a closely related field.
Strong foundation in chemistry or biochemistry.
At least 6 years of independent academic or industry experience.
Record of achievement sufficient for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
Potential for future success in research and scholarship aligned with the Sokol Institute’s mission.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or relevant industry supervisory and mentoring experience.
Commitment to excellence in education and the training and development of future scientists.

Nice To Haves

Interest and commitment to service.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or industrial setting.

Responsibilities

Maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarship and innovation in areas aligned with the Sokol Institute’s mission.
Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, including organic chemistry instruction.
Contribute to organic chemistry curriculum development.
Mentor and advise students and support the training and development of future scientists.
Design and deliver courses with clear learning outcomes, inclusive pedagogies, and relevant disciplinary and pedagogical developments.
Develop and update courses and curricula in alignment with student demands and institutional priorities.
Share research results in significant national or international scholarly venues following rigorous review.
Perform service to the department, college or school, university, and professional communities, including shared governance and supporting academic program vitality.
Potentially serve as Director of the Margaret and Herman Sokol Institute for Pharmaceutical Life Sciences.