Margaret and Herman Sokol Endowed Chair of Medicinal Chemistry

Montclair State University•Montclair, NJ

About The Position

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montclair State University seeks an accomplished scholar for the Margaret and Herman Sokol Endowed Chair of Medicinal Chemistry, associated with the Margaret and Herman Sokol Institute for Pharmaceutical Life Sciences. The position is intended for a scholar whose research examines the biological activity of organic compounds and includes a significant organic synthesis component. The Chair is expected to sustain a nationally recognized program of scholarship and innovation and contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, service, and student mentorship. The successful candidate will also hold a tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank appropriate to their experience and qualifications; tenure upon appointment may be available in accordance with university standards. The endowed appointment is for a five-year term and may be renewed following a performance review. The candidate may have the opportunity to serve as Director of the Sokol Institute. The successful candidate will join the department’s organic chemistry faculty group and contribute to organic chemistry teaching and curriculum development. Responsibilities include classroom instruction, mentoring and advising students, and developing and updating courses and curricula. Faculty are expected to center student success and measurable learning outcomes through clear course design, inclusive pedagogy, and the integration of disciplinary and pedagogical developments. The standard annual teaching load for tenure-track faculty is 12 teaching credit hours per semester. Research-active faculty may receive up to 3 teaching credit hours of reassigned time per semester through the Faculty Scholarship Program, and Sokol Professorships provide an additional 3 credit hours of reassigned time per semester for research; the maximum teaching load is therefore 6 credit hours per semester. Faculty are expected to produce scholarship or creative work that expands, enhances, or applies knowledge and to share results in significant national or international venues following rigorous review. Service includes contributions to the department, college or school, university, and professional communities, including shared governance and academic program vitality. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical biochemistry, and emphasizes hands-on learning, research, student support, and an inclusive environment. The Sokol Institute advances multidisciplinary research and innovation addressing global health challenges, with collaboration across areas including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, natural products chemistry, molecular biology, computational sciences, and environmental toxicology.

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 consistent with the mission of the Sokol Institute.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or relevant industry supervisory and mentoring experience.
Distinguished scholarly achievement, including demonstrated success developing and sustaining impactful, externally funded research programs, or scientific leadership and significant impact in industry.
Commitment to excellence in education and to training and developing future scientists.

Nice To Haves

Record demonstrating interest and commitment to service.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or industrial setting.

Responsibilities

Maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarship and innovation focused on the biological activity of organic compounds and incorporating significant organic synthesis.
Develop and sustain impactful, externally funded research and share results in significant national or international scholarly venues following rigorous review.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses as part of the organic chemistry faculty group and contribute to organic chemistry curriculum development.
Design courses around student success and measurable learning outcomes, using clear course design, inclusive pedagogies, and relevant disciplinary and pedagogical developments.
Mentor and advise students and contribute to their training and development as future scientists.
Develop and update courses and curricula in alignment with student demands and institutional strategic priorities.
Perform service to the department, college or school, university, and professional communities, including participation in shared governance and academic program vitality.
Potentially serve as Director of the Margaret and Herman Sokol Institute for Pharmaceutical Life Sciences.