Navigating Chemistry Instruction Roles at The Claremont Colleges
The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven prestigious institutions, offer a unique academic environment. This article will explore the chemistry instructor job descriptions within this consortium, focusing on Claremont McKenna College (CMC) and Pomona College. These descriptions provide insights into the requirements, expectations, and opportunities for prospective chemistry instructors.
The Claremont Colleges: An Overview
As one of the nation's most selective private liberal arts colleges, CMC sits among the intellectually-stimulating, socially-fulfilling, seven-college community known as The Claremont Colleges, a system modeled after England's Oxford University. The Claremont Colleges consortium constitutes an academic community of more than 9,000 students. It also includes Pomona College, Scripps College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University, and Keck Graduate Institute. Claremont is located 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Pomona College, established in 1887, is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities.
Faculty Positions at Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) educates its students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in economics, government and public affairs. CMC's strong grounding in the liberal arts, together with its emphasis on economics, government, and international relations, attracts students who approach education pragmatically and who intend to make a difference in the world. With this broad-based foundation graduates leave CMC well prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. The College's cutting-edge research institutes provide students unprecedented opportunities to work alongside their professors and discover how what they learn in the classroom links to life in the world behond. In recent years CMC has gained national recognition as one of the top liberal arts colleges in America. This recognition can be attributed, in part, to CMC's mission which acknowledges its obligation for service to the larger scholarly community through faculty contact with business and with government, a process that enriches both the outside world and the campus itself. Also contributing to CMC's national reputation are the accomplishments of its almost 8,000 alumni.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry
The Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences at Claremont McKenna College seeks applicants for a full-time, two-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry starting on July 1, 2026.
Responsibilities: The successful applicant will teach lecture and lab courses in introductory chemistry and biochemistry. The teaching load is five semester courses per year.
Read also: Exploring Claremont McKenna
Qualifications: The successful candidate is expected to hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related discipline by the time of the appointment.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Given the College’s commitment to cultivating an inclusive educational environment, we seek candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students representing a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds, political opinions, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, and religions. Moreover, as part of its commitment to The Open Academy, the College values freedom of expression, viewpoint diversity, and constructive dialogue.
Application Requirements: Applications should include a cover letter; curriculum vitae; teaching statement that addresses the candidate’s ability to teach, mentor, and inspire students representing a broad range of backgrounds (optionally, this can be addressed in a separate diversity statement); and evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Salary: Anticipated Annual Salary Range: $78,000 - $85,000
Equal Opportunity Employer: Claremont McKenna College is an equal opportunity employer. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the College actively encourages applications from members of historically under-represented groups in higher education.
Read also: Exploring Claremont McKenna
Faculty Positions at Pomona College
Pomona College is a selective liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 1700 undergraduate students and is a founding member of the Claremont Colleges, which include Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd, Keck Graduate Institute and Claremont Graduate University. As a result, Pomona students enjoy both the personalized instruction and close faculty-student interactions afforded by a small liberal arts college as well as the intellectual and extracurricular resources typically found at larger universities.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
The Chemistry Department at Pomona College invites applications for a temporary, one-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry. The position is full-time and has a teaching load of five courses for the academic year. The successful candidate will teach lecture and laboratory courses in general chemistry or organic chemistry. Research facilities are available.
Essential Functions: The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor exceptional students of diverse backgrounds-utilizing pedagogical practices that are rigorous, inclusive, and which promote academic equity.
Qualifications:
- Required: Ph.D. in hand by July 1, 2026
- Preferred: Demonstrable experience teaching lecture courses with laboratory
Application Requirements: Upload a single PDF document (up to 5MB) that includes a CV, a statement of teaching philosophy and career goals, a statement describing a demonstrated ability to mentor a diverse student body (Writing the Equity and Inclusion Statement), and undergraduate and graduate transcripts. You will also be asked to arrange for two letters of recommendation to be submitted through Workday.
Important Points:
- This position is not eligible for travel or moving expenses.
- You must show proof of authorization to work in the United States.
- Salary range for this role is $80,000 - $83,000 and it is commensurate with years in rank and teaching experience.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: As an equal opportunity workplace, Pomona College is committed to fairness regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, ability, gender identity or Veteran status. Through its Strategic Vision, Pomona College remains steadfast in its goal of creating workplace environments where all can flourish. The department welcomes applications from scholars who are ready to contribute to providing equitable access to education and expanding opportunities in the liberal arts and natural sciences.
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Requirements: The start date is effective July 1 with instruction beginning on Monday, August 31. After submitting proof of work authorization and completing onboarding, Visiting Assistant Professors are expected to attend the New Faculty Orientation, held in the weeks before fall classes start. This non-tenure-track position is instructional and does not require student advising, departmental service or participation in faculty governance.
Additional Faculty Opportunities at Pomona College
Pomona College also offers a Scholar in Residence Pre- or Postdoctoral Fellowship. Fellows teach two courses per year and are also responsible for public presentations. The Fellowship stipend is $75,000 and includes $3000 in research or conference funds each year of the fellowship.
Common Themes and Expectations
Several common themes emerge from these job descriptions:
- Teaching Load: The teaching load for these positions is generally five courses per year.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: A strong commitment to teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students from diverse backgrounds is essential.
- Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field is typically required by the start date.
- Application Materials: Common application materials include a cover letter, CV, teaching statement, diversity statement (or a statement addressing inclusive excellence), and letters of recommendation.
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