Job Description

Title: Chairperson, Department of Chemistry - College of Arts and Sciences
Employee Classification: Department Chairperson
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Chemistry
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Department of Chemistry at Illinois State University invites applications for the position of Chairperson. The position is a 12-month, tenured position at the associate professor or professor rank, with a preferred starting date of July 1, 2027.

We seek an effective and creative leader who will promote and advance the vision of the Department of Chemistry. The Chairperson will provide academic and administrative leadership, maintain and secure resources for the department including development of annual budget, promote excellence in research and teaching, encourage pursuit of external funding, and foster a collegial atmosphere that supports our mission.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The Chemistry program at Illinois State University has a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research. The department offers undergraduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and chemistry teacher education, as well as three graduate degrees including a research-based Master of Science in Chemistry, a Master of Chemical Education, and a Master of Science in Chemical Education. The Department of Chemistry has 23 faculty, 18 tenure track and 5 non-tenure track, who lead nationally recognized research programs with ISU students and teach an overwhelming majority of the courses offered by the department. These efforts are supported by 7.5 outstanding staff members and serve approximately 185 undergraduate students and 40 graduate students across all degree programs. Additional information about the department can be found at www.Chemistry.IllinoisState.edu.

Founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university, Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, is one of only 27 institutions nationwide to earn both Research 2 (R2) and Opportunity Colleges and Universities (OCU) designations by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes campuses that foster student success and research. We enroll over 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2030, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Illinois State made U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings of America’s best public national universities based on academic quality and excellence. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026 and Normal ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2026). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$130K-180K, commensurate with qualification and experience

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Chemistry or a related field
• A significant record of both research and teaching excellence
• A record of successful administrative or other leadership experience
• Tenured at the rank of associate or full professor
• State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

Please submit PDF files of the following:

• Letter of application and administrative statement of leadership philosophy (5 page maximum)
• Research statement (5 page maximum)
• Teaching statement (5 page maximum)
• Curriculum vita
• List of three or more professional references, with contact information

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

For full consideration, applications need to be submitted by November 16, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. Illinois State University does not authorize out-of-state work.   

Contact Information for Applicants

Bruce Burningham (brburni@ilstu.edu), Chairperson of the Search Committee.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.