Description
Swarthmore College: Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
Location
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Description
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Swarthmore College invites applications for a full-time two-year appointment at the level of Visiting Assistant Professor to begin in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will have research interests in the field of physical chemistry, broadly defined. The candidate will participate in the physical chemistry lecture and laboratory curricula as well as in the general chemistry curricula and potentially other areas as opportunity and interest allows. Opportunities for directing undergraduate research are available, and the College offers students stipends to support their participation during the summer.
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Swarthmore College consists of 9.5 faculty, one lecturer, four lab instructors, one instrument specialist, one academic support coordinator, and one academic coordinator. All together, we have ~20 Chemistry and Biochemistry majors per year. The curriculum is typical of many Chemistry departments but is unique in offering a one-semester General Chemistry course, a variety of upper level topic-specific seminars, and close research collaborations between students and faculty. Major classes are small, students are motivated and ambitious, and the opportunity for collaboration with students as well as colleagues is real and constant. For more information on the department, see: https://www.swarthmore.edu/chemistry-biochemistry
Swarthmore College is a coeducational, top ranked liberal arts college with ~1600 students. The campus is located 16 miles southwest of Center City Philadelphia, 15 miles northeast of Wilmington, Delaware, and is a stop on the SEPTA Media/WAWA line.
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable experience effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body. For more information available to all faculty at Swarthmore, see https://www.swarthmore.edu/provosts-office/welcome-to-provosts-office
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have a PhD in physical chemistry, or related field, in hand by August 2026. Previous teaching experience is highly valued.
Application Instructions
Candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and scanned PDF copies of their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. The cover letter should speak to your interest in working at a small liberal arts college and qualifications for teaching physical chemistry courses. In addition, the cover letter can express your experience and plans for incorporating undergraduate students in a research program as well as experience and plans for creating a more inclusive environment for students. Arrange to have 3 letters of recommendation submitted via Interfolio. Applications will not be considered until letters of recommendation have been submitted. Please address any questions you may have to Lauren Nuttle (lnuttle1@swarthmore.edu).
Applications should be submitted at: apply.interfolio.com/178527
All applications received by January 9, 2026, will receive full consideration, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to working effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body.
Requirements
The successful candidate will have a PhD in physical chemistry, or related field, in hand by August 2026. Previous teaching experience is highly valued.
