Chemistry & Biochemistry - Forensic Science, Lecturer (Forensic and Molecular Biology), Non-Tenure Track

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000
Benefits Information: https://www.luc.edu/hr/benefits/

The Forensic Science Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University Chicago seeks qualified candidates for an appointment as Lecturer beginning Fall 2026. Housed in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola's Forensic Science faculty are dedicated to quality undergraduate teaching and a student-centered approach to education. By engaging in active research and service projects, faculty members contribute to the advancement of the field and bring their insights back into the classroom. The program has a faculty of nine lecturers: three full-time and six part-time. Our curriculum is built on the fundamental natural sciences of chemistry and biology. The program currently serves 307 students with about 30 BS graduates per year. Students can pursue capstone courses in forensic toxicology, molecular biology, and anthropology. For more information about the Forensic Science Program, please visit its website at www.luc.edu/forensicscience.

We welcome candidates with strong teaching profiles in forensic and molecular biology ( DNA) and appropriate professional experience in this area of forensic analysis. The successful candidate will be required to teach forensic science courses in a nationally accredited program (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, FEPAC) and should be familiar with the standards set forth in this accreditation.

This search is part of a College-wide, multiyear hiring initiative designed to hire outstanding researchers and teachers who are prepared to contribute to a culture of inclusion, committed to interdisciplinarity, dedicated to the pursuit of external grants, and appreciative of a Jesuit, Catholic education.

This position involves teaching courses in Forensic Biology and Forensic Molecular Biology ( DNA). Candidates will be asked to teach courses that integrate undergraduate research experiences in forensic science. Additional teaching may be assigned in the Forensic Science program, Biology Department, or Chemistry and Biochemistry department to complete a full-time 4-4 teaching load. The successful candidate will also engage in professional development activities as well as service at the program level or above.

The candidate will have a PhD in biology or a closely related field at the time of appointment and at least three years relevant experience as a forensic science practitioner in an operational forensic science laboratory setting. Candidates for the position must demonstrate clear potential for excellence in teaching and student mentorship. Excellent organizational and communication skills are desirable. The candidate must be willing to support the mission of Loyola University Chicago and the goals of a Jesuit, Catholic education.

The candidate will have a PhD in biology or a closely related field at the time of appointment and at least three years relevant experience as a forensic science practitioner in an operational forensic science laboratory setting. Candidates for the position must demonstrate clear potential for excellence in teaching and student mentorship. Excellent organizational and communication skills are desirable. The candidate must be willing to support the mission of Loyola University Chicago and the goals of a Jesuit, Catholic education.

The anticipated salary range for this position is in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This salary range is for a nine-month academic appointment. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on a range of factors including, but not limited to, the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree; training; field or discipline; budget availability; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Applicants should submit to www.careers.luc.edu (1) a letter of interest; (2) a current Curriculum Vitae; (3) a statement on teaching philosophy and experience; (4) a statement addressing past or potential contributions to mentoring a diverse student body and engaging a diverse community through teaching and service; and (5) the names and email addresses of three individuals prepared to provide letters of recommendation (letter writers will receive an electronic prompt asking them to submit their letters).

Please direct inquiries to:

James V. DeFrancesco, PhD

Director - Forensic Science Program

Loyola University Chicago

Flanner Hall, Rm 012

1068 W. Sheridan Rd.

Chicago, IL 60660

jdefrancesco@luc.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications received before November 27, 2025 will receive full consideration.

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university's focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.

Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes-including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences-Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country's most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.

Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University's Nondiscrimination Policy.