Head of Depertment of Chemistry (Purdue University)

Req ID: 39996 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Institution: Purdue University Start Date: August 2026 Position Summary Purdue University invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry. This appointment will begin in August 2026. We seek a visionary academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, demonstrated administrative and leadership experience, sustained success in securing external research funding, and a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and inclusive academic leadership. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of tenured Full Professor. Responsibilities of the Department Head The Department Head will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership, including: Providing strategic direction that sustains existing strengths while launching new high-impact research initiatives Recruiting, mentoring, and retaining outstanding faculty across all areas of chemistry Fostering a collegial, inclusive, and supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students Advancing excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate education Overseeing departmental budgets, research infrastructure, and staff operations Representing and advocating for the department with internal and external stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and funding agencies Participating in fundraising and development activities Strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations across Purdue University and with external research and industry partners Required Qualifications Applicants must possess: A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field A record of scholarly distinction consistent with appointment as a tenured Full Professor at a leading AAU institution Demonstrated academic leadership experience, such as departmental or program administration, faculty mentoring, strategic planning, or program development Application Process Review of applications will begin January 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted through SuccessFactors and include: A cover letter (1–2 pages) summarizing research, teaching, and leadership experience A vision statement (up to 5 pages) outlining plans for departmental leadership and advancement of research, teaching, and professional development A curriculum vitae Names and contact information for three references (references will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates) A background check is required as a condition of employment. Nominations Nominations of outstanding candidates are encouraged and should be submitted to: Professor Julia Laskin Chair, Search Advisory Committee ???? chem-faculty-search@purdue.edu Department Overview The James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry at Purdue University is internationally recognized for excellence in research, education, and innovation. The department has a storied history of scientific leadership, including Nobel Prize–winning contributions in organic chemistry and a top-ranked analytical chemistry program. Research strengths include: Analytical instrumentation Synthetic chemistry and drug discovery Organometallic chemistry and catalysis Quantum information science Chemical biology and structural biology The department also has a strong culture of entrepreneurship, with drug discovery efforts generating substantial royalty income. Faculty and students benefit from exceptional facilities, including: Jonathan Amy Facility for Chemical Instrumentation NMR and X-ray Crystallography Facilities Research Instrumentation Center AI-Guided Drug Discovery and Automation Center High Throughput Experimentation Catalysis Center Center for Autonomous Materials Discovery High Throughput DESI Facility Chemistry faculty play leadership roles in major university initiatives such as Discovery Park, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, and the One Health Initiative. The department is also deeply engaged in Purdue Lilly 360, the largest academic–industry partnership in the United States. As of Fall 2025, the department comprises: 57 faculty 70 staff 7 lecturers 62 postdoctoral researchers 437 graduate students 485 undergraduate majors In AY 2024–25, approximately 16,500 undergraduate students and 1,750 graduate students were enrolled in CHM courses. More information: www.chem.purdue.edu College of Science Overview The Department of Chemistry is one of seven departments within Purdue’s College of Science, which spans the physical sciences, computing, and life sciences. The College includes more than 350 faculty and 6,000 undergraduate students, making it Purdue’s second-largest college. The College supports major initiatives such as Purdue Computes and One Health, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through extensive partnerships with Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Health and Human Sciences. More information: www.science.purdue.edu Equal Opportunity Statement Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. Posting Start Date: December 19, 2025 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Adminoxy

Req ID: 39996
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Institution: Purdue University
Start Date: August 2026

Position Summary

Purdue University invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry. This appointment will begin in August 2026.

We seek a visionary academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, demonstrated administrative and leadership experience, sustained success in securing external research funding, and a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and inclusive academic leadership. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of tenured Full Professor.

Responsibilities of the Department Head

The Department Head will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership, including:

Providing strategic direction that sustains existing strengths while launching new high-impact research initiatives
Recruiting, mentoring, and retaining outstanding faculty across all areas of chemistry
Fostering a collegial, inclusive, and supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students
Advancing excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate education
Overseeing departmental budgets, research infrastructure, and staff operations
Representing and advocating for the department with internal and external stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and funding agencies
Participating in fundraising and development activities
Strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations across Purdue University and with external research and industry partners

Required Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field
A record of scholarly distinction consistent with appointment as a tenured Full Professor at a leading AAU institution
Demonstrated academic leadership experience, such as departmental or program administration, faculty mentoring, strategic planning, or program development

Application Process

Review of applications will begin January 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications must be submitted through SuccessFactors and include:

A cover letter (1–2 pages) summarizing research, teaching, and leadership experience
A vision statement (up to 5 pages) outlining plans for departmental leadership and advancement of research, teaching, and professional development
A curriculum vitae
Names and contact information for three references (references will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates)

A background check is required as a condition of employment.

Nominations

Nominations of outstanding candidates are encouraged and should be submitted to:
Professor Julia Laskin
Chair, Search Advisory Committee
???? chem-faculty-search@purdue.edu

Department Overview

The James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry at Purdue University is internationally recognized for excellence in research, education, and innovation. The department has a storied history of scientific leadership, including Nobel Prize–winning contributions in organic chemistry and a top-ranked analytical chemistry program.

Research strengths include:

Analytical instrumentation
Synthetic chemistry and drug discovery
Organometallic chemistry and catalysis
Quantum information science
Chemical biology and structural biology

The department also has a strong culture of entrepreneurship, with drug discovery efforts generating substantial royalty income.

Faculty and students benefit from exceptional facilities, including:

Jonathan Amy Facility for Chemical Instrumentation
NMR and X-ray Crystallography Facilities
Research Instrumentation Center
AI-Guided Drug Discovery and Automation Center
High Throughput Experimentation Catalysis Center
Center for Autonomous Materials Discovery
High Throughput DESI Facility

Chemistry faculty play leadership roles in major university initiatives such as Discovery Park, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, and the One Health Initiative. The department is also deeply engaged in Purdue Lilly 360, the largest academic–industry partnership in the United States.

As of Fall 2025, the department comprises:

57 faculty
70 staff
7 lecturers
62 postdoctoral researchers
437 graduate students
485 undergraduate majors

In AY 2024–25, approximately 16,500 undergraduate students and 1,750 graduate students were enrolled in CHM courses.

More information: www.chem.purdue.edu

College of Science Overview

The Department of Chemistry is one of seven departments within Purdue’s College of Science, which spans the physical sciences, computing, and life sciences. The College includes more than 350 faculty and 6,000 undergraduate students, making it Purdue’s second-largest college.

The College supports major initiatives such as Purdue Computes and One Health, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through extensive partnerships with Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Health and Human Sciences.

More information: www.science.purdue.edu