Science Department Chair Jobs
Science Department Chair jobs are open across K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities, from department lead to dean-level, with specializations in biology, chemistry, and interdisciplinary STEM programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Science Department Chair jobs
You will make an impact by:
- Plans, directs, and controls activities specific to the Science Department's program curriculum, instruction, facilities, equipment, supplies, and materials.
- Provides leadership for the Science Department through development, implementation and evaluation of curriculum in all science courses and textbooks for authenticity, critical thinking components and relevancy; ensures continuity between courses, as applicable.
- Plans, directs and provides daily guidance of didactic, laboratory, and clinical assignments and/or scheduling of classes and may teach as needed.
- Develops, implements, and maintains laboratory manuals for the science courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry and Microbiology to include the learning objectives, activities, and outcomes anticipated and related information/instruction on conducting experiments.
- Maintains the lab budget.
- Maintains the laboratory ensuring it is clean, has adequate supplies and equipment and supervises laboratory assistant staff.
- Supervises and oversees new and current science faculty in science content and classroom techniques only; assists in orientation functions as requested.
- Assists with accreditation compliance factors, site visits and related endeavors as applicable.
- Conducts weekly tutoring sessions or study skills workshops for students as needed.
- Consults with administration and faculty on curriculum, course, and program matters.
- Recommends to the Academic Dean all facility needs and modifications necessary to the functioning of the department.
- Initiates procedures for necessary repairs and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
- Delivers curriculum in accordance with approved syllabi, according to program objectives and required contact hours for courses taught.
- Employs appropriate instructional methods and learning strategies to communicate subject matter to students and modifies where appropriate to meet diverse students' needs.
- Observes and evaluates students' work to determine progress, provides feedback, and makes suggestions for improvement and is responsible for the retention of students in science courses.
- Five years relevant experience with a minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience in the subject areas taught and two to three years increasingly responsible management and supervisory experience in one or more areas of academic instructional management preferred.
- Must be knowledgeable in course content, effective in directing and evaluating student learning and laboratory performance and be prepared in educational theory and techniques.
- Knowledge of academic, general education, instructional curriculum at both the course and program level, integrated instructional and student development programs and evaluation techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulations relating to programs, governmental compliance and other regulatory standards such as Title IV, ACICS, WASC and other accreditation standards.
Master’s degree required Coursework and/or credits in the subject area is required.- PhD or MD degree preferred
Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.
At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.
WCU EEO Statement:West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.
You will make an impact by:
- Plans, directs, and controls activities specific to the Science Department's program curriculum, instruction, facilities, equipment, supplies, and materials.
- Provides leadership for the Science Department through development, implementation and evaluation of curriculum in all science courses and textbooks for authenticity, critical thinking components and relevancy; ensures continuity between courses, as applicable.
- Plans, directs and provides daily guidance of didactic, laboratory, and clinical assignments and/or scheduling of classes and may teach as needed.
- Develops, implements, and maintains laboratory manuals for the science courses such as Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry and Microbiology to include the learning objectives, activities, and outcomes anticipated and related information/instruction on conducting experiments.
- Maintains the lab budget.
- Maintains the laboratory ensuring it is clean, has adequate supplies and equipment and supervises laboratory assistant staff.
- Supervises and oversees new and current science faculty in science content and classroom techniques only; assists in orientation functions as requested.
- Assists with accreditation compliance factors, site visits and related endeavors as applicable.
- Conducts weekly tutoring sessions or study skills workshops for students as needed.
- Consults with administration and faculty on curriculum, course, and program matters.
- Recommends to the Academic Dean all facility needs and modifications necessary to the functioning of the department.
- Initiates procedures for necessary repairs and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
- Delivers curriculum in accordance with approved syllabi, according to program objectives and required contact hours for courses taught.
- Employs appropriate instructional methods and learning strategies to communicate subject matter to students and modifies where appropriate to meet diverse students' needs.
- Observes and evaluates students' work to determine progress, provides feedback, and makes suggestions for improvement and is responsible for the retention of students in science courses.
- Five years relevant experience with a minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience in the subject areas taught and two to three years increasingly responsible management and supervisory experience in one or more areas of academic instructional management preferred.
- Must be knowledgeable in course content, effective in directing and evaluating student learning and laboratory performance and be prepared in educational theory and techniques.
- Knowledge of academic, general education, instructional curriculum at both the course and program level, integrated instructional and student development programs and evaluation techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulations relating to programs, governmental compliance and other regulatory standards such as Title IV, ACICS, WASC and other accreditation standards.
Master’s degree required Coursework and/or credits in the subject area is required.- PhD or MD degree preferred
Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.
At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.
WCU EEO Statement:West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.
Science Department Chair Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Science Department Chair JobsScience Department Chair Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in science department chair jobs.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a science discipline relevant to the department
- Prior classroom teaching experience at the appropriate grade or collegiate level
- Experience managing curriculum development, course scheduling, or accreditation processes
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, evaluate, and support faculty or instructional staff
- Familiarity with lab safety regulations, OSHA standards, or chemical inventory management
- Strong written communication skills for grant writing, reporting, and stakeholder correspondence
Tips for Your Science Department Chair Job Search
Align your resume to academic governance
Hiring committees want to see budget oversight, curriculum development, and faculty evaluation on your resume. Generic teaching credentials won't distinguish you. Pull specific examples of scheduling, accreditation work, or program launches you led.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists science department chair openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by institution type first
Community colleges, R1 universities, and K-12 districts use different hiring timelines and want different leadership profiles. Filter your search by institution type before applying so your cover letter addresses the right context and priorities.
Show lab safety and compliance ownership
Many postings require demonstrated responsibility for OSHA compliance, chemical inventory, or lab safety audits. If you've owned those processes, make them explicit on your resume rather than burying them under general department management language.
Prepare a teaching philosophy and leadership statement
Most science department chair searches request both a teaching philosophy and a separate leadership or administrative vision statement. Write them as distinct documents. Committees notice when candidates submit one document that conflates both.
Follow up after the campus visit stage
Academic searches often go quiet for weeks after campus interviews. Send a brief, substantive follow-up referencing one specific conversation from your visit. It reinforces fit without pressuring the committee.
Science Department Chair Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most science department chairs?
The companies hiring the most science department chairs right now include Post University, Talladega College, and New York University, with the largest share of openings in Arizona, Florida, and Missouri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. School districts and community college systems tend to post the highest volume of openings at any given time.
How many science department chair jobs are remote?
About 50% of science department chair openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of lab-based instruction and campus leadership. Administrative sub-roles such as curriculum coordination or grant writing are more likely to include remote flexibility than positions requiring direct lab supervision.
How do you become a science department chair?
Most science department chairs start as full-time science teachers or faculty members, then take on informal leadership roles such as mentoring new staff, leading curriculum committees, or coordinating department budgets. Building a record of program improvement, accreditation participation, and faculty collaboration positions you for a formal chair appointment when openings arise. Advanced degrees and administrative endorsements strengthen your candidacy at the collegiate level.
Can you get a science department chair job with limited administrative experience?
Yes, especially at smaller schools or institutions willing to develop internal candidates. Committees often consider strong teachers who have informally led curriculum work, managed lab safety compliance, or chaired hiring committees. Frame any project leadership, budget responsibility, or cross-department coordination as administrative experience, even if it was not a formal title.
What does the science department chair interview process look like?
Most searches involve an initial screening interview with HR or a search committee, followed by a campus or on-site interview that includes a teaching demonstration, a meeting with faculty, and a separate session with school or institutional leadership. Finalists are often asked to present a vision statement or respond to a hypothetical department challenge. The full process typically takes several rounds over a few weeks.
Where can I find and apply to science department chair jobs?
You can find and apply to science department chair jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from school districts, colleges, and universities across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 12 Science Department Chair Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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