Teacher evaluations stapled to Clary's office wall are covered with writings from past students showing appreciation for Clary's teachings. Photo by Joshua Bessex.
With an increasing number of unassigned organic chemistry classes, the UW is looking to hire a full-time lecturer. But Scott Clary, a part-time lecturer in the department since 2008, has found himself unable to apply for the position.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree by date of appointment, states the application on the UW chemistry department website, which presents a problem for Clary.
Despite his teaching experience at the university, Clary does not hold a Ph.D. Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Robert Stacey said the requirement is standard for the UW and other research universities.
Throughout the College of Arts and Sciences, all our departments require the terminal degree in their field as a prerequisite for consideration for a tenure-track position, Stacey said. This is a standard requirement at all first-tier research universities across the country and around the world. In the natural sciences, the terminal degree is a Ph.D. The Ph.D. is a research degree, and research is a fundamental requirement for all professorial positions at the University of Washington.
However, if the hiring committee does not find a qualified candidate, the job can be relisted with fewer requirements, giving Clary the opportunity to apply. If the committee decides to make an offer to another Ph.D. chemist, Clary would no longer teach at the UW in any capacity.
These job opportunities are rare so I wanted to make every effort to be considered for the position, especially given the positive response that I have gotten from the department and my students, Clary said.
Clarys teaching style resonates with students. Course evaluations filled out by previous students show he has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. Junior Zachary Billman, who had Clary as a lecturer for a chemistry lab, said he was very approachable as a professor.
He was able to reach the course in a very laid-back way, as if he was just chatting with you, Billman said. This was very effective for that course in particular because he was able to address all of the important steps of the syntheses we would carry out throughout the week while preparing students for what unexpected things may happen so we wouldnt stress out. He taught the class in a conceptual manner.
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Chemistry lecturer lobbies for full-time position
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