Inst/Ast Prof/Asc Professor - Fixed Term

The Biological Sciences (BioSci) Program is seeking 1-2 fixed term faculty members to join the BioSci Program teaching team. The successful candidate will join a diverse group of educators and discipline-based education researchers dedicated to providing high-quality undergraduate biology education. The initial appointment will be for one academic year (9 months) with the expectation of continuing renewal based on satisfactory performance.  Typical salaries in BioSci range from $61,000 to $75,000 based on rank and experience.

The successful candidate will serve as an instructor for introductory biology lecture and lab courses designed to actively engage life-science majors in three-dimensional learning. Depending on the needs of the program and the expertise of the candidate, they may teach in cellular and molecular or organismal biology courses. A typical teaching load includes teaching four lab sections or one lecture and two lab sections per semester. BioSci is committed to providing a connected and supportive curriculum for students and faculty alike and promotes teamwork in curriculum development and teaching. Opportunities for advancement in rank and five-year rolling contracts are possible after 4 years of exemplary teaching. 

An advanced degree in the biological sciences or related fields with college teaching experience (as a teaching assistant or instructor of record) or experience mentoring students through research projects is required.

• A PhD is required for the rank of Assistant Professor or higher;
• a master’s degree is required for the rank of Instructor.

Candidates must also demonstrate commitment to fostering welcoming learning environments and professional development.  

Applicants should submit

• a CV,
• a letter of application (described below),
• an example of a teaching activity and/or assessment to illustrate your teaching philosophy (up to 2 pages, separate from the letter of application), and 
• contact information for three professional references (references will be contacted during the screening process).

In the letter of application, please address the following in no more than 5 pages total: 

1. How has your education and experience prepared you to contribute to teaching introductory biology? If applicable, please highlight specific experiences teaching in and developing assessments for inquiry-based cell and molecular biology lab courses and/or mentoring students through research projects. 

1. How have your experiences working in collaborative groups prepared you for working with the BioSci team? 

1. How will you approach creating an environment where all feel welcomed, supported, and valued? If applicable, please highlight specific examples of actions taken towards these aims. 

1. If you have participated in or led the development of new curricula and/or programmatic assessment efforts, explain how those experiences have prepared you to contribute to these efforts in the BioSci program. 

1. How have you approached your professional development, and how do you see yourself continuing to do so in BioSci and at Michigan State University?