Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology (Exempt)

Hardin-Simmons University • Abilene, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Biology at Hardin-Simmons University invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate biology courses and laboratories, including introductory biology with an emphasis in cell and molecular biology, research methods, and other courses related to biomedical sciences. Life science courses for non-majors and other departmental courses may also be assigned. The teaching load is at least 12 hours per semester; additional summer teaching may be available for extra compensation. This is a nine-month appointment, with in-person teaching on the HSU campus in Abilene, Texas.

The department seeks a creative, flexible faculty member committed to excellent, student-centered, innovative undergraduate teaching. Candidates should have documented teaching experience or familiarity with curriculum design, active-learning strategies, and assessment of student learning. The successful candidate is expected to be dedicated to scholarship and to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to mentoring student research in their area of expertise.

The position reports to the Head of the Biology Department. It has no supervisory responsibilities other than supervision of student workers. Candidates must profess the Christian faith, maintain membership in a local congregation, and respect the values and distinctives of HSU’s historically Baptist tradition as reflected in the University’s Statement of Faith. The employee must be willing to relocate to Abilene or the surrounding area, maintain a valid Class C driver’s license and an insurable driving record, and drive for work assignments as needed. Occasional travel may be required for student evaluation or sponsorship, training workshops, and professional conferences.

The position is sedentary in nature and involves extended sitting while performing office and computer work. It may occasionally require standing, walking, stooping or kneeling, and trips between campus buildings. The employee regularly lifts or moves up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 20–25 pounds, and must be able to operate standard biological laboratory equipment. The work environment is usually quiet, with occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and explosives. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. HSU conducts background checks; depending on the position, applicants may also be required to consent to a credit check. The job posting directs candidates to the HSU Benefits Summary for information about employee benefits but does not specify individual benefits.

Requirements

• Master’s or doctorate in science, with an emphasis in a biomedical field such as anatomy, physiology, or cell biology.
• Excellent teaching and communication skills.
• Documented teaching experience or familiarity with curriculum design, active-learning strategies, and assessment of student learning.
• Commitment to scholarship and ongoing student research in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, write routine reports and correspondence, and speak effectively before groups.
• Ability to work with probability, statistical inference, geometry, trigonometry, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking to intellectual and practical problems and work with scientific symbols, equations, graphs, and abstract and concrete variables.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and Internet software.
• Ability to operate standard biological laboratory equipment.
• Must profess the Christian faith, maintain membership in a local congregation, and respect HSU’s historically Baptist values and Statement of Faith.
• Must be willing to relocate to Abilene, Texas, or the surrounding area to teach in-person classes on campus.
• Must have and maintain a valid Class C driver’s license and a clear driving record sufficient to be insurable under the university liability policy, and be able to drive for work assignments as needed.
• Must meet the position’s physical demands, including extended sitting, occasional standing, walking, stooping or kneeling, and lifting or moving up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 20–25 pounds occasionally; reasonable accommodations may be made.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. preferred.
• ABD candidates will be considered. If hired without having completed the degree by the start of employment, the initial appointment will be at Instructor rank and converted upon documented degree completion.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses and laboratories in Biology, including introductory biology, research methods, and biomedical-sciences-related courses.
• Prepare and deliver lectures, stimulate class discussions, and compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
• Plan and implement varied student-centered teaching and assessment methods, and maintain accurate teaching and administrative records, including syllabi, grades, office hours, and timely reports.
• Conduct research in the relevant field and mentor students conducting research in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Advise students in the biological sciences and provide strategies for academic success during office hours or ad hoc appointments.
• Support the lab coordinator in maintaining laboratory equipment and monitoring student workers.
• Engage in service to the university, department, and community; may advise student organizations.
• Follow the current faculty handbook and perform other duties assigned by the department or the dean of the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level