Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
About The Position
The Department of Biological Sciences at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, seeks a colleague specializing in population or community-level freshwater fish ecology to join the faculty in a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning September 16, 2026. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to engaged teaching, student-centered research, and inclusive mentoring of students at the undergraduate and Master's degree level. We particularly value potential to collaborate with tribal nations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations; address regional conservation issues; and provide students with experiential learning and professional development opportunities beyond the classroom. Teaching responsibilities will involve field and laboratory courses at introductory through advanced levels, including general biology, general ecology, and ichthyology, as well as other courses within the candidate's area of specialization. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse career paths, including those who have achieved excellence in non-academic or academic settings. At CWU, we pride ourselves in creating transformative educational environments that encourage personal growth and success, producing a model learning community of access and opportunity. To further this mission and vision, we nurture culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. We are committed to fostering high-impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships. For more information about the Department of Biological Sciences, see https://www.cwu.edu/biology/. This is an in-person position located at the Ellensburg campus.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in a biological discipline or closely related field awarded by the position start date;
- Research expertise in an area of freshwater fish ecology with a focus on populations or communities;
- Demonstrated commitment to the use of inclusive teaching methods that will engage, inspire, and foster the academic and professional success of all students;
- Capacity to engage and mentor undergraduate and Master's students in a research program.
Nice To Haves
- University-level teaching experience;
- Experience or training in developing student-centered curriculum, assessing learning outcomes, and/or engaging students in field or laboratory-based inquiry;
- Demonstrated commitment to working with tribal, government, and non-profit management groups;
- Demonstrated commitment to engaging and/or mentoring students from underserved backgrounds in research, academic, or professional opportunities, including participation in programs designed to broaden participation of students in STEM;
- Postdoctoral or other post-graduate research or professional experience;
- Potential to contribute to or develop additional courses related to fish ecology, such as limnology, wildlife and fisheries ecology, conservation biology, ecological connectivity, or response to environmental change;
- Potential to contribute to a strong program in field biology through teaching and/or research activities.
Responsibilities
- Teaching responsibilities will involve field and laboratory courses at introductory through advanced levels, including general biology, general ecology, and ichthyology, as well as other courses within the candidate's area of specialization.
- Engaged teaching
- Student-centered research
- Inclusive mentoring of students at the undergraduate and Master's degree level.
- Collaborate with tribal nations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations
- Address regional conservation issues
- Provide students with experiential learning and professional development opportunities beyond the classroom.
Benefits
- medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Industry
Educational Services
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
