Assistant Professor Bird or Mammal Biologist - Department of Biology #27-22

California State University, Northridge • Los Angeles, CA

22d • $83,349 - $92,610

About The Position

The Department of Biology at California State University, Northridge is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor whose teaching and research focus on extant birds or mammals. The successful candidate will serve as curator of the bird or mammal collections and develop a teaching and research program that uses and helps grow the department’s vertebrate collections. The candidate will be familiar with the natural history and biology of extant birds or mammals in Southern California and will develop an independent, externally funded research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students in authentic research experiences.

Teaching may include introductory biology for majors (BIOL 106), courses in the candidate’s specialty such as Avian Ecology (BIOL 414) or Mammalogy (BIOL 415), including laboratory and field components, and other senior- or graduate-level courses. The teaching portfolio should complement the department’s existing offerings in organismal and field biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular ecology, conservation biology, biometry, and computational modeling. The position also includes weekly office hours, faculty meetings, assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate will contribute to equitable academic outcomes through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service. Teaching may take place on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online.

The appointment is effective August 19, 2027, subject to budgetary approval. The preferred application deadline is November 16, 2026; the position remains open until filled.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• By the time of hire, at least one year of postdoctoral research experience or one year as an assistant professor or museum curator at an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching in person at the college or university level.
• Ability to teach upper-division avian ecology or mammalogy focused on extant taxa and including laboratory and field components.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.
• Strong peer-reviewed publication record, including first-authored papers.
• Record of obtaining extramural research funding to support research.
• Research experience focused on extant birds or mammals, excluding humans and traditional model organisms such as domestic poultry or laboratory rodents.
• At least partly collections-based research experience.
• Museum collections experience with bird or mammal specimens, such as as a curator, collections manager, curatorial assistant, or preparator.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of effective engagement, or potential to engage, with a diverse student body.
• Experience using culturally responsive pedagogy to support equitable outcomes.
• Experience creating a student-centered learning environment, with evidence of teaching effectiveness and/or training in pedagogical strategies.
• Research experience that includes working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience using inclusive approaches to student mentoring.
• Ability to teach an introductory biology-majors course focused on core principles in ecology and evolutionary biology.
• Research and complementary teaching interests at the whole-organism, population, or taxon level, such as systematics, biogeography, evolution, ecology, morphology, biomechanics, physiology, or behavior.
• Ability and commitment to serve as curator and contribute to maintenance and growth of the bird or mammal collections.
• Ability to establish collaborations with departmental or institutional colleagues, or evidence of prior collaborations with peers at other institutions or state or federal management agencies.

Responsibilities

• Teach introductory biology for majors and upper-division or graduate courses in the candidate’s specialty, potentially including Avian Ecology or Mammalogy with laboratory and field components.
• Develop an independent, externally funded research program engaging undergraduate and graduate students in authentic research experiences.
• Serve as curator of the bird or mammal collections and contribute to their maintenance and growth.
• Develop teaching and research that leverage the department’s vertebrate collections and complement existing courses.
• Hold weekly office hours, attend faculty meetings, participate in assessment of student learning, and serve the department, college, and university.
• Support equitable academic outcomes through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.
• Seek collaborations with Biology faculty, colleagues at other institutions, and regional, state, and federal agencies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree