Faculty, Biotechnology

Austin Community College • Austin, TX

2d • $71,270 - $96,596

About The Position

This faculty position also serves as the Department Chair of Austin Community College’s Biotechnology Department. The role provides academic leadership, management, and coordination for the department; serves as its budget authority; represents the department in college councils, committees, and processes; facilitates departmental decisions through collegial processes; and fosters an instructional leadership environment that supports student success. The position starts May 24, 2027.

The Biotechnology Program offers certificates and associate degrees for students preparing to enter the bioscience and biotechnology workforce. Its hands-on training covers basic laboratory skills and advanced techniques, and also prepares students for work in bioinformatics, regulatory affairs, and biomanufacturing. The department serves high school and community college students through in-person and online instruction.

The faculty member provides leadership in curriculum, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and departmental planning, while also preparing and teaching Biotechnology courses, evaluating student progress, and mentoring students. The role includes supporting grants, professional development, and research activities; participating in college and department committees and functions; and traveling to ACC campuses and school districts served by the college. Work is routinely performed in a classroom or laboratory setting and involves standing, walking, sitting, and reaching for extended periods. The position is based on a 10.5-month contract starting Summer 2027, with additional allowance for the Department Chair role.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Biochemistry; or a master’s degree in Chemistry with a Biochemistry thesis topic; or a master’s degree plus 18 graduate hours in Biotechnology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or Biochemistry.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer applications, online resources, and classroom technologies.
• Demonstrated proficiency with an online learning management system such as Blackboard, including building course content and performing administrative tasks.
• Proficiency in modern Biotechnology technology applications.
• Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff from multicultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to use dynamic, non-traditional instructional methods for students with varying levels of proficiency, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Current knowledge of the discipline and subject matter.
• Documented experience with active and applied teaching and learning methodologies.
• Commitment to teaching in a community college setting and to culturally aware and sensitive teaching practices.
• Commitment to a culture of care, the comprehensive mission of Austin Community College, and servant-leadership principles and practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students with a wide range of skills and backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, listening, and organizational skills; attention to detail; and ability to maintain an established schedule, including evenings and weekends and potentially varying campus locations.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of student information.
• Understanding of teaching in a community college serving often underprepared and underserved students.
• Ability to perform work involving standing, walking, sitting, and reaching for extended periods, and to work safely in a classroom or laboratory setting.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of non-teaching, industry-related work experience within biotechnology.
• Experience using technology as an instructional aid to enhance learning where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, evaluation, and maintenance of curriculum responsive to community and industry needs and compliant with applicable educational and accreditation requirements.
• Develop and maintain the departmental budget and instructional supplies.
• Supervise, hire, coach, and evaluate faculty in accordance with College policies and employment laws.
• Ensure departmental decisions are data-informed and collaborative with relevant department and college stakeholders.
• Develop and approve course schedules, make faculty assignments, and maintain faculty eligibility.
• Support division and department goals through collegial engagement in decision-making and unit-level planning.
• Support department-level grants, professional development, and research activities to remain current in the field and in education.
• Prepare and teach Biotechnology courses using appropriate instructional strategies and approved learning outcomes.
• Evaluate student progress and provide clear, timely feedback aligned with program learning outcomes and departmental expectations.
• Mentor students in the Biotechnology program.
• Provide teaching and mentoring without discrimination based on protected characteristics.
• Serve on collegewide and departmental committees, councils, work groups, and task forces.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned by leadership.
• Travel to various ACC campuses and school districts served by the college.
• Use the college learning management system appropriately; meet attendance certification and final-grade deadlines; participate in official college functions and meetings; maintain regular office hours; and comply with college policies and professional teaching standards.
• Follow safety rules, report unsafe conditions and behavior, and take reasonable steps to prevent unsafe practices.

Benefits

• Additional allowance for the Department Chair role: prorated FY27 allowance of $3,300 for Summer 1 and 2, paid in equal monthly installments; FY28 full annual allowance of $10,050, paid in equal monthly installments.

What This Job Offers

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