Instructional Faculty FT - Biotechnology

Montgomery College•GT - High Technology and Science Center, MD

6h•$64,510 - $98,220•Hybrid

About The Position

Montgomery College invites applications for one full-time faculty position based at the Biotechnology Department at their Germantown Campus. We seek an enthusiastic and dedicated educator who exhibits a strong commitment to our students, a high degree of professionalism, and the ability to create a positive and an engaging learning space. The ideal candidate should have experience working in biotechnology or biopharmaceutical industry with current technical knowledge, regulated-workplace experience, and real-world perspective, and/or experience teaching those skills at a post-secondary level (two-year or four-year institutions). We are looking for a candidate with strong commitment to student success, the community college mission, and preparing a diverse student population for biotechnology careers. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. The successful candidate will appreciate teaching in a multi-cultural environment and will welcome the opportunity to work with students with diverse learning abilities. Montgomery College is strategically located in the BioHealth Capital Region near federal agencies, biotechnology companies, research institutions and healthcare organizations. Montgomery College has state-of-the art science facilities and equipment with all of our science buildings being less than 15 years old. Biotechnology instruction is supported by specialized teaching laboratories and a simulated cGMP training facility at the Bioscience Education Center. Teaching assignments may include various delivery modes, such as face-to-face, on-line, hybrid and/or blended formats during days, evenings, and weekends. Montgomery College has multiple campuses, and faculty may be assigned to teach in-person at any of these campuses and teach online. The successful candidate will teach lecture and laboratory courses across the biotechnology curriculum, with particular emphasis on cell culture and aseptic technique, biomanufacturing and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), and cell and gene therapy techniques. The faculty member will translate industry practices into accessible, hands-on learning and help students understand the expectations, workflows, documentation, quality systems, and problem-solving approaches used in biotechnology workplaces. Candidates must have a demonstrated history of teaching scientific content and training others in scientific techniques, methods, equipment, or procedures. This experience may have been gained in industry, academic, or other professional settings. About the Biotechnology Program The Biotechnology Department offers an Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology and certificates in Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing, and Cell and Gene Therapy. The program emphasizes applied laboratory skills, scientific problem-solving, documentation, and workforce preparation while also supporting transfer to four-year institutions. Courses include Introduction to Biotechnology, Cell Culture, Aseptic Technique, Protein Biotechnology, Applied Immunology, Nucleic Acid Methods, Biomanufacturing, and Cell and Gene Therapy. Students may also participate in internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in biotechnology, biological sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
At least three years of full-time professional experience in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, cell and gene therapy, or closely related industry. A combination of industry experience and teaching experience in Biotechnology or a closely related field will be considered.
Hands-on industry experience in cell culture and aseptic technique and in at least one of the following areas: biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, cell and gene therapy, process development, quality control, quality assurance, manufacturing sciences and technology, or technical operations.
Demonstrated history of teaching scientific content and training others in laboratory techniques, technical methods, equipment, or procedures in an industry, academic, workforce-training, or other professional setting.
Current knowledge of biotechnology laboratory and manufacturing practices, instrumentation, documentation, and workplace expectations.
Experience writing, interpreting, and following standard operating procedures and working within a regulated or quality-focused environment such as cGMP, GLP, or an equivalent quality system.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to engage and facilitate learning for students with varied academic preparation, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
Experience using instructional technology and a learning management system, or the ability to develop these skills promptly.
Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in biotechnology, a life-science discipline, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a closely related field.
Five or more years of biotechnology or biopharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in manufacturing, process development, quality control, quality assurance, manufacturing sciences and technology, or technical operations.
Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, aseptic processing, contamination control, cell banking, and upstream bioprocessing.
Experience teaching or working in biomanufacturing environments involving cGMP, good documentation practices, deviations, change control, CAPA, data integrity, or other elements of a pharmaceutical quality system.
Knowledge of cell and gene therapy platforms and manufacturing workflows, such as viral or nonviral gene delivery, transfection or transduction, cell expansion, harvest, purification, or relevant analytical and release testing.
Experience with bioprocessing and analytical equipment such as benchtop bioreactors, single-use systems, AKTA/FPLC systems, chromatography, plate readers, flow cytometers, PCR/qPCR instruments, or related platforms.
Experience with protein, immunological, nucleic-acid, or cell-based assays relevant to biotechnology research, manufacturing, or clinical and quality laboratories.
Experience developing technical training, competency assessments, standard work, or job aids; coaching individuals with varied levels of technical preparation; and explaining complex concepts clearly to nonexpert audiences.
Experience collaborating with employers, advisory boards, educational partners, workforce organizations, or grant-funded initiatives.
Experience using electronic laboratory notebooks, manufacturing execution systems, laboratory information systems, or related digital documentation tools.

Responsibilities

Teach lecture and laboratory sections of biotechnology courses using student-centered and evidence-based instructional practices.
Teach across the biotechnology curriculum, with primary emphasis on mammalian cell culture and aseptic processing, biomanufacturing and cGMP, and cell and gene therapy concepts and laboratory methods.
Teaches 30 semester hours per academic year. Prepares course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments and handouts; evaluates and grades students' exams, assignments, and papers. Holds office hours for student help.
Teaches a varied schedule of courses that may include day, night, early morning, weekend and/or accelerated sections, compressed and online. Opportunities may exist for teaching summer classes.
Translate current industry workflows, standards, case examples, and workplace expectations into practical learning experiences appropriate for community college students.
Develop students' ability to follow standard operating procedures, apply good documentation practices, work safely and aseptically, analyze data, troubleshoot technical problems, and communicate scientific information.
Design, assess, and continuously improve curricula to reflect current biotechnology practices, workforce needs, transfer expectations, and emerging technologies.
Use current laboratory instrumentation, digital tools, instructional technology, and the College learning management system to support student learning.
Advise and mentor students regarding academic planning, transfer, internships, and biotechnology career pathways.
Participate in student recruitment, retention, outreach, and experiential-learning initiatives, including partnerships with employers, schools, government agencies, and four-year institutions.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, advisory committees, and external partners; participate in departmental, campus, College, and participatory-governance activities.
Maintain professional currency through continuing education, industry engagement, scholarship, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
Contribute to grant-funded projects and, as opportunities arise, supervise undergraduate research, honors projects, internships, or other applied learning experiences.