Instructor I, Biology

Florida Gulf Coast University•Lexington, MA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Instructor of Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), your primary responsibility will be teaching lower-level undergraduate biology courses, potentially including those supporting the pre-nursing program. This role involves course and/or curriculum development, pursuing professional development relevant to undergraduate teaching, and participating in College and University committees and initiatives. FGCU is a comprehensive university focused on quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to excel in teaching, be responsive to professional needs, commit to innovative instruction for improved student learning, effectively use technology including distance learning, and provide service to the College, University, and Community. Teaching assignments may be at the main campus or off-campus sites within the region. The Department of Biological Sciences supports a significant number of undergraduate and Master’s students, with faculty interests spanning molecular, genetic, and organismal biology, as well as community-engaged research and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The department utilizes various teaching approaches, including integrated lab-lectures, active learning, and Course-embedded Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Faculty, staff, and students collaborate with the community, supporting university sustainability and service-learning goals. The campus's conservation areas provide a living laboratory for teaching and research. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in introductory biology instruction, employ diverse teaching approaches, demonstrate a commitment to student-centered education, foster collaboration, and possess innovative thinking to enhance student learning experiences. FGCU values curiosity, commitment, and collaboration, seeking employees who work well with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Biology, or a closely-related area from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation with a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline.
Demonstrated potential for, or a record of, achievement in teaching undergraduate courses.

Nice To Haves

PhD degree in biology or closely-related discipline from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
Experience with management of the lower division Biology curriculum, especially in connection with standards, scheduling, staffing, and policy implementation.
Demonstrated ability to teach first-year biology courses, such as BSC 1010C (General Biology 1 with Lab), BSC 1007C (Introduction to Biology, and/or MCB 2010C (Microbiology with Lab), effectively.
Demonstrated experience to implement impactful and successful active-learning experiences, such as Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) or Course-embedded Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs).
Demonstrated experience to work with student teaching assistants to improve student learning and success.

Responsibilities

Teaches 12 credit hours per semester of lower-level undergraduate courses in biology and related subjects, as assigned in the annual teaching assignment.
Participate in disciplinary research, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), and/or community-engaged service activities aligned with professional interests and institutional priorities.
Prepare and deliver course content, including syllabi, lectures, instructional materials, assessments, and timely evaluation of student performance.
Maintain scheduled office hours and ensure timely, professional communication with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
Participate in departmental, college, and university meetings, as well as faculty evaluations, assessments, and curriculum development/revision efforts.
Utilize the university’s learning management system and other required campus-wide technologies to support teaching and related responsibilities.
Complete all mandatory university trainings and comply with all institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
Engage in ongoing self-assessment and professional development to maintain effective instructional practices and remain current in the field.
Contribute to service at the departmental, institutional, community, and professional levels in alignment with the University’s mission.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.