Job Description

Description

The Department of Biology at West Virginia University invites applications for a Teaching Instructor position starting January 2025. This is a 9-month, full-time, position with full benefits. Summer work may be expected with additional compensation. Teaching Instructor appointments have renewable terms of up to three years, with no limit on the number of terms. Teaching Instructors are eligible for promotion, e.g., to Teaching Assistant Professor and Teaching Associate Professor; however, promotion to senior ranks is not a requirement for institutional commitment and career stability.

We seek an outstanding and dedicated educator who will be responsible for teaching general education foundations (GEF) courses for non-majors including Introduction to General Biology. Teaching faculty are expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching, ongoing engagement in assessment-based advancement of curriculum and instruction, and curriculum development that complements the Department’s current areas of emphasis. The teaching load is 4 courses or course equivalents per semester.

The Department of Biology offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Biology Pre-medical and maintains approximately 600 majors annually. We also serve over 1000 students through non-majors coursework. We offer students areas of emphasis in Human Health, Global Health, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Ecology/Ecosystems & Global Change, and Integrative Biology. The Department of Biology has over 40 graduate students in M.S. and Ph.D. programs with a strong track record of students receiving prestigious Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation fellowships. In addition to our research and teaching greenhouse and herbarium, the department is home to the WVU Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility and the Earl L. Core Arboretum which includes an old growth forest preserve that supports research, teaching, and service.

WVU is a R1 research land grant university located within 90 minutes of Pittsburgh and 3.5 hours from the Washington/Baltimore area. Morgantown has been recognized as one of the most livable small cities in the U.S. There are extensive recreational opportunities, excellent public schools, and a supportive University environment in which to develop a visible and productive career. The WVU Dual Career Program is available to assist candidates with suitable employment opportunities for spouses or partners.

Qualifications

The successful applicant must have 1) a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field at the time of employment; 2) demonstrated excellence in or potential for teaching both in-person and online non-majors biology courses using learning-centered teaching strategies; 3) the ability to develop new General Education Foundational courses for non-majors; 4) excellent written and oral communication skills; and 5) excellent interpersonal skills.

To apply, please visit WVU Careers, and upload 1) a CV, 2) an application cover letter, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy, and 4) a list of references with complete contact information. Finalists may be required to submit additional materials.

The screening process will begin September 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. For more information, please visit our website https://biology.wvu.edu/ or contact the chair of the search committee, Amaris Guardiola, Ph.D. ([email protected]).

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.