"Assistant Professor, Biology"

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Type Detail

At Gonzaga we don’t just state our mission. We live it every day as a Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic University. It is the reason we exist and the foundation for our purpose: educating students for lives of leadership and service. From students to faculty and staff members, everyone here knows what we stand for – and they know how valuable our mission is to the success of our institution.

Our diverse selection of benefits is part of Gonzaga’s commitment to care for and meet the needs of our employees and their families. The University provides full-time faculty in their first year: a PPO Medical plan administered by Premera Blue Cross, employer-paid dental programs through Delta Dental, vision coverage through VSP, employer-paid Life Insurance, and optional employee-paid Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial, TIAA 403(b) Retirement plan including free onsite financial planning and advising, Employee Assistance Program through Supportlinc, ZagFit Wellness program with access to GU’s onsite fitness center, Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus passes and more. Additional benefits such as Long Term Disability and Tuition Waivers are available after the first year of employment.

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Proposed Rank/Hiring Title Assistant Professor, Biology

Department Biology

Proposed Hiring Contract Type Tenure Track

Non-Tenure Track End Date

Appointment Percent 100%

Months per Year 9 months

Job Summary

Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA is searching for a skilled teacher-scholar to join our teaching-centered and research-active Biology Department in a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning August 16, 2025. We are looking for a microbiologist or molecular biologist whose research includes a significant wet-lab component, but may also use computational, data science, or systems biology approaches. Area of specialization is open. Gonzaga’s science faculty are collaborative, and opportunities exist for interdisciplinary teaching and research projects with other departments, including Chemistry and Biochemistry, Math, Computer Science, and Gonzaga’s Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology. Faculty are expected to mentor undergraduate research students; ideal applicants will have experience mentoring undergraduates from a variety of backgrounds and identities, including those historically marginalized in the sciences (e.g., first-generation students, students from low-income families, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities).

We seek candidates with a demonstrated commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching that promotes inclusive and equity-minded learning environments. Teaching responsibilities will be in courses that are central to the MMCB Concentration (Microbiology, Molecular, and Cell Biology) in the Biology major. These include: at least one of the core upper-division courses with labs (Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Advanced Cell Biology), a 200-level Genetics course (with lab), and our two introductory courses (Information Flow in Biological Systems, Energy Flow in Biological Systems). There will also be opportunities to teach upper-division courses in the candidate’s area of interest, and in our introductory-level phage discovery lab course (associated with HHMI SEA-PHAGES). We are particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrated interest in inquiry-based teaching, such as course-based research experiences or other approaches. Total teaching load will be the equivalent of 18 credit hours per year, typically 2 lectures and 1-2 labs each semester. Some release time may be negotiated for other activities.

Essential Functions

Who we are:

The Biology Department and the College of Arts and Sciences are committed to inclusive excellence, and actively promote the success of a diverse population of undergraduate students, staff, and faculty. Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission of educating students “for lives of leadership and service for the common good.” The University is committed to fostering “a mature commitment to dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet.” Successful applicants will have read the mission statement and engaged with it throughout the application.

Gonzaga is a primarily undergraduate institution committed to teaching excellence. The Biology department will provide support to faculty for developing engaging, inclusive, interactive courses that meet our learning objectives. In addition, Gonzaga’s Center for Teaching and Advising provides regular faculty development and education opportunities, including an optional New Faculty Learning Community program to help welcome and support new faculty throughout their first year at Gonzaga. Faculty in our science departments mentor undergraduate students in research experiences during the school year. Funding opportunities are also available to support undergraduate student-faculty research during a 10-week summer session. The Biology department is housed in Hughes Hall and the Bollier Center for Integrated Science and Engineering, which contain teaching, research, and collaboration spaces for faculty from Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Math, Physics, Psychology, and Engineering.

Gonzaga’s campus sits adjacent to downtown Spokane, WA, along the Spokane River in the Inland Northwest’s most metropolitan region. We exist on the traditional and current homelands of the Spokane people, one of the Interior Salish speaking tribes of the region. Spokane is Washington’s second largest city and boasts a vibrant restaurant, entertainment, and arts community; it is also home to a diverse array of neighborhoods and popular outdoor recreational areas.

Job Duties:

Teach the equivalent of 18 credit hours per year, (typically 2 lectures and 1-2 labs each semester). Teaching responsibilities include an upper-division course (with lab) in either Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Advanced Cell Biology, our 200-level Genetics course (with lab), and introductory courses in our core sequence for majors (Information Flow in Biological Systems, Energy Flow in Biological Systems).

Establish a research program in microbiology or molecular biology that includes a significant wet-lab component and supports undergraduate student participation in the research. Mentor and oversee undergraduate research assistants. Communicate results through peer-reviewed papers, presentations, and other communications appropriate to the discipline.

After the first year, provide academic and career advising and mentoring to 15 – 25 undergraduate students per year.

Support the department, university, and discipline through service and other forms of academic citizenship.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Biology or a related discipline

Demonstrated ability to establish and run a research program, such as post-doctoral research experience in a related field.

A microbiology or molecular biology research program that includes a significant wet-lab component and that can support undergraduate research.

At least one year of experience teaching undergraduate students.

Desired Qualifications

Evidence of engaging, inclusive teaching practices at the undergraduate level that includes molecular, cellular, or microbiology, genetics, and introductory-level courses for biology majors.

Demonstrated skills and ability with computational, data science, or systems approaches in molecular biology or microbiology research.

Evidence of effectiveness in teaching and mentoring undergraduate students with a variety of backgrounds and identities, including those historically marginalized and underrepresented in the sciences.

Posting Detail Information

Open Date 07/26/2024

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Application Review Begins on 09/16/2024

Lower Reference

Midpoint

Upper Reference

EEO Statement

Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission. Gonzaga University is a committed EEO/AA employer and diversity candidates are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability status and/or protected veteran status. Applicants with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to complete the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources (509) 313-5996.

Hiring Salary $68,378 - $72,936; commensurate with education and experience

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please visit our website at: www.gonzaga.edu/jobs. Applicants must complete an online application and submit the following:

A statement of teaching philosophy that includes evidence of teaching effectiveness and describes how the candidate creates and maintains an inclusive environment that can support and promote learning for students with a variety of backgrounds and identities.

A statement that describes the candidate’s research program and explains how it can support undergraduate research experiences. The statement should also describe candidate’s experience mentoring undergraduates.

A statement describing the candidate’s demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skills to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts into their primary duties.

A cover letter that summarizes the areas above and describes the candidate’s understanding of and commitment to the university’s mission.

A curriculum vitae

Names and contact information of three professional references (letters will be requested when finalists are selected.)

The positions will remain open until filled. For best consideration, applications should be received by September 16, 2024, when review will begin. Questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Kirk Anders, Chair, Department of Biology, at anders@gonzaga.edu. For assistance with your online application, please contact Human Resources at (509) 313-5996.

For more information on our mission, please visit: : https://http://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission- jesuit-values/mission-statement

Clery Statement

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics

The safety of all members of the campus community is of vital concern to Gonzaga University. Information regarding crime prevention advice, the law enforcement authority of Campus Security, policies concerning the reporting of any crimes which occurred on the campus (and other specified locations), other security and safety-related policies, as well as the crime statistics for the most recent 3-year period may be found in the Campus Safety and Security Guide and Annual Fire Safety Report. The Gonzaga-In-Florence Safety & Security Guide is also available.

A copy of the report can be found online at www.Gonzaga.edu/Clery. A paper copy of the Campus Safety & Security Guide and Annual Fire Safety Report or the Gonzaga-In-Florence Safety & Security Guide may be obtained by contacting the Student Development Office on main campus, College Hall 120. The Florence Guide may also be obtained on the Florence campus in room 105.

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Statement of Teaching Philosophy (Please see "Special Instructions to Applicant" section for content)

Names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three (3) current professional references

A statement that describes the candidate's research program (Please see "Special Instructions to Applicant" section for content)

A statement of research objectives (Please see "special instructions to applicant" section).

Optional Documents