Florida Gulf Coast University
Job Summary
As Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, you will teach at both
undergraduate and graduate levels, as applicable; be involved in
course and/or curriculum development; conduct research/scholarship;
participate in Department, Program, College and University
committees and/or initiatives; and perform other duties as
assigned.
This position requires a scholar practitioner with a strong
grounding in legal practice, legal reasoning, and applied legal
education. A history of publication or potential for publication in
a developing area of expertise is necessary. The successful
candidate will interface with Criminal Justice and Forensic
Studies, contribute to interdisciplinary programming, and
participate in mock trials, moot court, and courtroom based
simulations from a Legal Studies perspective. Teaching assignments
may be on the main campus or at off campus sites within the
region.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university
dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty
are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing
professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of
instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to
effective use of technology including distance learning; produce
peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College,
University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main
campus or at off-campus sites within our region.
FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and
collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others
and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive
action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation,
accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home
here.
Job Description
Typical duties include but are not limited to:
- Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including
developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned
with curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and
engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous
improvement.
Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and
individual support to students.
Utilizes the University's learning management system and other
instructional technologies effectively.
Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum
development and program advancement.
Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are
met.
Establishes and maintains an active research program, including
opportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and
grantsmanship.
Engages in continued professional development and maintains
professional skills appropriate to rank and field.
Actively participates in departmental, college, and university
committees and meetings.
Contributes to community, institutional, and professional
service in support of the University's mission.
Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning
assessment, and required training activities.
Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with
students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and
excellence in all professional activities.
Complies with University policies, procedures, and the
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Description
Required Qualifications:
- A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a regionally accredited
institution or equivalent accreditation.
- Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Florida
- Experience in the legal foundations governing forensic
evidence, including admissibility, authentication, chain of
custody, and expert testimony.
- Professional or practitioner experience integrating legal
practice with applied forensic analysis, courtroom advocacy, and
interdisciplinary collaboration with Criminal Justice and Forensic
Studies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Professional legal practice experience involving forensic
evidence, expert testimony, or litigation of forensic issues. A
solid record of legal research and writing skills as demonstrated
through work history, and/or a list of scholarly publications is
highly desirable.
- Experience collaborating with Criminal Justice and Forensic
Studies faculty and students on interdisciplinary programming.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of
inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to Legal Studies and
related disciplines.
- Knowledge of forensic law, evidence, criminal procedure, and
legal issues related to forensic investigation and evidence
interpretation, including Daubert/Frye analysis and evidentiary
objections.
- Knowledge of digital and interactive technologies and their
application to specific learning goals across face-to-face,
synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid teaching
modalities.
- Skill in integrating academic research with applied Legal
Studies practice and connecting research, theory, and practice
within the classroom.
- Skill in using inquiry-based instructional models and
strategies to support critical thinking and high-level questioning
skills.
- Ability to teach effectively across undergraduate and graduate
Legal Studies programs, including evidence, criminal procedure,
forensic law, and interdisciplinary forensic law electives such as
digital forensics and the law, forensic psychology and the law,
wrongful convictions, and forensic error analysis.
- Ability to integrate hands-on, engaged learning into in-person
classrooms and virtual learning environments, including
simulations, applied exercises, collaborative problem solving,
forensic casework, expert witness preparation, and courtroom
simulations.
- Ability to support experiential learning across BS and MS
programs, including applied research and community-engaged
initiatives.
- Ability to contribute to and support mock trials, moot court,
and forensic-focused courtroom simulations from a Legal Studies
perspective.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with Forensic Studies and
Criminal Justice faculty and students, integrating methodological
and analytical approaches relevant to forensic investigation and
evidence interpretation.
- Ability to interface with Criminal Justice, contributing Legal
Studies expertise to interdisciplinary programming.
- Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and
outside the University in the development and delivery of
instruction, resulting in improved student learning.
Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:
In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:
- Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open to
feedback and new ideas.
- Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work;
persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve
deliverables.
- Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships
across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to
achieve common goals.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with
an anticipated start date of August 2027.
Because applications and materials are subject to public review and
retention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DO NOT send
examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so.
Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks,
slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE
RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to
submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become
the property of FGCU. Under Florida's Public Records law,
applications will be available for public review upon
request.
Required Application Materials:
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Statement of Research
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Five (5) Professional References
The position is listed as "open until filled", however
applications received by November 30, 2026 will receive priority
consideration.
FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal
Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or
protected veteran status.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.fgcu.edu/jobs/assistant-professor-legal-studies-fort-myers-florida-united-states-4fc21f77-288e-4bce-8f46-7730af7f5446
je-f9cb1bc64be84e7b9a1eb1d91f31bd52
