Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology

Classification: Academic Year Faculty
Priority Screening Date: January 13, 2026
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
Appointment Date: Fall 2026

The Department of Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry at California State University, Monterey Bay invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level to begin in Fall 2026. We seek applicants with a demonstrated commitment to teaching and research.

ABOUT CSUMB

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California's Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation's largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students' lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB's sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university's Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching expectations will span the lower division molecular biology course with associated labs and electives in the upper division in the applicant's area of expertise. The candidate must employ innovative teaching and learning techniques that engage diverse students through active learning, course-based research, and the appropriate use of technology.

The candidate will need to develop and maintain a research program that provides opportunities for undergraduates. To do so, the candidate must have plans to pursue and obtain extramural funding to support an active research program. The candidate must sustain scholarly research in biology leading to peer-reviewed publications and professional visibility. The successful candidate will collaborate with other faculty and members of professional outreach programs in the region.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Biology or related field by the time of appointment
• Commitment to and experience in teaching undergraduates
• Expertise in molecular biology
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in one of the following areas such as cell biology, development, physiology, or immunology
• Research and teaching interests and expertise that complement and strengthen those of existing faculty in the department
• Strong interest in teaching an introductory course in cellular and molecular biology, as well as upper division courses in area of expertise
• Interest in mentoring undergraduate students in research and/or internships using classic model systems
• Demonstrated experience with course and curriculum development
• Proven ability and desire to mentor and teach students from diverse cultural, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds
• Record of external funding and writing grant proposals
• Demonstrated leadership skills

COMPENSATION:

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,500 to $7,917 mo ($90,000 to $95,000 annual)

CSU Salary Schedule

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application and submit required documents by the priority screening date found at csumb.edu/jobs. Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

Cal State Monterey Bay is currently not sponsoring H-1B employment visas which are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or humanresources@csumb.edu.