"Biotechnology Instructor (FT)"

Description

Solano College is hiring a faculty position to fulfill multiple roles within our biotechnology department. For 28 years the Solano College biotechnology program has taught students the skills and knowledge required to enter a career in the biotechnology profession. The new faculty will join a department that has served as a model for programs at other colleges across the United States and is known for a number of firsts. Solano College was the first college, two year or four year, to develop a biotechnology program that emphasized the skills and knowledge required for graduates to enter the manufacturing sector of the biotechnology industry; this field is now referred to as biomanufacturing. Solano College was the first college to offer a Certificate in Cell and Gene Therapy. And when California authorized community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees, Solano College's Bachelors of Science in Biomanufacturing became one of the first fifteen programs to pioneer this new mission of the community colleges. Together with other partnerships, Solano College has built a complete educational pathway with multiple entry and exit points and with successful placement rates into a profession that pays a livable wage and provides opportunities for upward mobility.

The duties of the new faculty member will include teaching biotechnology lower division and/or upper division lecture and laboratory classes, participating in curriculum development (developing new courses and certificates), interacting with other partners, and planning for the future of the biotechnology program at Solano College. The faculty member will also assist the College in developing and expanding course and degree offerings at the Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo campuses, as well as potentially developing online offerings. The ability to use and expand the use of technology and active learning strategies in the classroom and laboratory will be expected. Teaching may occur on campus and/or synchronously and asynchronously online. Skilled candidates who have strong academic backgrounds, industry experience, and can demonstrate a variety of teaching strategies, are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are looking to welcome a future colleague who shares our commitment to students to prepare them to enter academia and industry by advancing their understanding of theory and their development of biotechnology skills (especially the use of equipment and instrumentation used in the biotech industry). A faculty member with expertise in the areas of biotechnology, research & development, grant writing and management, and/or industrial business support systems is desirable. In addition, the successful candidate will be able teach a variety of biotechnology courses, including instruction in labs using a variety of instruments, equipment, and data analysis. Safety is a priority at Solano Community College, and the successful candidate will be expected to know, follow, implement and enforce all safety rules and standards of the department.

The position will also require providing instruction in accordance with established course outlines and expectations, preparing and grading assignments and examinations, meeting administrative timelines and submitting required documents and reports, participating in division meetings, coordinating course-level and program-level assessment and planning, and maintaining regular office hours in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Teaching assignments may include evening hours and off-campus instruction in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, and participation in student outreach and recruiting as part of the Division and College-wide services.

We anticipate the first round of interviews to be conducted in-person the week of March 23, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively set for early April. All dates are subject to change.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Biotechnology Department is part of the Mathematics and Science Division of Solano Community College (SCC). The Department partners with multiple colleges, local governments, local economic development agencies, local and national workforce organizations, statewide and national consortia of biotechnology faculty, biotechnology industry organizations, and Manufacturing USA institutes. The Department has obtained multiple grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Innovation in the Manufacture of Biopharmaceuticals, the Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Members of the department serve on advisory committees for other biotechnology programs in multiple states.

We want instructors who care about students, about pedagogy, and care about the future of our community. We are looking for an individual willing to take risks to achieve those goals.

ABOUT SOLANO COLLEGE:

Solano Community College values the diversity of our community and is committed to honoring and empowering all of our students. We are seeking highly motivated applicants who excel in their chosen fields and are committed to working with the students from our communities. We invite student-oriented applicants who provide culturally responsive teaching, use a strength-based approach centered on students and are committed to continuous improvement of instructional effectiveness.

Solano Community College District is a single college district that serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in California. Located on the ancestral lands of the Patwin people, Solano Community College's Fairfield campus is in the heart of Suisun Valley midway between San Francisco and Sacramento. We also serve students at centers in Vallejo and Vacaville, at Travis Air Force Base, and at three correctional facilities. Our many innovative programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including a new library and learning center, science labs, and lecture rooms.

Students who attend Solano Community College are dedicated, persistent, and remarkable individuals who deserve the best opportunities a community college can provide. Our students come from both urban and rural communities, the military, and other diverse economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We serve students who represent the following cultures: Asian American (6%), Black/African American (15%), Filipino/a/x (9%), Hispanic/Latino/a/x (36%), Pacific Islanders (1%), Multi-Ethnic (9%), and White Non-Hispanic (22%). We seek candidates who embrace our community and our student population, and who have an unwavering commitment to equity, especially the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion.

Solano Community College is committed to applying promising practices in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We are cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

We invite you to join us on our journey to provide equitable and anti-racist education honoring and empowering the students of Solano Community College.

APPLICATION PROCESS DETAILS:

• To be considered for this position, all complete applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.
• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview. It is, therefore, important that the application be thorough and detailed.
• Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
• The College may re-advertise or delay filling a position.
• Candidates should not expect official notification until the selection of the final candidate has been completed.
• Reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.
• Finalists will be invited to a second interview with the Superintendent/President.

Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop, review, and maintain currency of curriculum for courses in collaboration with other instructors as well as the articulation officer.
• Provide instruction in accordance with established program course outlines of record; inform/advise students about program requirements; evaluate and provide timely verbal and written assessments of student performance; prepare and grade assignments and examinations; meet administrative timelines and submit completed reports and required documents; and maintain required student attendance, scholastic records, and other related materials.
• Work in collaboration with other full-time instructors in coordinating curriculum and mentoring adjunct faculty in these courses.
• Participate in the development, assessment, and evaluation of student learning outcomes (SLO) and Program Level Outcomes (PLO).
• Actively participate in department/school meetings and maintain regular office hours in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and College and School policies; participate in college governance and decision-making.
• Participate in college-wide committee work and collegial governance.
• Maintain current knowledge and skills in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
• Maintain effective communication with peers, staff, students, and administrators.
• Teaching assignments may include evening and weekend hours, either in-person or online, as well as off-campus instruction in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and College and School policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Math & Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess: a commitment to encouragement of learning and an enthusiastic attitude toward student learning; sensitivity to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds who may have wide ranges of abilities.

AND

Bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry or engineering, and two years of full-time related professional experience.

OR the equivalent

If you do not meet the minimum qualifications exactly as stated above, you must request an equivalency review and submit conclusive supporting documents at the time of application. Equivalency is defined as possessing the general education for the degree and the major coursework for the degree. The equivalency request form can be downloaded here [(Download PDF reader)](https://get.adobe.com/reader/). All degrees must be from accredited institutions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong academic preparation as demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written discourse. Preference will be given to candidates with graduate degree in addition to the minimum qualifications.
• Knowledge and/or experience with one or more of the following: cell culture, basic biotechnology lab techniques, upstream and downstream bioprocesses, biomanufacturing science and engineering principles, quality assurance and regulatory, supply chain, six sigma lean manufacturing, statistical design of experiments, project management, or related experience is desired.
• Experience with one or more of the following: cell culture, basic biotechnology lab techniques, upstream and downstream processes, quality assurance, supply chain, six sigma, design of experiments, project management, or related experience is desired.
• Understand and practice of addressing student equity through best-practice teaching methodologies.
• Use computers, multimedia, course-management software, and other interactive technologies as teaching and learning tools.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize multiple teaching methods/strategies needed to address the diverse learning styles/need of students including integration of interactive technologies to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
• Possess a commitment to teaching and learning and provide a supportive learning environment to enhance student success and completion.
• Possess a willingness to take initiative in co-curricular activities, outreach and recruitment efforts, special events, and school projects.
• Possess a willingness to participate in shared/participatory governance of the Division and the College.
• Demonstrate an ability to self-evaluate and effect change for personal growth and improvement, as well as an ability to accept constructive feedback and effect change appropriately and participate in professional growth and development activities and lifelong learning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The recommended candidate(s) will work in a small office or larger room with multiple people, in a primarily sedentary nature, either sitting or standing. This role will require significant technology use, including long periods of looking at technology screens and entering information using a keyboard and/or mouse. Interruptions are likely in large room settings and in small office settings. Frequent use of online meetings using Zoom or Microsoft Teams with webcam on. Phone and email will be required to communicate with all campus communities.