"Brown Center Visiting Teacher-Scholar in Biology"

POSITION

The Brown Center for Faculty Innovation and Excellence invite applications for a Brown Visiting Teacher-Scholar Fellow to join the Biology Department for the 2026-27 academic year, with the possibility of renewal for 2027-28. The Fellow will play a pivotal role in strengthening teaching and learning within the two-semester Introductory General Biology sequence (lecture and lab). This position integrates teaching, curriculum innovation, and pedagogical research to advance student success in foundational biology courses specifically and contributes to institutional and national efforts to broaden participation in STEM education more broadly.

The Fellow will advance STEM education by improving student learning and retention in these critical gateway courses for STEM majors and pre-health pathways. The fellow will lead the adoption of innovative, evidence-based instructional practices such as problem-based learning, high-impact laboratory experiences, and standards-based grading, while fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments. In collaboration with faculty in Biology and related STEM disciplines (e.g., Biochemistry, Chemistry, Health Sciences, and Public Health), the Fellow will assess current teaching approaches, design and implement new strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

This role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and active engagement in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The Fellow will also partner with the Natural Science Division's NSF-S-STEM team to align course improvements with grant objectives, including enhancing retention and success of S-STEM scholars. Opportunities include contributing assessment data, supporting mentoring initiatives, and collaborating on research and dissemination efforts related to STEM education and equity. The fellow will share insights and outcomes through faculty workshops, professional conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a biological field or a closely related discipline, including biology-focused STEM Education or Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) programs (e.g., Biology Education Research, Biological Education), awarded before August 2026.
• Demonstrated experience with evidence-based teaching practices (e.g., active learning, problem-based learning, inclusive pedagogy, standards-based grading).
• Track record of integrating emerging technologies, including generative AI tools, into teaching and learning.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work with faculty across STEM disciplines and student populations.
• Scholarly record in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
• Experience with both disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration in STEM education research (e.g., participating in course redesign or assessment projects within a STEM department; collaborating with faculty from related disciplines on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning or discipline-based education research studies; contributing to 2 interdisciplinary teaching or mentoring initiatives; presenting early research findings at STEM education or disciplinary conferences).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to manage projects, meet deadlines, and coordinate multi-step initiatives.
• Leadership and facilitation skills for workshops and faculty development activities.
• Adaptability and innovation in adopting technology and pedagogical approaches.
• Cultural competence and commitment to inclusive excellence.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills for interpreting assessment data and improving practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach a lecture and lab section of Introductory Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics or Introductory Biology: Animal and Plant Physiology per semester, based on expertise and experience.
• Collaborate with Biology faculty and the introductory lab coordinator to review current pedagogical practices and gather feedback from related departments in the natural sciences.
• Develop and implement innovative teaching strategies and assessment methods (e.g., problem-based learning, high-impact lab exercises, standards-based grading).
• Design and deploy assessment tools to evaluate instructional effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
• Implement new pedagogical approaches in Spring 2027 and assess their impact on student engagement and achievement.
• Partner with the NSF S-STEM team to align course improvements with grant objectives, including enhancing retention and success of S-STEM scholars.
• Contribute data and insights on student performance introductory biology courses.
• Support mentoring and community-building initiatives for S-STEM participants.
• Collaborate on research and dissemination efforts related to STEM education and equity.
• Share findings and teaching materials through a faculty workshop and prepare results for potential publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS

The Brown Teacher-Scholar Fellow will receive comprehensive professional development in teaching, assessment, and educational research through the Teacher-Scholar Model, structured mentoring from faculty in Biology and related disciplines, and guidance from the Brown Center for Faculty Innovation. Professional development opportunities will include:

• Regular meetings with a mentoring team to support teaching, research, and career development.
• Participation in workshops on evidence-based pedagogy, inclusive teaching, and assessment design.
• Engagement in interdisciplinary learning communities focused on STEM education and student success.
• Support for presenting at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
• Opportunities to collaborate on institutional initiatives, including the NSF S-STEM program, to gain experience in grant-related activities and program evaluation.
• Funding to support conference attendance.
• Cross-disciplinary mentorship from STEM and non-STEM faculty.
• Preparation for teaching and research careers at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs).
• Guidance and resources for developing research projects.

SALARY

Salary is competitive.

STARTING DATE

August 10, 2026

APPLICATION

Applicants should supply the following materials for initial consideration as a single PDF file:
1) cover letter detailing how the applicant's professional accomplishments and experiences meet the requirements of the position;
2) curriculum vitae;
3) teaching statement and evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., student evaluations of teaching, peer observation letters);
4) the names and contact information for three professional references who can provide letters of recommendation upon request. In the cover letter, candidates are encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusive academic environments and engaging across differences.

All information may be submitted electronically to Michael King, Search Committee Chair at biology@stetson.edu with "BVTS STEM" in the subject line. Review of applications will begin on March 9, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Authorization Requirements:
Work authorization sponsorship may be available for this position. However, sponsorship is contingent upon the non-applicability of the visa petition fees outlined in the relevant Executive Order signed September 19, 2025. Due to the recent federally mandated increased financial expense, the university is not in a position to absorb this significantly increased cost of sponsorship for new H-1B petitions at this time. International candidates are encouraged to apply but should be aware that eligibility for sponsorship will be evaluated in accordance with current U.S. immigration regulations and institutional policies.