Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor of Developmental
Biology
Position Category: Faculty
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: .75 (9-mth. full-time)
Location: Thousand Oaks
University Background:
The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders
for a global society who are strong in character and judgment,
confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service
and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the
university has an enrollment of about 3,500 undergraduate and
graduate students who come from across the nation and around the
world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a
federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is
looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working
in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive
learning and work environment that values individual differences
and respects each person's dignity.
Basic Function:
Funded by the Fletcher Jones Foundation, this endowed Professorship
is responsible for providing academic instruction to students for
undergraduate courses Biology courses. Under the direction of the
Dean and Department Chair, the Associate or Full Professor is to
serve as an academic advisor to students; contribute to department
and university activities; serve on faculty or university
committees; engage in scholarship involving undergraduate
mentees.
Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in Biology or a related
field and provide evidence of excellence in teaching, as well as a
strong commitment to developing a sustained research program
involving undergraduate students. It is essential that interested
candidates possess the ability or potential to teach, advise, and
mentor undergraduate students, particularly those from diverse and
underserved backgrounds. Preference will be given to candidates who
can serve as role models for Latinx, Hispanic, African American, or
Native American, First Generation students, or students of other
underrepresented demographic groups. Postdoctoral research and
experience in collaborative grant writing are also highly
desirable. The successful candidate is expected to annually or
semi-annually teach lecture and laboratory courses in Developmental
Biology, Genetics and Introductory Biology lecture and lab courses,
in addition to elective course offerings that align with their area
of expertise or other courses that support the department's
offerings.
The successful candidate's field of research expertise is open, but
preference will be given to research programs that broadly include
developmental biology, genetics or genetic analysis of organisms.
Candidates that are motivated to develop undergraduate laboratory
classes that integrate genuine research experiences conducted over
the course of a semester (Course-Based Undergraduate Research
Experiences - CURES) are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Biology Department at Cal Lutheran has excellent resources for
engaging students in the process of scientific discovery. Cal
Lutheran has recently built a new, 47,000 square foot
joint-sciences building with dedicated research space. We offer an
inquiry-based curriculum that through smaller class sizes
emphasizes active learning in order to provide students the
knowledge and skills they need to succeed in elite graduate
programs and prepare for careers in industry or academia.
In line with CLU's commitment to experiential learning, financial
support for research and professional development is available,
with particular emphasis on faculty-student collaborative
scholarship. This support includes university funds for
undergraduate conference travel, academic-year research teams, and
summer research students. The successful candidate will be an
active, visible researcher who helps strengthen our culture of
student-centered scientific inquiry across the College, modeling
high-quality research practice while engaging students as genuine
collaborators in the creation of new scientific knowledge.
Representative Duties:
- Primary responsibilities for this position include teaching the
following undergraduate/grad courses (24 units/year): Developmental
Biology, Genetics, Introductory Biology Lecture and Lab classes,
Departmental Research or Capstone classes and other courses
aligning with the candidate's expertise. E
Provide academic instruction to students through lecture and
lab, courses. Create assignments and activities in one-on-one,
classroom, and distance mediated instructional settings for
development of cognitive abilities, communication skills, and
higher order thinking skills among students. E
Observe and evaluate student performance in meeting course
objectives and student learning outcomes through assignments,
projects, discussions, and examinations; provide feedback in a
timely manner to student inquiries in class, online, or during
established consultation office hours. E
Maintain current, accurate records of course enrollment,
attendance, student academic progress, course curriculum; prepare
and submit grades, data, and reports related to course and student
progress in a timely manner. E
Teach and hold office hours in person on campus, at least 4
days per week. E
Provide a course syllabus to students in each class within the
first week of the class, as outlined in the faculty handbook.
E
Adhere to the responsibilities related to teaching, advising,
service, and scholarly, professional, and creative activities for
Assistant Professors as outlined in the faculty handbook. E
Maintain an active research program involving mentorship of
undergraduate students. Faculty stipends are available to mentor
students earning research fellowships during summer months. E
Attend and participate on committees and in department,
division, campus, and University meetings. E
Evening and weekend hours may be required. E
Performs related duties as assigned.
E=Essential Duties
Knowledge Of:
- Current theory and practice within the subject discipline
- Principles and best practices of effective teaching, including
Active Learning
- Student learning outcomes and methods of assessment
- University curricula
- Community and campus resources, services, programs, and
professionals available to students
- Methods of gathering, analyzing, and preparing data
- Modern computing technology
- Record-keeping techniques about student enrollment, attendance,
and progress
Ability To:
- Demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge in the subject
field or discipline
- Deliver course curricula in various learning styles
- Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse
academic, social, economic, cultural, and ethnic background of
University students
- Exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of
students with disabilities
- Integrate current and emerging instructional delivery
technologies into the learning process to enhance teaching and the
educational experience
- Maintain a research program that involves mentoring
undergraduate students in independent projects.
- Seek extramural funding for a research program.
- Present, and mentor students in presenting, research at
on-campus, regional or other conferences or opportunities.
- Maintain professional standards that protect student
confidentiality
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing using tact,
patience, and courtesy
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Work constructively with their colleagues and to treat faculty,
staff, administrators, and students with respect and
professionalism
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of
action
- Demonstrate commitment to professional excellence and
continuous growth within subject field or discipline
- Satisfactorily fulfill a faculty member's duties and
responsibilities and make significant contributions to the
University community.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt practical courses of
action
Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a Ph.D. in Biology, Genetics or related field from an
accredited institution.
Preferred Qualifications:
Licenses and Other Requirements:
None
Physical Abilities:
Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence;
communicate clearly to exchange information in person and via the
telephone or video; operate a computer and other office
productivity machinery; stationary position for extended periods of
time; move or transport light objects; position self to store
and/or retrieve files.
Working Environment:
Indoor classroom environment; subject to visiting a variety of
classroom sites on campus.
Hiring Range Angela will supply this before posting
Posting Number: Faculty001292020
Open Date: 08/10/2026
Close Date: 10/18/2026
Application Procedure/Special Instructions Please include
the following materials with your application:
1. Cover Letter: Please tell us about yourself and explain how you
meet the qualifications for the position. Please also describe how
you plan to support the mission and Hispanic-Serving Institution
designation of California Lutheran University. Two pages
maximum.
2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume: Please provide a curriculum vitae or
resume detailing your educational background, professional
experience, teaching experience, publications, service,
appointments or positions, honors, awards, and other relevant
accomplishments.
3. Please include a list of professional references whom the
University may contact.
4. Statement of Teaching: Please discuss your teaching philosophy
and provide concrete examples of your pedagogy. Two pages
maximum.
5. Statement of Research: Please describe your program of research,
noting any work completed in collaboration with undergraduate
students. If you have not previously conducted research with
undergraduate students, please describe your plans for future
scholarship and student collaboration. Two pages maximum.
6. Inclusive Excellence Statement: Please explain how you will
encourage and facilitate inclusive excellence through your
teaching, mentorship, research, and service. Two pages
maximum.
To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/13549
California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal
opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race,
religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical
disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status,
sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender
identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable
law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program,
activity or facility of the University on the basis of these
factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state
laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University's
policies, procedures, and processes.
Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process
can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please
contact the Human Resources Department for further information or
to request an accommodation.
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