Florida Gulf Coast University
Job Summary
As an Instructor of Biology, your primary responsibility will be
teaching lower-level undergraduate biology courses that could
include those that support the pre-nursing program. As such, you
will be involved in course and/or curriculum development in
lower-level undergraduate courses; pursue professional development
that supports undergraduate teaching; and participate on College
and University committees and/or initiatives.
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, 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.
The Department of Biological Sciences and FGCU provide unique
opportunities for candidates interested in this position. On an
average year, we support 900 undergraduate students and 15 to 25
Master's students. Departmental faculty possess wide range of
scholarly interests to include molecular, genetic, and organismal
pursuits as well as community-engaged research and SoTL
(Scholarship of Teaching and Learning). Faculty also provide
variety of learning opportunities that run the range of Bloom's
taxonomy (from recall to creation) and, therefore, employ different
approaches to include integrated lab-lectures, active-learning, and
Course-embedded Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs).
Faculty, staff, and students also partner extensively with the
community members, which supports the university's sustainability
and service-learning goals. In addition, half of the campus is set
aside as conservation areas, which creates a living laboratory for
both teaching and research opportunities for the field and lab.
This is a special place for people who want to connect their
teaching, research, and service.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong interest in introductory
biology instruction, utilizing different approaches that complement
departmental strengths. They should demonstrate a genuine
commitment to student-centered education, prioritizing the growth
and development of their students. This candidate should have a
proven ability to foster collaboration that could include
partnerships within or outside the discipline. Moreover, they
should display a capacity for innovative thinking and actively
contributing to creative endeavors that enhance student learning
experiences.
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:
- Teaches 12 credit hours per semester of lower-level
undergraduate courses in biology and related subjects, as assigned
in the annual teaching assignment.
Participate in disciplinary research, Scholarship of Teaching
and Learning (SoTL), and/or community-engaged service activities
aligned with professional interests and institutional
priorities.
Prepare and deliver course content, including syllabi,
lectures, instructional materials, assessments, and timely
evaluation of student performance.
Maintain scheduled office hours and ensure timely, professional
communication with students, colleagues, staff, and
administrators.
Participate in departmental, college, and university meetings,
as well as faculty evaluations, assessments, and curriculum
development/revision efforts.
Utilize the university's learning management system and other
required campus-wide technologies to support teaching and related
responsibilities.
Complete all mandatory university trainings and comply with all
institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
Engage in ongoing self-assessment and professional development
to maintain effective instructional practices and remain current in
the field.
Contribute to service at the departmental, institutional,
community, and professional levels in alignment with the
University's mission.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Additional Job Description
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Biology, or a closely-related area from a
regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation with
a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline.
- Demonstrated potential for, or a record of, achievement in
teaching undergraduate courses.
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD degree in biology or closely-related discipline from a
regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
- Experience with management of the lower division Biology
curriculum, especially in connection with standards, scheduling,
staffing, and policy implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to teach first-year biology courses, such
as BSC 1010C (General Biology 1 with Lab), BSC 1007C (Introduction
to Biology, and/or MCB 2010C (Microbiology with Lab),
effectively.
- Demonstrated experience to implement impactful and successful
active-learning experiences, such as Process Oriented Guided
Inquiry Learning (POGIL) or Course-embedded Undergraduate Research
Experiences (CUREs).
- Demonstrated experience to work with student teaching
assistants to improve student learning and success.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of
inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the
discipline(s).
- Understands how to use digital and interactive technologies to
efficiently and effectively achieve specific learning goals.
- Knowledge of critical thinking processes and understanding how
to help learners develop high-level questioning skills.
- Knowledge and skill in the use of inquiry-based instructional
models and strategies.
- Knowledge and ability to use technology in various teaching
modalities (e.g., Face-to-face, synchronous online, or asynchronous
online).
- Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and
outside the University in developing and delivering instruction,
resulting in improved student learning.
- Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges
with creativity.
- Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and
holding oneself accountable.
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively
across teams.
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
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Five (5) Professional References
The position is listed as "open until filled", however
applications received by November 6, 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/instructor-i-biology-fort-myers-florida-united-states
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