Visiting Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio Wesleyan University invites applications for a one-year visiting assistant professor position in the Biological Sciences beginning August 2026. We seek an outstanding teacher committed to engaging undergraduates in both the classroom and the laboratory. The successful candidate will teach lecture and lab sections of BIOL 120: Introduction to Cellular Biology, which is one of the gateway courses for majors in the Biological Sciences.

Concurrent sections of BIOL 120 are taught by other faculty members in the Biological Sciences who work collaboratively to develop the curriculum and lab manual, which is standardized and used by all instructors. Although expertise in cell biology is preferred, the lecture topics are broad enough that we strongly encourage anyone with expertise in the biological sciences to apply.

The department is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community with wide-ranging teaching and research interests, supported by faculty development and mentoring from the Smith Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. The new hire will join a college deeply committed to flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity and have opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and collaboration across the Ohio Five and GLCA consortia.

Responsibilities

• Teaching one lecture and two lab sections of BIOL 120 (9 contact hours) in the fall semester, and one lecture and three lab sections of BIOL 120 (12 contact hours) in the spring semester
• Advising students in their academic journey
• Providing service to the department, university, and profession
• Assisting in curriculum development, revision, and evaluation

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology or a related discipline
• Evidence of preparation for teaching at the undergraduate level
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to helping students from diverse racial, social, and cultural groups attain their full potential

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as the Instructor of Record for an undergraduate biology course
• Experience teaching cellular biology or related topics
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit the following:

1. Cover Letter
2. CV
3. Teaching and Student Engagement Statement: Please provide a statement that articulates your teaching philosophy. In your response, address your ability to teach a lecture and lab course focusing on an introduction to cellular biology and to employ pedagogical approaches that support students with varied perspectives and experiences. Describe how you connect students with opportunities, resources, and networks that expand their access to your field of study. Include examples of outreach, advising, or program activities that have supported students whose pathways into the discipline may not follow a traditional trajectory.

Please submit all materials via www.owu.edu/joinOWUfaculty, where you will find additional information about working at OWU.

Review of applications will begin on May 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

About Ohio Wesleyan

Located in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, Ohio Wesleyan is a selective residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,600+ students. The college’s signature program, The OWU Connection, empowers students to complete research, community service, careers, and study abroad, teaching students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book Colleges That Change Lives and was recently listed as the No. 1 liberal arts college in Ohio for social mobility by U.S. News and World Report. OWU is located in Delaware, OH, a lively college town just 30 minutes from Columbus, the 14th most populous city in the United States and part of the fastest growing, most economically vibrant areas of the Midwest. Columbus, known increasingly as the “Silicon Midwest,” was named by LinkedIn as one of the top 10 U.S. cities in which to launch your career.

To achieve our mission, we continually strive to foster a campus community where every individual is respected, supported, and able to flourish. We affirm the worth of all persons and welcome people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Ohio Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity institution and seeks applications from individuals who will contribute to, and help strengthen, our commitment to academic excellence, mutual respect, and the shared pursuit of knowledge.