Assistant Professor - Biology

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Division of Natural Sciences at Hamline University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biology, with a specialization in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Biology, to begin fall 2027.  Biology faculty are scholars who collaborate to provide high impact experiences for our students including team-based active learning courses, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and faculty-mentored summer research. Our emphasis on student-centered, evidence-based teaching has earned the Hamline University Biology Program gold-level recognition by the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE). We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, in full accord with the value that Hamline University places on its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. The program fosters an environment in which all members are supported and feel empowered to obtain their teaching and scholarship goals.

The Biology major curriculum provides students with a broad foundation in biology through a two-course core, a deeper understanding of various sub-disciplines of biology in elective courses, and a capstone experience in their senior year. In addition to teaching and providing research opportunities for Biology majors, Biology Program faculty also teach courses that are part of the general education curriculum (e.g., first-year seminars, natural science courses for non-science majors) and teach courses and provide leadership for several other academic programs that intersect with Biology. The candidate hired for this position will be welcome to collaborate with academic programs outside of Biology that are relevant to their expertise and interests (e.g., Environmental & Climate Studies, Computational Data Science).

Teaching responsibilities for this position will include regular teaching of two introductory courses: BIOL 1510 and BIOL 1520: Integrated Concepts of Biology I and II. This position also offers the candidate the opportunity to teach other existing or newly-developed courses related to their expertise. We are especially interested in candidates who study the scholarship of teaching and learning in a biology context. Tenure-track faculty at Hamline typically teach six courses per academic year, with a one-course reduction during the first year and a three-course release after a successful 3rd year review. Laboratory sections count as fractional course load equivalents. 

We are excited about a prospective colleague who:

• has college teaching experience, is able to teach introductory biology classes, and who will develop electives in areas of their expertise;
• is committed to teaching excellence and to learning and employing innovative, high impact pedagogical practices that create equitable courses and promote student learning;
• has experience in education research including peer reviewed publications and is ready to build a productive research program that includes collaboration with undergraduate students; 
• has a record of supporting students from underserved populations;
• is interested in engaging in shared governance and providing service to the Biology Program, the college, the university, and their community.

A Ph.D. at time of appointment (August 2027) is preferred; appropriate areas of expertise include biological sciences, learning sciences, science education, and biology education research. Applicants are expected to have at least a masters level degree in the Biological Sciences. Experience teaching AI literacy and incorporating AI tools is also preferred.

Screening of applications will begin on September 15 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions may be addressed to Leif Hembre, Program Chair & Search Chair ([email protected]).

Please include the following documents with your application:

• A letter of interest and current curriculum vitae
• A teaching statement that outlines pedagogy in a multicultural/multiethnic campus environment with a substantial population of students who are among the first-generation of their family to attend college.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness, for example sample assignments, copies of student evaluations, a list of courses previously taught and/or a list of courses that could be taught.
• Transcripts of graduate coursework (unofficial transcripts are sufficient)
• A research statement focusing on past work and future plans, with an emphasis on research directions that are suitable and feasible to be done in collaboration with undergraduate students
• Names and contact information for three references
• References for finalists will be contacted to submit a confidential reference letter.

About Hamline University

Hamline University resides in the Midway neighborhood, centrally located in the culturally rich Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. The College of Liberal Arts, together with Hamline’s School of Business, serves approximately 1,700 undergraduate students. The University’s mission is to create a diverse and collaborative community of learners dedicated to the development of students’ knowledge, values, and skills for successful lives of leadership, scholarship, and service. Hamline University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educator, and is especially interested in faculty candidates whose work and scholarship will enrich equality on campus.

All questions marked ‘Required’ need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected, you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position, contact information for 3 current, professional references, as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.