Assistant Professor - Biology

Apply now Job no:495002
Position type:FAC - Tenure Track Faculty
Location:Allendale, Michigan
Categories:College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Summary:

The Biology Department seeks an assistant professor, full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, specializing in Science Education (K-12), and demonstrated success in teaching and scholarship. The successful candidate will contribute to the Integrated Science program and collaborate with faculty in other sciences and science education disciplines on curriculum development and/or research projects activities. This position will being August 6, 2024.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Ph.D. in Biology or Biology Education; ABD candidate will be considered for a two-year contract with the provision that the Ph.D. must be completed by December 2025.
• Teaching or research experience with preservice teachers is desirable.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching and research.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This could include experience using inclusive teaching practices; research relating to minoritized populations or social inequality; community-based outreach to minoritized and underserved communities; and other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship, and/or service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to integrate other science disciplines, especially Earth science and climate change.
• Experience conducting ecologic investigations with undergraduate students.
• Ability to engage the West Michigan community with research and teaching interests.

Responsibilities:

• Duties each semester include a 9-credit hour teaching load, baseline scholarship and service, and a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and/or service depending on the candidate's interests and the department’s needs.
• Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate Integrated Science courses for preservice teachers and Biology courses for majors and non-majors appropriate to the applicant’s area of expertise. Other assignments include student advising, active scholarship, and university and community service.

Salary/Benefits
The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit Benefits and Wellness - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

Department/College:
The Biology Department at Grand Valley State University places an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. Its 37 full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal education while providing intensive engagement in the biological sciences. High-impact field and lab experiences and community collaboration are hallmarks of our relevant, interdisciplinary curriculum. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community. The Integrated Science Program at Grand Valley State University is a collaboration between Biology, Geology, Chemistry and Physics to prepare preservice teachers at the primary and secondary levels. This interdisciplinary collaboration requires the support of the affected units, and works across colleges in support of students. Its 10 full-time faculty teach six courses in the Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching major and eight courses in the Integrated Science Secondary major. Faculty collaborate with colleagues in the College of Education and Community Innovation. The university’s Regional Math and Science Center collaborates with the K-12 and higher education communities, informal science and governmental organizations, and business and industry to coordinate science and mathematics outreach activities in the West Michigan area. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacherscholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and
across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together. 

Campus/University:

Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million
people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How to Apply:

A complete application must include:

The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616- 331-2215. Email questions about the position to: Dr. Janet Vigna, Biology Education Search Committee, Biology Department, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401-9403. 

Application Deadline: The review process will begin on November 10, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University. 

The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution, consistent with its obligations as a federal contractor. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the University. Members of the University community, including students, employees, faculty, staff, administrators, Board members, consultants, vendors, others engaged to do business with the University, candidates for employment or admissions, and visitors or guests have the right to be free from acts of harassment and discrimination, including sexual misconduct, as defined by this policy. In accordance with applicable federal and state law and this policy, acts of discrimination or harassment by members of the campus community are prohibited if they discriminate or harass on the basis of age, color, disability, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, veteran or active duty military status or weight. This includes inappropriate limitation of, access to, or participation in educational, employment, athletic, social, cultural, or other university programs and activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Limitations are lawful if they are: directly related to a legitimate university purpose, required by law, or lawfully required by a grant or contract between the university and the state or federal government. For the purposes of this policy, sex-/gender-based harassment includes sexual misconduct, sexual assault, interpersonal or relationship violence, and stalking. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Advertised:29 Sep 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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