Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor of Developmental Biology

Position Title Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor of Developmental Biology

Position Category Faculty

FLSA Exempt

Position Status Tenure-Track

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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Teach and hold office hours in person on campus, at least 4 days per week.
• Provide a course syllabus to students in each class within the first week of the class, as outlined in the faculty handbook.
• Adhere to the responsibilities related to teaching, advising, service, and scholarly, professional, and creative activities for Assistant Professors as outlined in the faculty handbook.
• Maintain an active research program involving mentorship of undergraduate students. Faculty stipends are available to mentor students earning research fellowships during summer months.
• Attend and participate on committees and in department, division, campus, and University meetings.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

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 $100,000 - $135,000