Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology (Biodiversity)

Xavier University of Louisiana

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Position Title Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology (Biodiversity)

FLSA

Department Department Of Biology

Job Summary

The Department of Biology at Xavier University of Louisiana invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Visiting Assistant Professor position beginning in Fall 2027. This appointment is for a three-year term and is primarily focused on excellence in undergraduate teaching and student mentorship, with no research expectation. The successful candidate will teach lecture and laboratory sections of the Department’s Biodiversity course and contribute to instruction in the first-year Biology sequence for STEM majors. In addition, the position offers the opportunity to develop and teach an upper-division elective course aligned with the candidate’s area of expertise and interests. We seek an enthusiastic educator who is committed to student-centered teaching, inclusive pedagogical practices, and fostering student engagement, persistence, and academic success in a diverse learning environment. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate education and to preparing students for success in advanced study and a broad range of STEM careers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Teach lecture and laboratory sections of the Biodiversity course;
• Teach first-year Biology courses for STEM majors;
• Advise and support Biology majors;
• Teach 12 credit hours per semester;
• Develop and teach an upper-division elective course in the candidate’s area of expertise;
• Contribute to the operation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the biology program;
• Participate in departmental activities and University service appropriate to the appointment;
• Participate in department, division, college, and university meetings, assemblies, convocations, and commencement exercises, as appropriate to the appointment.
• Foster an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that supports student engagement, persistence, and academic success.

About the Department The Department of Biology is the largest academic department at Xavier University of Louisiana, with over 800 majors and 24 faculty members. The Department ranks third nationally in the number of Black and African American students earning baccalaureate degrees in Biology and in the broader Biomedical Sciences. It has a strong national reputation for producing health professionals and is a leading source of Black and African American students who go on to earn the MD degree, and its graduates also rank fifth nationally in the number of Black and African American students who complete doctoral degrees in the Life Sciences. These accomplishments reflect the Department’s longstanding commitment to excellence in teaching, student-centered mentoring, and transformative educational experiences that prepare students for success in graduate and professional education, scientific research, and leadership roles in their communities and professions.

About Xavier University of Louisiana Founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana is the only Catholic Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Located in New Orleans, the ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Xavier University of Louisiana’s current enrollment is 3,419. Of these, 2,693 are undergraduates and 205 are graduate students enrolled in Masters and Doctoral programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, there are 518 students enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, which offers the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies, the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Doctor of Pharmacy. Xavier’s student body is 80% African American, with approximately 37% from Louisiana, primarily from the New Orleans area. The balance comes from 42 other states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and several countries.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology or a related field;
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses in one of the following areas: Organismal Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and STEM);
• Previous experience teaching at the undergraduate level;
• Write and speak English proficiently;
• Ability to teach and develop face-to-face as well as online classes;
• A strong potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate students;
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population; and
• Commitment to the mission of Xavier University of Louisiana.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching lecture and laboratory courses in organismal biology, ecology, evolution, or a related area;
• Knowledge of effective teaching practices that support student success, including culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogies;
• Awareness of factors that may affect the academic success of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds;
• Experience with pedagogical best practices and a commitment to ongoing professional development in teaching and learning;
• Familiarity with active-learning strategies that promote student engagement and achievement; and
• Experience implementing inclusive teaching practices that foster equitable learning environments and student success.

Requirements

• Summary

• Work Hours

• Full-Time

• KSA's

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Posting Detail Information

• Posting Number

• F209P

• Number of Vacancies

• 1

• Desired Start Date

• 08/02/2027

• Position End Date (if temporary)

• Posting Date

• 10/26/2026

• Application Review Date

• 10/26/2026

• Closing Date

• Open Until Filled

• Yes

• Quicklink for Posting

• https://jobs.xula.edu/postings/4025

• About Xavier

• About Xavier

• Founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana is the only Catholic Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Located in New Orleans, the ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Xavier University of Louisiana’s current enrollment is 3,419. Of these, 2,693 are undergraduates and 205 are graduate students enrolled in Masters and Doctoral programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, there are 518 students enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, which offers the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies, the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Doctor of Pharmacy. Xavier’s student body is 80% African American, with approximately 37%