Tenure Track, Assistant Professor, Biology - Augsburg University

Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees to approximately 3,400 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

Among the distinctive features of the university are its deep dedication to civic and community engagement, robust undergraduate research programs, and a strong belief in the integration of liberal arts and professional studies across all programs. The University's commitments to our urban context and the world beyond it are enhanced through the work of four signature centers: the Christensen Center for Vocation, the Center for Global Education and Experience, the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. 

As part of Augsburg University's commitment to intentional diversity, 50% of our current student body identifies as Black, Indigenous, and persons of color. The emerging interdisciplinary Department of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies builds on this foundation to further diversify our academic curriculum and co-curricular programs. We do this work out of historical and contemporary obligations rooted in our ethical and intellectual commitments to prepare our diverse student body for a cosmopolitan world.

Augsburg's Statement of Commitment on Equity

We believe that education is the key to healthy, meaningful and productive lives for individuals, as well as to the vibrancy of our democracy. Augsburg University is dedicated to achieving an educational experience free from the barriers of poverty, racism, and discrimination so that students can fully realize their unique gifts. Recognizing that higher education's democratic promise is compromised by systemic and systematic barriers to college access and completion, Augsburg is called to stand for equity in everything we do to fulfill our academic mission, serve our students and engage our fellow citizens.

The Biology Department in the School of Natural Sciences at Augsburg University (Minneapolis, MN) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor who specializes in ecology or a closely related field such as evolution, environmental science, conservation science, etc. We are a vibrant department whose faculty serve nearly 300 students across three majors: Biology, Biopsychology and Biochemistry. This is a full-time, 9-month tenure track position with an anticipated start date in August 2025.

The Biology Department occupies portions of three floors of the recently opened Hagfors Center with 7 dedicated teaching labs, a 1000 sq ft greenhouse, a plant headhouse with 2 walk-in and 4 reach-in incubators, an animal facility, marine aquarium tanks, an imaging core facility and 4-dedicated faculty research laboratories. The new faculty member will be supported with startup funds, lab space, access to all shared facilities, access to grant application assistance through our Grants office, and potential funding for undergraduate student researchers through our URGO, McNair and donor-funded programs.

We seek a  candidate committed to developing and teaching core courses in our major, service courses and upper-division courses, including ecology, conservation biology, and new courses as desired and supported by the department and university.  In addition, the new faculty member is expected to mentor student researchers and participate in the life and work of the Department and University, including academic advising of students in the majors. The successful candidate will have training and experience in a field of ecology, or one that is closely related, and the ability to design and teach courses in ecology, general biology courses, and courses serving non-majors.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in biology, ecology or a related field and teaching and research-mentoring experience at the undergraduate level. 

Preferred Qualifications

Postdoctoral research experience, substantial student-centered teaching training and experience, evidence of productive research with undergraduate students, and a commitment to foster equity and inclusion of the institution, curriculum, and discipline.

Application Instructions and Requirements

Review of applicants will begin October 2, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

To apply for this position, please upload the following documents:

• CV

• A 2-page statement of teaching philosophy

• A 2-page research statement describing research that would involve undergraduate students

• Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts

As part of the online application process, you will be asked to provide the name, email address, and nature of your professional relationship for three professional references. One of them must be able to address your teaching or teaching potential. If your application advances in this search, you will be notified prior to Augsburg contacting your references. 

Official transcripts are required at the time of hire.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact the search committee co-chairs, Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright and Teresa Krause.

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.  Successful candidates will have demonstrated abilities working in an academic community committed to intentional diversity. Candidates are thus encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate these competencies.  Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.