California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) seeks applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor position in discipline-based educational research in biological sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry. The position will reside in either the Department of Biological Sciences or the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and be affiliated with the Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education. This position is part of a Diversity and Equity Cluster Hire Initiative that seeks to recruit and retain a diverse community of scholars who will serve as role models for our diverse student body and who have a demonstrated commitment to the academic success of a diverse student population. Candidates can demonstrate their commitment to diversity and equity through their teaching or research and creative activity or service. This could be demonstrated, for instance, through the development and teaching of chemistry/biology curricula that advance racial and social justice drawing from their engagement with communities of color, or [and] research and creative activities focused on assessing the achievement gaps in STEM.
The Department of Biological Sciences currently offers a B.S. in Biological Sciences with four areas of concentration, including general, ecology, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology, and an M.S. in Biological Science, as well as an interdisciplinary B.S. in Biotechnology. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers ACS certified degrees at the Bachelor’s level, including a B.S. in Chemistry with options in Chemistry or in Chemistry Education and a B.S. in Biochemistry, as well as an M.S. in Chemistry.
Minimum Qualifications
- An earned Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or related fields
- Strong record of Education Research in Biological Sciences, Chemistry or Biochemistry commensurate with years of experience; the specific area of research under these umbrellas is open.
- Disciplinary expertise for teaching majors courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with colleagues and with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community with a substantial population of first-generation students
- Ability to develop and sustain an independent research program involving students that will lead to original, peer-reviewed publications.
Preference will be given to applicants with:
- At least two years of post-doctoral experience pertinent to Biology Education Research or Chemistry Education Research
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness at the college level.
- Demonstrated intercultural competence with diverse groups in teaching, research and/or service
- Experience in effective research-based instructional practices
- Experience enhances and complements existing programmatic strengths.
Duties:
- Contribute to instruction in current lower-division and upper-division undergraduate courses. The candidate may be asked to redesign existing courses, and/or develop new undergraduate and graduate lecture and/or laboratory courses in their area of disciplinary expertise. Teaching responsibilities will include some combination of a major core course, lower division majors courses, and upper division electives in the candidate’s area of disciplinary expertise. Participation in the graduate program may include development of a TA training course for MS students, and the candidate will be given the opportunity to develop additional graduate-level classes related to education or education research.
- Develop an independently funded educational research program involving CSUSM students. In addition to modest opportunities for internal research funding, there is wide-spread support for the attainment of external research monies. The successful candidate will be expected to support educational research efforts within these departments where possible.
- Participate in activities serving the department, college, university, and community.
APPLICATION:
- A completed Faculty Application
- Letter of interest
- A curriculum vitae that notes teaching experience (if applicable)
- Up to three recent peer-reviewed publications
- Statement of teaching philosophy (up to 2 pages)
- A description of research accomplishments and future research goals including a statement describing a plan for student involvement (up to 3 pages)
- Narrative statement describing your commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a multicultural/multiethnic urban campus environment with a substantial population of first-generation students. Please address your experience with and/or vision for mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds. (up to 2 pages)
- Three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead, to be submitted electronically per instructions found at https://csm.submittable.com/
submit.
Review of applications will begin January 20, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.
Submit application materials and direct any inquiries to https://csm.submittable.com
The university is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for under-represented groups.
CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit http://www.csusm.edu/
California State University San Marcos is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.
