Visiting Assistant Professor Biology (Molecular)

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology (Molecular)

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Biology

Full-time Visiting

Start date: July 1, 2019

Application review will begin February 11, 2019

About Whitworth University

Whitworth University provides an education with a strong liberal arts perspective, a robust commitment to Christian mission and service, a commitment to academic rigor, and a long-standing orientation toward human service. A community of Christian scholars carries out the university’s mission “to provide its diverse student body an education of the mind and heart.” Founded in 1890, Whitworth has been consistently ranked among the top regional colleges and universities in the West. In the current academic year, our diverse student body consists of thirty-five percent undergraduates from underrepresented groups, and four percent international students from over 35 different countries.  In recognition of the University’s commitment to broadening diversity at our institution, Whitworth was a recipient of the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award.  Faculty participate in a vibrant student community at Whitworth, which includes close faculty-student relationships, a dynamic chapel ministry, the Dornsife Center for Community Engagement, and a strong commitment to supporting student needs in and out of the classroom.

 

Find more by exploring the links below:

Whitworth Chapel: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/chapel/

Dornsife Center: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/dornsife-center-for-community-engagement/

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

About Whitworth’s Biology Department

The Biology department provides a stimulating environment in which students can use the latest technology in course and lab work, and also have opportunities for advanced research.  The department provides faculty and students access to modern instrumentation, such as a laser scanning confocal microscope and a quantitative PCR instrument. The Biology department is located in Robinson Science Hall, a 63,000 sq. ft. facility.  State-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories within Robinson provide space for teaching laboratories, individual faculty-student research space, and shared instrumentation.  The small class sizes typical in the department encourage students to become active learners in their own education, and helps foster close relationships between students and faculty members.  Faculty pursue active research programs, involving students in the process of performing research and presenting results at local and national venues.

For a further description of the Biology Department and the work of its faculty, please visit   https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/undergraduate-majors-and-programs/biology-ba-bs/

Find out more about Robinson Science Hall at  https://issuu.com/whitworth/docs/robinson-science-hall-impact-report?e=31959742/58141826

The Position: Visiting Assistant Professor in Biology

The Biology Department at Whitworth University invites applicants who are passionate about teaching molecular and developmental biology to a diverse group of undergraduate biologists.  The successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach upper division molecular genetics, developmental biology, or cellular biology, with the potential of also teaching introductory cell biology and/or biochemistry, as well as one or more courses in a specialized area of their expertise.  Although the specifics can vary, a typical teaching load includes two lecture courses with labs per semester and one course during the January term.  We seek scholars who enjoy collaborating with undergraduate students and who seek the challenge of inspiring students to reach their full potential. We also seek candidates that value evolutionary theory as foundational to an education in biology. We are particularly interested in individuals who have experience and/or demonstrated passion for working with and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds.

To Succeed in This Role Candidates Will Need

·         A Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field

·         A personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.

·         Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral English.

·         Demonstrated effectiveness in college-level undergraduate teaching, possessing strong relational skills with students and colleagues.

·         Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communications across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to race, gender, physical limitations, class or religious identities and perspectives.

·         Commitment to providing an equitable, just, and inclusive learning environment for all students.

·         Must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States by the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue to work legally for the proposed term of employment.

·         A commitment to equal opportunity

·         A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.

·         Employment offer is contingent on a successful background check, including education verification

If this sounds like the job for you:

The following documents are required to complete the online application form at www.whitworth.edu/jobs:

1.    A letter of interest that relates your education and experience to the required qualifications of the position.

2.    A personal essay characterizing your Christian faith. Please read www.whitworth.edu/facultyfaithessay before you write your essay.

3.    Your curriculum vitae.

4.    A 1-2 page teaching statement on your teaching philosophy. Include your approach to teaching a diverse student body and to creating and inclusive excellence learning environment.

5.    Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required at the time an offer to interview is extended).

6.    The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three or more professional references.

7.    Three recent student course evaluations (or a note explaining why they are not available).


Please direct questions about the application process to Elise Forman at eforman@whitworth.edu. Please direct questions about the position to the search committee chair, Dr. Grant Casady at gcasady@whitworth.edu.

 

About the Spokane Area
Spokane, with a population of about 210,000, is located on the Spokane River west of the Rocky Mountain foothills in eastern Washington State.  The region enjoys four seasons with the associated outdoor activities (mountain biking, climbing, swimming, boating, snowmobiling, skiing, etc.). Spokane is within 4-5 hours of three major national parks (Mt Rainier, North Cascades, Glacier) and the Canadian Rockies. The city is large enough to have a thriving downtown area with a riverfront park yet small enough to avoid the heavy traffic associated with larger cities. The Spokane area has a number of strong school districts including the Mead School District in which Whitworth is located.  Besides the strong public schools, the Spokane area has a number of highly ranked private schools, faith-based schools, and schools that have developed specialized options such as the Mead Riverpoint Academy with its emphasis on STEM and Entrepreneurial curriculum. In addition, Spokane has excellent health care facilities, and other top educational institutions close by. In summer of 2018 the city provided grants to NGOs to support multicultural events and activities to promote cultural events reflecting the different cultural groups in the community. For more information on Spokane, please visit https://www.visitspokane.com/ and http://www.movetospokane.com/.

 

Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. With our commitment to building a diverse community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.