Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology - 000087

The University of Richmond Department of Biology invites applications for a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology to begin in January 2024. This is a one-year position, renewable for up to three years, depending on performance, need, and budget.

Candidates should have a doctoral degree in the biological sciences with expertise in organismal biology. Preference will be given to candidates who can teach comparative vertebrate anatomy at the advanced undergraduate level and who are able to teach the second course in our 200-level curriculum (BIOL 202: Integrated Principles in Biology II) focused on evolution, ecology, and organismal biology. We are especially interested in recruiting individuals who have an interest in broadening access and inclusivity in STEM disciplines, which aligns with the University's strategic plan (https://strategicplan.richmond.edu/). Successful candidates will be committed to inclusive undergraduate teaching.

The Department of Biology provides a broad biology education within the context of the liberal arts. We are firmly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and aim to give all students interested in biology the opportunity and skills necessary for long-term success. We value teaching that emphasizes inclusive, evidence-based pedagogies and high-impact practices. Evaluation of candidates will be based largely on a single, integrated statement of up to four pages in which they describe their:

• Commitment to inclusion and diversity in STEM, as evidenced by their experience and/or understanding of issues related to inclusive pedagogy.
• Teaching experience and philosophy, including a discussion of how their expertise aligns with teaching courses in organismal biology at a primarily undergraduate institution.

The Department of Biology is housed in the Gottwald Center for the Sciences, along with the Departments of Chemistry, and Physics. The Department of Biology offers courses for non-majors and majors in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and a concentration in Neuroscience. The typical Visiting Assistant Professor teaching load is three units per semester, where a unit represents a lecture or laboratory session of three contact hours per week. The candidate selected for this position will have opportunities to mentor undergraduates in research and will have access to common equipment, supplies, and lab and teaching spaces. The successful candidate will also have access to professional development funds to support travel to professional meetings. The University maintains a small vivarium, greenhouse and herbarium, field vehicles, flow cytometer, and standard molecular biology equipment, and owns two mixed evergreen/deciduous forest field sites roughly 15 and 45 minutes from campus.

The School of Arts & Sciences, the liberal arts core of the University, is a thriving and inclusive community of 230 faculty, twenty-four departments, and twelve interdisciplinary programs. We offer distinctive and engaging learning opportunities to students and outstanding resources, such as the Faculty Hub, to support the scholarly, creative, and pedagogical activities of the faculty.

The University of Richmond is a private university located just a short drive from downtown Richmond, Virginia. Through its five schools and wide array of campus programming, the University combines the best qualities of a small liberal arts college and a large university. With approximately 4,000 students, an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, and more than 90% of traditional undergraduate students living on campus, the University is remarkably student-centered, focused on preparing students "to live lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership in a global and pluralistic society."

The University of Richmond is committed to developing a diverse workforce and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of difference in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. Our academic community strongly encourages applications that are in keeping with this commitment. For more information on the department and its programs, please see (https://biology.richmond.edu/).

Applicants should apply online at http://jobs.richmond.edu and submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, and integrated statement on teaching and fostering inclusivity in STEM. In addition, please include copies of academic transcripts. Candidates for this position may be asked, at a later date, to provide the names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will commence September 30, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the search should be addressed to Jory Brinkerhoff, Chair of the Search Committee (jbrinker@richmond.edu@richmond.edu).