Assistant Professor of Biology

Assistant Professor of Biology

Stetson University seeks an Assistant Professor of Biology. This is a full-time, 9-month position beginning in August 2027. We seek a dedicated teacher-scholar who will be an excellent teacher, engaged undergraduate research mentor, and productive scholar. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a biological science (earned by August 2027) with a research focus in Marine Biology. Postdoctoral experience is strongly recommended. The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellence in teaching undergraduates, an ability to mentor undergraduate research projects, and a record of scholarly publication in their field. Candidates also should have a strong commitment to innovative teaching and academic advising of undergraduates. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience or interest in engaging students from diverse backgrounds.

As a liberal learning institution, Stetson focuses on education of the whole student through a strong foundation in general education, deep disciplinary training, and experiential learning. Thus, this tenure-track faculty position has a strong focus on teaching, advising, and mentoring of undergraduate research. The annual teaching load includes five regular courses and one student-centered immersive experience (equivalent to one course) as a part of the University's experiential, contemporary, and integrative learning initiative – Hatter Ready. Primary teaching responsibilities include upper-division courses that will contribute to our Aquatic and Marine Biology major (such as Marine Ecology), introductory biology courses, and mentoring of capstone senior research projects. As teacher-scholars, candidates will be expected to be excellent teachers and pursue a vibrant research program. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop a marine and coastal research program through collaborations with Stetson's Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience and its various local and regional partners. The candidate will also provide academic advising for undergraduates each semester. University service and/or leadership are also expected commensurate with rank.

Stetson's Department of Biology takes a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate liberal arts education. Our faculty are also committed scholars with strong publication records. Currently, the Biology Department consists of nine tenured or tenure-track full-time faculty members, a lab coordinator, and three visiting assistant professors with areas of expertise in molecular biology, genetics, neurobiology, cancer biology, microbiology, entomology, marine vertebrate biology, arachnology, limnology, and aquatic and terrestrial ecology. We emphasize small classes and investigative research in and out of the classroom.

Stetson's College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse of the University's colleges and schools; it includes the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, education, and creative arts. With nineteen academic departments and nine interdisciplinary programs, the College is the liberal arts core of the University. A great strength of the College is its faculty of approximately 140 full-time teacher-scholars. The College offers 31 undergraduate majors and 34 undergraduate minors; seven graduate degrees are offered in Education, Counselor Education, and Creative Writing. Every undergraduate major requires a senior research project, allowing students the opportunity to design and carry out independent research under faculty mentorship. Our academic programs are shaped by the values of social justice and civic responsibility. All our courses and programs of study promote engaged learning, whereby students create connections between the classroom or lab and the local, regional, and global community.

Founded in 1883, Stetson University is a private, selective university comprised of a rich array of liberal arts and professional academic programs. Collectively, Stetson's faculty works with approximately 3,700 students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The University's historic main campus, located in DeLand, enrolls approximately 2,300 students in undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the School of Music. Stetson University College of Law, Florida's first law school, moved from the main campus to Gulfport in 1945, and, with the addition of the Tampa Law Center, serves approximately 1,000 students working full-time or part-time toward J.D. or LL.M. degrees. Graduate programs based at the main campus in DeLand include Business, Accounting, Education, Counseling, and Creative Writing, with Educational Leadership cohorts also offered at the Gulfport campus. Stetson is Florida's oldest private institution of higher learning and was the first private college in Florida to be granted a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Stetson University provides an inspiring education that engages students with rigorous academic and creative study grounded in liberal learning and promotes civic values of personal and social responsibility. Firmly committed to inclusive excellence, our vibrant community of teacher-scholars nurtures the potential of individual students to lead lives of significance and prepares each to meet the challenges of shaping the future—locally, nationally, and globally.

DeLand is a picturesque residential community of 38,000 located 20 miles west of Daytona Beach and 35 miles northeast of Orlando. The area offers extensive cultural as well as recreational activities.

Salary is competitive. Starting date is August 9, 2027. Applicants are asked to supply:

• a cover letter that includes a philosophy of teaching in a liberal arts university
• a curriculum vitae
• an unofficial transcript from the institution awarding the highest degree
• three letters of recommendation, at least two of which include an evaluation of teaching ability.

Candidates are encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusive academic environments and engaging across differences. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with preference given to applications received on or before October 16, 2026.