Assistant Professor of Community Ecology

Assistant Professor of Community Ecology

Classification: Academic Year Faculty
Priority Screening Date: January 13, 2027
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
Appointment Date: Fall 2027

Employment with the California State University System

ABOUT CSUMB

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California's Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement , CSUMB is part of the nation's largest four-year public university system, California State University , which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students' lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB's sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university's Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

The Department of Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry at California State University, Monterey Bay invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level to begin in Fall 2027. We seek a teacher-scholar whose work examines the structure, dynamics, and/or function of ecological communities. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching, inclusive mentoring, and a sustainable research program that actively engages undergraduates.

Teaching responsibilities include contributing to both introductory courses in ecology and upper-division courses in Community Ecology or based on the candidate's area of expertise (such as Theoretical Ecology, Field Methods, Quantitative Ecology, or Organismal Biology). Candidates should be able to deliver inclusive, student-centered courses that use evidence-based pedagogy and incorporate course-based undergraduate research experiences where appropriate. The ideal candidate will also be able to mentor and advise diverse undergraduate students in research, capstone projects, internships, and career/graduate-school preparation.

The candidate will be expected to develop a research program in community ecology that provides authentic research opportunities for undergraduates and, where feasible, leverages the diverse inland ecosystems of the Monterey Bay region, as well as pursue internal and external funding to support research and scholarly activity.

Finally, the ideal candidate will be able to contribute to service at the department, college, university, and community levels, including assessment and curriculum development aligned with program learning outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach lower and upper division courses in Biology and Ecology (ex: BIO 211 - introductory biology, BIO 340 - ecology, BIO 449 - community ecology, and a potential new upper division elective course for the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology concentration
• Employ innovative teaching and learning techniques that engage students through the use of technology, hands on experience and problem solving
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in academics, capstone projects, internships, and post-degree career options

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Ecology, Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related field by the time of appointment from an APA accredited doctoral program
• Experience working effectively in an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community
• Commitment to and experience in teaching undergraduates
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in community ecology (including theoretical and/or field based community ecology)
• Demonstrated leadership skills in professional or academic areas are desirable
• Research and teaching interests and expertise that complement and strengthen those of existing faculty in the department.
• Strong interest in contributing to teaching of an introductory course in ecology as well as upper division courses in community ecology and other relevant areas of expertise
• Interest in mentoring undergraduate student research and/or internships
• Demonstrated experience with course and curriculum development
• Proven ability and desire to mentor and teach students from diverse cultural, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds
• Record of external funding and writing grant proposals

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The incumbent is required to maintain confidentiality as outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

COMPENSATION:

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,500 to $7,916* mo ($90,000 to $95,000 annual)

CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: Employee Benefits Summary . The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit:

APPLICATION PROCEDURE :

For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application and submit required documents by the priority screening date listed on the Careers at CSUMB website. Application submissions received after this date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

Each applicant should submit the following documentation, along with the application:

1. A cover letter
2. A current curriculum vitae
3. A diversity statement
4. A statement of research statement
5. A statement of teaching statement

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on jobs.sciencecareers.org or View email address on jobs.sciencecareers.org .

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Cal State Monterey Bay is currently not sponsoring H-1B employment visas which are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State University, Monterey Bay Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at:

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER :

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

To apply, visit

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