Assistant Professor of Teaching: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
The Department of Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO, Scripps Institution of Oceanography) and the Marine Biology Program (MB, Marine Biology (BS)) at the University of California, San Diego invite applications for a position as full-time Assistant Professor of Teaching with the potential to achieve security of employment (equivalent to tenure).
We are interested in exceptional candidates with expertise and teaching experience in any of the following focal areas (with emphasis in marine systems): Microbiology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Data Science.
Approximately 200 principal investigators at SIO work to protect the planet by researching our oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to our greatest environmental challenges. We strive for interdisciplinary engagement and rigorous data science.
Our marine biology undergraduate program leads students to develop an understanding of the biology of marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. The major requires a foundation in the natural sciences, a systematic core of marine biology courses, and unifying laboratory/field courses that engage students more directly in the discovery process and in analyzing and interpreting data.
We seek outstanding candidates pursuing effective pedagogical approaches to teaching biological sciences at the university level and strong research experience in one of the above fields. The successful candidate is expected to: (i) contribute to teaching in our major curriculum and provide teaching leadership within the department; (ii) engage in service within SIO and UC San Diego including (but not limited to) mentoring and advising undergraduates in the marine biology major; and (iii) engage in meaningful professional and/or scholarly activity (creative activity/pedagogical or discipline-based research).
Professors of Teaching are full-time UC San Diego Senate faculty who are expected to teach a total of 24 units over the three quarters that make up the academic year (most courses are four units and are taught over a ten-week quarter). In addition to demonstrating excellence in teaching, individuals in this position are expected to engage in professional activities and services related to the pedagogical mission of the SIO Department, the Marine Biology Program, and the University.
In addition to excelling as instructors, Teaching Professors at UC San Diego are expected to be innovators in instructional development, curriculum design, course structure, teaching methods, new technologies, and coordinating a spectrum of teaching activities. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to teach core and advanced lecture and/or laboratory courses in the marine biology major. Of particular interest is the ability to lead courses in marine microbiology, cell biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and/or developmental biology.
Applications will be evaluated on vision and plans for: (i) teaching of truly exceptional quality that meets our long-term instructional needs; (ii) professional achievement and activity – an appointee in the teaching series is expected to maintain currency in the profession and pedagogy; (iii) University and public service, with substantial contributions to instruction-related, extracurricular, and outreach activities. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how they anticipate integrating UC San Diego’s Principles of Community (Principles of Community) in their research, teaching, and service. We welcome candidates who have had non-traditional career paths or who have taken time off for family reasons (e.g., caring for children, the disabled, or the elderly).
