Assistant Professor of Biology--Anatomy & Physiology

Pacific Lutheran University’s Department of Biology seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in human anatomy and physiology to begin September 1, 2027.

About the Role

The teaching load is six courses per year, with both lecture and lab sections counting toward the total. Annual responsibilities include the human anatomy and physiology sequence (using cadaveric specimens), small upper-division courses in anatomy and/or physiology, and the opportunity to develop new courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise. The successful candidate will also maintain an active scholarship program that complements the department’s strengths and provides meaningful undergraduate research opportunities. Interdisciplinary collaborations, especially with Kinesiology, are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Teach assigned undergraduate courses, including upper-division offerings.
• Engage undergraduates in scholarly research or pedagogical projects.
• Hold regular office hours for student mentoring.
• Attend and participate in department meetings.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology or a related field; ABD considered if degree will be conferred by September 1, 2027.
• Legal eligibility to work in the United States on the hire date without university sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with cadaveric specimens.

Skills

• Strong background in human anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of effective, inclusive teaching strategies.
• Commitment to working with a diverse faculty and student body.
• Enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching in a liberal-arts setting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

About the Department

The Biology Department is a vibrant, student-centered community dedicated to helping undergraduates understand the complexity and diversity of life through hands-on laboratory and field experiences, undergraduate research, and close faculty-student mentoring. Faculty represent a broad range of disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, developmental biology, ecology, and evolution. Students pursue careers in health professions, graduate programs, research, environmental science, education, and other life-science fields.

About the University

Pacific Lutheran University integrates liberal arts, professional studies, and civic engagement in the Pacific Northwest. Located on a 156-acre woodland campus in Tacoma’s Parkland neighborhood—40 minutes south of Seattle—PLU emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the 2024–25 academic year, 40.6% of undergraduates are first-generation college students, 48.0% identify as students of color, and 34.2% are Pell Grant–eligible. The university supports faculty-shared governance and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.