Assistant Professor of Biology-Tenure Track
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL 60045 – starting August 2027.
About the role
The Biology Department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The successful candidate will lead the introductory biology course BIOL 120: Organismal Biology and teach the upper-level Plant Biology course (BIOL 384), both with laboratories. There is also the opportunity to develop additional courses in the applicant’s area of expertise, including teaching in the college-wide First Year Studies Program.
The introductory organismal biology course embraces the diversity of biological systems and integrates topics from molecules to ecosystems. The department values inquiry-based learning in lab courses and incorporates scientific literature starting in first-year courses.
The Biology Department actively seeks candidates whose professional and lived experiences strengthen their ability to teach and mentor all students, who embody a variety of identities, experiences, and preparations. Successful candidates will express enthusiasm for a liberal arts education.
Responsibilities
- Teach three courses per semester (labs count as a full course).
- Develop an active undergraduate-led research program that expands departmental expertise, resulting in peer-reviewed publications and efforts to secure external funding.
- Engage in interdisciplinary programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and Neuroscience.
- Participate actively in the College community.
Requirements
- Postdoctoral experience is required.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching beyond the traditional TA experience is strongly preferred.
Qualifications
The College prioritizes the quality of a faculty member’s teaching as the most important criterion for evaluation, alongside expectations for peer-reviewed publications.
Benefits
- Tenure-track faculty who pass their third-year review earn a half-year sabbatical at full pay in preparation for tenure.
- Access to research-grade facilities, including a research-grade greenhouse, tissue culture, microscopy, imaging facilities, and aquatic and terrestrial vivaria.
- Support for undergraduate researchers, federally-funded faculty, and a full-time lab manager.
About the institution
Lake Forest College is a highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, enrolling approximately 1,800 students from more than 40 states and over 100 countries. The College is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest, with nearly 40% of the student body comprised of domestic students of color and international students. The majority of STEM students are female and include a significant number of first-generation and traditionally underrepresented students.
The College has been recognized as a top institution by U.S. News & World Report (#1 in the nation for Social Mobility, #13 as a Best Value College), The Wall Street Journal (#1 Liberal Arts College in the Midwest), and The Princeton Review (#2 for best science lab facilities).