The Department of Biology at Willamette University welcomes applications for a 
non-tenure-track, visiting assistant professor position to begin August 2015. 
The appointment will be for one year, with potential for renewal up to three 
years depending on successful teaching. 

We are seeking a broadly trained biologist who is strongly committed to 
excellence in both teaching and research in a liberal arts college environment. 
The successful candidate will be expected to teach 6 course units a year (1.0 
unit/lecture, 0.5 unit/lab). The teaching assignments will include an 
introductory non-majors biology course (BIOL 110 Principles of Biology) and an 
introductory course for biology majors in (Biology 125 Ecology, Evolution, and 
Diversity). The candidate will also be asked to teach intermediate and advanced 
courses in his or her area of expertise. These might include: General Ecology, 
Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Ecology, or Behavioral Ecology. Course sizes 
range from 12 to 48 students.

Teaching in our department is inspired by Vision and Change (NSF, AAC&U, 2011) 
and research training is deeply imbedded in the curriculum at all levels. The 
Departmental culture encourages visiting faculty to seek extramural funding for 
research and pedagogical projects. Visiting faculty are also eligible to apply 
for department funding to support  their teaching and scholarship. 

About Biology at Willamette: Through a research-rich curriculum that affords 
high-impact student engagement, our students learn how to discover knowledge 
for themselves, becoming life-long learners and creators. 60% of our graduates 
enter careers in science and technology, including MD and PhD programs at the 
nation’s leading research institutes. Our faculty aspire to be outstanding 
teacher-scholars, committed to excellence in teaching and research. Since 2005, 
the eight faculty members in Biology have received 41 research and education 
grants totaling $3.7 million, including two NSF CAREER awards. These awards 
have provided research experiences for 103 undergraduates.

For more information about the Department of Biology, please visit 
http://www.willamette.edu/cla/biology. 


Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related 
field; prior teaching experience is preferred but not required. A.B.D 
candidates will be considered, but the Ph.D. must be completed before beginning 
the appointment.

Prior teaching experience is preferred but not required.

To apply go to: https://jobs.willamette.edu/postings/1531
The following materials will need to be uploaded as part of your online 
application:

1. A cover letter describing your interest in the position.
2. A copy of your CV
3. A teaching statement describing your teaching philosophy and practice, and 
identifying advanced courses that you would be interested in teaching.
4. A research statement describing your current and future research goals, and 
how you might involve undergraduates in your work.
5. A diversity statement describing your experience with diverse populations 
and importance of diversity in teaching and research communities.
6. Copies of your graduate transcripts.
7. Three reference letters that address both research and teaching potential.*

*As part of the online application, please include three references and notify 
them that they will be contacted electronically. The email from Human Resources 
will include a link where they will be able to submit a letter of 
recommendation/reference on your behalf. Please note letters will only be 
accessible to the search committee.

Inquiries may be addressed to:

David Craig, Search Chair
Biology Department
[email protected].

Open until finalists are selected. For full consideration, all application 
materials should be received by March 30, 2014. 

If you need assistance applying for this position please contact Human 
Resources, [email protected] or 503.370.6210


Willamette University, founded in 1842, is the oldest institution of higher 
education in the Far West. Willamette University is a selective residential 
liberal arts college in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Situated in 
Oregon’s capital city, Willamette includes the College of Liberal Arts 
(approximately 2000 students), and graduate programs in Law and Management. The 
academic year is divided into two semesters, beginning in late August and 
ending in May. The academic undergraduate profile is competitive, with a GPA of 
3.75 and average composite SAT scores of 1850. Recent students have received 
prestigious NSF, Watson, Truman, Fulbright, and Goldwater fellowships. 

Salem is located in the center of the Willamette Valley, approximately an 
hour’s drive from the Pacific Coast, the Cascade Mountains, and the cities of 
Portland and Eugene. To learn more about Willamette University, please visit 
http://www.willamette.edu. 

Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and 
rewarding communities, Willamette University is committed to recruiting and 
retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek candidates, 
particularly those from historically under-represented groups, whose work 
furthers diversity and who bring to campus varied experiences, perspectives and 
backgrounds.


Christopher Irwin Smith
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Biology
Willamette University
Salem, OR 97301
ph: 503-370-6181
fax: 503-375-5425

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Lab Website:
http://www.willamette.edu/~csmith/ChrisSmith.htm

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