The University of Northern Iowa’s Department of Biology seeks applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Biology Education, starting August 2021. Responsibilities for this position include teaching introductory level courses in biology for majors and/or non-majors and in science education including secondary science teaching methods, inquiry and investigation-based life science for elementary education majors, and graduate level science education. The successful candidate will be expected to advise biology teaching majors and science education master’s students; and develop an active research program in biology education or science education that engages undergraduates and master’s students.
The Department of Biology (https://biology.uni.edu) is home to about 500 biology majors, including students majoring in biology teaching. With 24 tenured and tenure-track faculty and three instructors, the department includes comprehensive disciplinary expertise and a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate (M.S.) research.
Science Education is an interdisciplinary unit consisting of 8 faculty within the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences plus 3 from the College of Education. Science Education is responsible for secondary science teaching methods courses, liberal arts core science courses for elementary education majors, courses in the basic science minor for elementary education majors, plus graduate courses. In addition to the basic science minor and a stem education minor, Science Education has two interdisciplinary secondary science-teaching majors as well as a robust M.A. program. See http://www.science-ed.uni.edu for more information.
The University of Northern Iowa provides a high-quality education, purposefully guiding students to find and develop their strengths and prepare them for success after college. We have a bold vision that we will be a diverse and inclusive campus community that provides an engaged education empowering students to lead locally and globally. As we advance our work to become an equity-oriented institution and realize our vision, we seek to elevate the diversity of our faculty across disciplines, departments, and colleges and to build an inclusive teaching and learning environment. Equity vision hires will be supported by faculty on campus who are working to reimagine our curriculum and pedagogy and to build equitable practices for tenure and promotion; policy review, development and implementation; and student retention, persistence, and success. They will be welcomed to join these efforts.
Building on its historic excellence in teacher education, the university has developed outstanding programs in business, natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, and social and behavioral sciences with advanced degrees available in many programs. The University’s attractive size, approximately 10,000 students, allows UNI to offer faculty, facilities, and academic choices characteristic of a much larger university while retaining a friendly, small-college atmosphere on a park-like campus. UNI has been recognized for the past 18 years as one of the "Best Midwest Universities" by U.S. News & World Report. Located in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, the campus is comprised of more than 40 buildings on 940 acres. For more information, visit www.uni.edu.
The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in biology education or science education. ABDs will be considered with evidence of degree completion by August 2021. Minimum of 15 semester hours of graduate level coursework in biology; demonstrated commitment to excellence as a classroom teacher; demonstrated written and oral communication skills; evidence of potential for productive research; and a desire to work with pre- and in-service science teachers required.
Preference will be given to candidates with teaching experience at the K-12 level and experience with pedagogy for diverse learners.
Applications received by February 15, 2021 will receive full consideration. To apply, visit http://jobs.uni.edu/. Inquiries may be sent to James Demastes at 319-273-2022 or jim.de...@uni.edu. Letters of recommendation may be requested by the search committee at a later time. Pre-employment background checks required.