DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

TRINITY UNIVERSITY

Biology Laboratory Instructor

 

Trinity University Biology Department seeks a broadly-trained biologist to coordinate, prepare, and participate in teaching our introductory biology laboratories.  The successful applicant will also work closely with faculty to develop new project-based laboratories that accompany our innovative introductory course sequence.  Minimal qualifications include a M.S.  This is a full time contract staff position. Applicants should send curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy and experience, and contact information for three references to Prof. David O. Ribble, Chair, Department of Biology, Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212, or email materials to dribble@trinity.edu.  More information on the position can be found at www.trinity.edu/departments/biology/.  Review of candidates will begin immediately as this position could start 1 June 2008.   Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.  Trinity University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION AND CRITERIA

 

This is a 12-month full time contract staff position, renewable annually, with benefits as indicated at http://www.trinity.edu/departments/fiscal_affairs/fapolicy/index.htm.

 

As stated in the Trinity University Faculty and Contract Staff Handbook, Instructors are defined as follows:   A person appointed to this rank shall have earned at least the Master’s degree in the area to which he/she is appointed or shall have achieved the equivalent in graduate education, such as persons who have completed all doctoral work except the dissertation.  The Department expects this Instructor to participate in departmental discussions except those involving hiring, tenure, and promotion decisions.

 

Responsibilities

 

The principal responsibilities of this position are the following:

 

  • Prepare the introductory Biology laboratories in the fall (currently Biology 1111, Introductory Biology Laboratory) and spring (currently Biology 1212, Methods for Biological Problem Solving) semesters.  The fall laboratory is a large enrollment sequence with as many as 180 students in 8 sections; the spring laboratory can have as many as 120 students in 7 sections.  Preparation of these teaching laboratories includes maintaining and managing stock material, along with associated equipment and facilities.

 

  • Coordinate and lead faculty, student workers, and peer tutors that will be helping teach the introductory biology sequence.

 

  • Teach 3 laboratory sections each semester, some of which are offered in the evenings.  Attend the lecture sessions that accompany the laboratories.

 

  • Working with faculty, build upon the existing laboratories and expand project-based laboratories that accompany the Department of Biology’s introductory course sequence.  The current courses (Integrative Biology I and II, introduced in 2005) teach both concepts and content through issue-based modules that integrate across biological levels.   

 

These are the principal and most important responsibilities for the Biology Laboratory Instructor.  Other opportunities for teaching and scholarship may be available depending upon the candidate’s abilities to perform these necessary duties.

 

Professional Development

 

The Biology Laboratory Instructor will be fully supported by the Department of Biology which could include opportunities for professional development at conferences and workshops dealing with project-based college-level instruction.   

 

 

Terms of Employment

 

All established Trinity University policies, guidelines and responsibilities that apply to Instructor and Full-time Contract Staff will be applicable.  This is a renewable12-month full time contract position appointment with vacation and sick leave as outlined at 

http://www.trinity.edu/departments/fiscal_affairs/fapolicy/personnel/vacsklv.htm#TOP.