Position:  Assistant/Associate/Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies 

Department:  Niswander Department of Biology 

Campus:   North Manchester 

Target Hire Date: April 2024 

Job Responsibilities and Duties:    

The environmental studies program at Manchester University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant or associate professor of environmental studies position to begin in fall 2024. This position directs the environmental studies program and involves teaching courses such as introduction to environmental studies, interpretation of natural history, environmental law, geographic information systems (GIS), and internship in environmental studies. 

Established in 1971, Manchester University’s environmental studies program is committed to providing experiential, community-building learning opportunities and academic preparation to better understand responsible environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resiliency. Manchester’s environmental studies program has strong collaborative partnerships with the University’s peace studies program and with local community groups.

This position reports to the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Full review of applications will begin in February 2024.

Essential Job Functions:    

• Teaching, generally twenty-four semester hours per academic year. 
• Maintain professional effectiveness, which include but are not limited to, high quality of scholarship; intellectual integrity; professional currency; cooperation of all phases of the academic program; openness to learn about and adopt improved methods of teaching; and above all, a vital interest in student learning. 
• Meeting assigned classes at the scheduled locations and for the scheduled durations. 
• Directing and attending non-class activities, as appropriate 
• Participating in faculty governance, including attending meetings—full faculty, division, department, and committee—and fulfilling attendant responsibilities. 
• Developing course syllabi. 
• Administering examinations and assessing student learning. 
• Working in a professional, collegial and team-oriented manner with the College community. 
• Maintaining compliance with policies and procedures in the Faculty Manual. 

Secondary Job Functions 

• Supporting students’ personal and professional development. 
• Designing new courses, as appropriate. 
• Actively participating in student recruitment. 
• Academic Advising. 
• Maintaining office hours, as appropriate. 

Qualifications:   

• A commitment to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, and staff. 
• PhD or ABD required with training in environmental studies/science or related field. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental policy and planning, environmental politics, natural history, climate science, energy science, limnology, ornithology, and interdisciplinary work 
• Knowledge and experience sufficient to enable the candidate to effectively teach courses as assigned in Biology and Environmental studies including introductory courses and labs for majors and non-majors, and specialized courses within various fields of concentration (environmental studies, natural history, policy, technical studies). 
• Strong interest in and ability to generate funding to support experiential education within the Environmental Studies program. 
• Strong interest in further developing the interdisciplinary emphasis in the environmental studies program to include areas such as sustainability, policy, and environmental philosophy. 
• Strong interest in and ability to supervise undergraduate research. 
• Evidence of successful undergraduate teaching and mentoring. 
• Effective presentation skills. 
• Effective organizational and administrative skills. 
• Ability to deliver course content and to assist students in understanding course content. 
• Ability to evaluate student writing and to provide effective feedback. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the public. 
• Ability to adapt to changing teaching and learning environments and content-delivery methods. 
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues, in the best interests of the students. 
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and respond to students’ legitimate needs in a timely manner. 
• Ability and willingness to work with students of all skill levels and academic backgrounds. 
• Ability and willingness to perform clerical work for oneself, as necessary. 
• Basic leadership, budgetary and supervisory skills. 
• Proficient in spoken and written English. 
• Basic computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, internet use, and learning management systems. 
• Use of biological laboratory and field equipment.