Assistant / Associate Teaching Professor in Marine BIology

The University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and the School of Oceanography invite applications for a full-time (100% FTE), 9-month, non-tenured faculty position at the level of Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor in the broad field of marine sciences. Primary teaching responsibilities will be in the Marine Biology program at the University of Washington field station, Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL). The program offers a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) in Marine Biology housed within the College of the Environment.

The Marine Biology degree is a collaboration between the School of Oceanography and the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, in partnership with the Friday Harbor Laboratories. This collaborative relationship brings together faculty representing multiple dimensions of Marine Biology in a collegial and collaborative culture with many teaching and curriculum development opportunities.  Students choose this program to better understand marine ecosystems and their importance to society. The program has grown rapidly since it was established in 2018 and now has over 370 majors.

The position will be based at Friday Harbor Laboratories for daily, in-person instruction. FHL offers rich immersive learning in coastal ecology, oceanography, marine biology, and marine conservation. FHL is about four hours’ travel north of the Seattle campus on the ferry-accessible San Juan Island. The site has excellent access to a variety of marine ecosystems and provides facilities for field and laboratory research and experiential student learning. The position offers a unique opportunity for leadership in the development of an innovative, hands-on, field-based curriculum to meet the growing needs of marine science majors.

The anticipated start date of the position is September 16, 2023.  The Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor will be hired on renewable multi-year appointments with a 9-month service period (September 16 through June 15) that may allow for additional opportunities to teach or pursue research or other scholarly activities during the summer. The initial appointment will be for three years with a renewal decision at the end of year two. Although this position is not tenure-eligible, it includes faculty voting rights and a pathway for career advancement and promotion in rank. The base salary range for this position will be $8,000 to $11,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include a moving allowance, a relocation incentive, and/or limited commitment of summer salary in the first year.

All UW faculty engage in teaching, scholarship, and service. Our Teaching Professors are long-term educational professionals who combine instructional excellence with a variety of leadership, community building, outreach, advancement of pedagogy, and scholarship. The successful applicant will: 

1. Teach 4 – 6 courses per year (10-week quarter system) across all levels in the Marine Biology program, based in-person at FHL. Specific teaching responsibilities will take into account the candidate’s expertise and curricular needs and may include:

Marine science courses that serve core needs in the Marine Biology program and take advantage of the unique educational opportunities at FHL.  Research-based courses aimed at upper division undergraduates in the Marine Biology major that promote independent investigation, interpretation, and communication. 2. Provide leadership in the direction of the FHL academic-year undergraduate curriculum, aimed at serving Marine Biology and other majors at the University of Washington; serve as the principal liaison between the FHL and main campus to provide opportunities for fulfilling Marine Biology major requirements; and support College of the Environment efforts to promote the growth of the teaching program at FHL. 

3. Advance educational scholarship in the teaching program with emphasis on innovative pedagogy and attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This may include contributing to the growing community of pedagogical researchers within the College. 

4. Play an active role in the FHL, MB, College, and University community, for example, by engaging in shared governance, serving on key committees, contributing to the implementation of evidence-based practices throughout the instructional program and the training and mentoring of teaching assistants.

Positive factors for consideration include but are not limited to candidates with demonstrated experience in marine science field research, a demonstrated record of curriculum design at the undergraduate level, use of pedagogical innovation, mentoring of undergraduates, and/or demonstrated teaching effectiveness in upper division undergraduate courses

Our Schools strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds, who bring a range of perspectives and life experiences, are welcomed, heard, and supported. We acknowledge that if the marine sciences do not adequately reflect the diversity of national and local populations, then marine science, policy and management are much less likely to reflect the knowledge, interest, and will of stakeholder. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute substantially to our efforts. We encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.