Assistant/Associate Professor, Anatomy Basic Sciences

Samuel Merritt; Oakland, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation

Holidays and sick leave

Job summary

Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA seeks an Assistant Professor in Basic Science with a focus on human anatomy. The role may include neuroscience or physiology teaching. The position is onsite at the Oakland campus, with options for online lectures and labs.

Minimum qualifications include a PhD in Anatomy or related field and at least two years of anatomy teaching, including gross dissection. Opportunities for scholarship and service are expected for promotion.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Anatomy or closely related discipline is required.
• At least two years of teaching human gross anatomy experience.
• Dissection teaching experience preferred; graduate level experience preferred.
• Qualified to teach Neuroanatomy or Physiology at graduate level preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in human anatomy; provide lecture and lab instruction.
• Align curricula with department and university goals.
• Design differentiated learning goals and activities for varied cohorts.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and departments to support student success.
• Engage in scholarship and service to qualify for promotion.

Skills

Teaching anatomy

Online instruction

Curriculum alignment

Mentoring students

Interprofessional collaboration

Education

PhD in Anatomy or related field

MS considered with teaching experience

Job description

Job Description Summary: The Basic Sciences Department provides excellent instructors for the basic science courses required in our programs. The Assistant Professor in Basic Science is expected to excel at teaching specific graduate and undergraduate courses in their area of expertise. This annual position focusses on human anatomy, however, candidates with expertise in either neuroscience or physiology will be preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to student learning, professional growth, and advancement.
• Demonstrate academic competence in gross anatomy and work with other faculty, staff, and departments to align curricula as needed.
• Maintain a growth mindset toward student learning and teaching practice; remain flexible in adapting course content for different cohorts.
• Demonstrate a high degree of self-efficacy, accountability for learner outcomes and advocacy for student success.
• Collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholder groups within the University to increase student performance.
• Design and facilitate differentiated and personalized learning goals and activities that follow a coherent sequence, are aligned to instructional goals, and engage students in high-level cognitive learning.
• Provide both lecture-based and laboratory-based instruction in human anatomy as well as physiology and/ or neuroscience.
• Be open to teaching both in person and online lectures and laboratories.
• Perform service to the department by participating in departmental meetings.
• Perform service to the University by joining committees, attending seminars, meeting, and trainings.
• Perform scholarship at the level necessary for promotion to the next rank.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: Applicant must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DPM, Ed.D, or similar) in either Anatomy or a closely related discipline. Clinical doctors may also apply. Candidates with an M.S. degree may be considered based on teaching experience. At least two years of experience teaching human gross anatomy; graduate level experience is preferred. At least two years of experience teaching human gross anatomy dissection; graduate level experience is preferred. Applicants who are also qualified to teach either Neuroanatomy or Physiology at the graduate are preferred.

Additional Job Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; ability to carry, push, pull, kneel, and stoop.
• Must be able to move about campus to accomplish instructional and service tasks.
• Must be able to teach in person at our Oakland campus and/or online live.
• Ability to read, write, compose, and edit complex documents.
• Ability to do deskwork/computer work for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to express ideas clearly through verbal and written communication.
• Ability to receive and interpret detailed information through verbal and written communication.
• Must be willing to mentor students.

Allocation of Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned. Time allocated may change.

Time Allocation

• Teaching responsibilities (Approx. 80%)
• Service (Approx. 10%)
• Scholarship (Approx. 10%)

Work Environment

Office Location: Oakland Campus – Onsite. This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement. Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person, video and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Employee Status

Regular Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt) Time Type: Full time Job Shift: Pay Range: $108k to $120k depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Organization

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences, SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to make impactful contributions to health and wellness. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full potential. Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

Our Mission

We educate students to become highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals who positively transform the experience of care in diverse communities.

Our Vision

Samuel Merritt University will become nationally recognized as a premier, multi-specialty health sciences institution. Expert faculty and staff will shape an inclusive learning environment where all students experience best teaching practices and state-of-the-art learning approaches. The University will select and support students who will flourish in the rigorous academic programs, learn to practice truly, and pass licensure or certifications examinations on their first attempt.

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

We see faculty and students as partners in the teaching and learning process. Our programs, curricula, and courses are designed to encourage active, experiential learning as well as collegial, scholarly, and effective communications. We believe that clinical and practical applications, including interprofessional education, provide a critical foundation for learning in the health professions. SMU graduates use sound reasoning, evidence-based care, and clinical expertise to respond to the needs of the people they serve.

Community and Diversity

We are committed to training students in the importance of social determinants of health and how to care for patients from diverse backgrounds with integrity and compassion.

Our Values

• A learning environment where we challenge ourselves and our students to think critically, seek mastery, and act compassionately.
• A collegial environment where we are fair, respectful, and behave with integrity.
• A collaborative environment where we partner with one another and with others in the community.
• An innovative environment where we take reasoned risks and move nimbly.
• A results-oriented environment where we provide and expect exceptional performance and service.

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment. Details can be found on our website at: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/employee-polygraph-protection-act