Assistant/Associate Professor, in Biochemistry and Cell & Molecular Biology

Samuel Merritt University; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Mental health resources

Education reimbursement

Paid vacation

Holiday leave

Volunteer day

Job summary

Samuel Merritt University in Oakland seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor to teach graduate-level biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology and cell biology. The role mixes lecture and laboratory instruction, with responsibilities across teaching, service, and scholarship in a dynamic health sciences program.

Ideal candidates hold an advanced degree and have graduate teaching experience, including online delivery and lab-based pedagogy.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in biochemistry, molecular biology or related field.
• Graduate-level teaching experience preferred.
• Experience teaching microbiology and biochemistry in both lecture and lab, in-person and online.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate-level biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology and molecular biology.
• Provide both in-person and online lectures and lab instruction.
• Collaborate with other faculty and departments.
• Mentor students and participate in committee activities.
• Engage in scholarship and service to the department and university.

Skills

Graduate-level teaching

Biochemistry

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Microbiology

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in biochemistry or related field

Tools

Microscopy

Digital resources for analysis

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Assistant or Associate Professor designation in the MBS Department will depend on level of teaching, service, and scholarship experience. They will be expected to excel at teaching graduate-level courses in their area of expertise. This annual position will focus on lecture and laboratory instruction in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Microbiology.

Duties and Responsibilities

The individual must be able to teach graduate-level biochemistry, microbiology and cell biology and molecular biology courses, integrating both conceptual knowledge and applied learning.

• Contribute to student learning, professional growth, and advancement.
• Demonstrate academic competence in biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and molecular biology.
• Collaborate with other faculty and departments.
• Maintain a growth mindset toward student learning and teaching practice; remain flexible in adapting course content for different MBS learner cohorts as needed.
• 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 enhance student performance.
• Invest in learners' well-being, health, and safety - physically, socially, and emotionally.
• Design and facilitate differentiated and personalized learning goals and activities that follow a coherent sequence, align to instructional goals, and engage students in advanced-level cognitive learning.
• Provide both in person and online lecture-based and laboratory-based instruction in microbiology.
• Provide both in person and online lecture-based instruction in biochemistry.
• Provide both in person and online lecture-based instruction in molecular courses as needed.
• Be able to teaching both in person at our Oakland campus 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, meetings, and trainings.
• Perform scholarship at the level necessary for promotion to the next rank.
• Must be willing to mentor students.

Allocation of Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned. Time allocated may change. Time allocated Teaching responsibilities Approx. 80% Service Approx. 10% Scholarship Approx. 10%.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience: Applicant must hold an advanced degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in biochemistry, molecular biology or a closely related discipline and have demonstrated expertise in teaching these subjects at a graduate and/or professional level.
• Experience with teaching at a higher academic institution; graduate-level teaching experience strongly preferred.
• Experience teaching microbiology and biochemistry in both lecture and laboratory formats (in-person and online) preferred.
• This includes experience with laboratory preparation, microscopy, slide preparation/interpretation, and digital resources for analysis.

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

• 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.
• 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.

Employee Status

Regular Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt).

Contract / Working Hours

Full time.

Pay Range

The anticipated annual salary range for this exempt position is $100,000 - $120,000. The actual salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and geographic location, as applicable.

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 by 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.

Our 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

• Hands-on, experiential learning
• Promotion of diversity and inclusion
• Community-service outreach, locally and globally
• 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

Details can be found on our website at: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/employee-polygraph-protection-act