Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life and disability insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with match

Tuition remission for dependents

Employee tuition waiver

Employee Assistance Program

Relocation stipend

Job summary

Whitman College invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics. The successful candidate will join the Biology Department and BBMB Program, teaching five courses annually, mentoring students, and developing an undergraduate research program beginning August 2027. A Ph.D.

is required at appointment start. Review of applications begins September 21, 2026. Salary range is $71,000–$78,000 per year, with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required at the start of the appointment.
• Tenure-track position starting August 2027.
• Five-course annual teaching load plus mentoring and undergraduate research supervision.

Responsibilities

• Teach Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Introductory Biology courses.
• Mentor students on senior theses and undergraduate projects.
• Develop a research program involving undergraduates, collaborating with BBMB and BBAC.
• Contribute to general education requirements and participate in faculty governance.

Job description

Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics

Location: Walla Walla, WA

Open Date: Aug 04, 2026

Deadline:

Description

Located in the vibrant community of Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving roughly 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top undergraduate, liberal arts colleges in the country.

The Department of Biology and the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMB) Program seek applicants with expertise in molecular genetics for a joint tenure-track position beginning August 2027 at the rank of assistant professor. Applicants must have a Ph.D. at the start of the appointment.

The standard annual teaching load is five courses. This will typically include some combination of lecture and/or lab courses in Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Introductory Biology; mentoring students as they prepare senior theses; an elective course in your specialty area for students across Biology, BBMB, and the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Program (BBAC); and courses that contribute to the college’s general education requirements. The Biology Department is excited about our new, collaboratively designed introductory series aimed at engaging and supporting our diverse and enthusiastic pool of prospective life science majors. We are committed to integrating authentic research experiences into the undergraduate curriculum, so are seeking candidates who will develop a research program to be carried out by undergraduates in Biology, BBMB, and BBAC. The successful candidate would join a vibrant research community, with access to a suite of shared instrumentation, highly collaborative colleagues, and strong institutional support for undergraduate research.

The College provides a generous pre-tenure sabbatical program and professional development support for both research and teaching. The successful candidate will demonstrate potential to sustain an active scholarly or creative research agenda and to participate in faculty governance, mentorship, or other forms of service in ways that fit their interests and talents.

Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community that values diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. In the cover letter, candidates should describe their interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non‑majors, at all levels of instruction. In doing so, candidates should address how their classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment.

Review of applications will begin September 21, 2026.

Salary Range: $71,000 - $78,000

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• Tuition Remission - Dependent Children, after eligibility requirements
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation stipend for moving expenses based on the distance of relocation

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment.

Whitman College is an EEO employer. The college shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.