Assistant Professor of Optometry

Western University of Health Sciences; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Optometry to teach didactic courses, pre-clinical labs, and participate in clinical education. The role emphasizes scholarly activity, patient care, and student mentorship.

Applicants should hold a Doctor of Optometry or related PhD, be eligible for California licensure within 3 months, and have 1–3 years of teaching or clinical experience. Typical hours are 8am–5pm with some evenings.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of emphasis within optometric scope and its clinical application.
• Ability to review scientific literature related to the emphasis area.
• Capability to lecture on topics related to the emphasis area.
• Ability to publish scholarly papers in relevant areas.
• Provide clinical care and supervise students/residents.
• Strong communication with diverse individuals.

Responsibilities

• Teach in didactic lectures, labs, and clinical settings.
• Support students' knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical skills.
• Publish articles and present scholarly work.
• Conduct research aligned with expertise and pursue funding.
• Serve on college/university committees and related groups.

Skills

Special emphasis knowledge

Literature review

Lecture delivery

Scholarly publishing

Clinical care & education

Diversity communication

Humanism in health care

Education

Doctor of Optometry Degree or PhD

California licensure within 3 months

Job description

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Position Title

Assistant Professor of Optometry

Position Control Number

999996

Type of Position

Faculty

Position Status

Full-time

Campus

Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

Position Location

California

Department

2001-College of Optometry

Job Summary

To teach in didactic courses, pre-clinical laboratories, and participate in clinical education programs, specific duties to be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of special emphasis within optometric scope of practice and its application to clinical optometry.
• Skilled in reviewing and understanding scientific literature related to area of special emphasis
• Able to lecture on topics of expertise related to area of special emphasis.
• Able to publish scholarly papers on topics of expertise, especially related to area of special emphasis.
• Able to provide clinical care to patients and clinical education to students and residents.
• Able to interact and communicate in an effective manner with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including students, staff, faculty, administration and outside constituents.
• Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Education – Doctor of Optometry Degree or PhD in discipline relatable to special emphasis
• License to practice in California or the ability to obtain California licensure within 3 months of employment (if holding an OD degree)

Experience

• 1-3 years’ experience in didactic education, and/or clinical practice, and/or completion of an accredited optometric residency program, and/or any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional credentials, such as PhD or other doctoral degree, master’s degree, or LPSE certification is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching

• Teach in various learning environments including didactic lecture, laboratory, and clinical settings. Support students in developing the knowledge base, critical thinking, and/or clinical skills necessary for success in clinical patient practice and licensure examinations.

Scholarly Activity

• Create and disseminate new information by publishing articles, presenting posters, and/or peer-reviewed scientific presentations of relevance to the profession of optometry and optometric education. Seek outside funding support for a variety of scholarly projects.

Research

• Engage in research aligned with areas of expertise, with the goal of securing external funding and advancing a sustainable research agenda.

Service

• Serve on various committees within the College of Optometry, the University, the profession of optometry, and/or other professional organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned. The University/College reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Work Schedule

• Exempt Position – Typical working hours are 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday.
• Some nights and weekends required.

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally

• Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
• Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
• Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
• As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
• WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
• We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

• Minimum: $100,000.00 Annually
• Maximum: $115,000.00 Annually

Physical Demands

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to operate a PC and grasp laboratory objects for use in the office, lab or clinic setting, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, and reach with hands and arms, and occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

Describe Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties are normally performed in a typical clinical setting, laboratory, or environmentally controlled interior healthcare setting. The work environment may involve exposure to potentially dangerous materials, e.g., blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, toxic substances, and risk of electric shock. Clinical environments require compliance with safety precautions and may include the use of certain personal protective safety equipment.

The noise level in this setting is usually moderate due to telephone calls, office/exam equipment, patient/student interactions, and normal traffic.

Posting Information

Posting Number

F00925

Posting Date

09/24/2026

Close Date

09/24/2027

Open Until Filled

Yes

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Additional Applicant Document
• Required License/Certification

Supplemental Questions

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Please provide the name of the website, individual, or organization.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you a current employee at Western University of Health Sciences?
  • Yes
  • No

Contact Information

309 E. Second St.
Pomona, CA 91766-1854
[phone]

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