Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) - Biology

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Whitewater (WI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in Biology to join a vibrant, student-centered department. The position carries a 24-credit annual teaching load focused on high-impact instructional practices, student success, research, and professional service.

The successful candidate will teach Human Anatomy and Physiology and related courses, with a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Biology or a related discipline by start date.
• ABD candidates may apply but must complete degree by January 2028 if not finished by start date.
• Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching and a record of scholarly achievement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 24 credits of instruction per academic year in Biology.
• Maintain at least five office hours for students each week during the academic year.
• Contribute to curriculum development and program assessment.
• Mentor undergraduate students in research and scholarly activities.

Skills

University-level teaching

Canvas experience

Scholarly achievement

Education

Ph.D. in Biology or related discipline

Job description

If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) -Biology

Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Duties:

Attention:

The Department of Biology in the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks an Assistant Professor.

Job Summary:

The Department of Biology at UW-Whitewater seeks a dedicated educator, scholar, and colleague to join our faculty. This position carries a 24-credit annual teaching load with an emphasis on high-impact instructional practices, student success, research, and professional service. The successful candidate will be able to teach Human Anatomy and Physiology and other related courses, as part of the Biology program. Candidates with additional academic background in racial discrimination, bias, and/or inequality in medicine are especially invited to apply. The approved standards for promotion and tenure at the time of initial contract are the standards that will be used for promotion and tenure. If there are revisions to department or college standards, a faculty member can request (in writing to the department chair) to have the revised standards applied.

Teaching & Instructional Expectations:

• Course Load: Deliver 24 credits of instruction peracademic year in Biology. ( UW-Whitewater Teaching Responsibilities andWorkload Policy )
• Office Hours for Students: Maintain at least five officehours for students each week during the academic year (departmentsand/or colleges may have additional requirements). These officehours for students should be consistent to provide accessiblestudent support and academic advising/mentoring. For faculty whoteach a portion or all courses online, the modality of the officehours for students should be proportionate to the modality of thecourses taught unless the department or college has additionalrequirements.
• Advising/mentoring: Use Navigate for alladvising/mentoring notes.
• Communication: Maintain professional and timelyresponsiveness to student, colleague, and administratorinquiries via Navigate, Canvas, email and telephone, generallywithin 24–48 business hours while on contract. When off contract,use the out of office feature in Outlook to let individuals knowwho to contact in your absence.
• Administrative Compliance: Ensure the punctual submission of course syllabi at the start of each term, ensuring they meet all University and system-wide requirements (UWW Syllabi Reqs ).
• Contribute to curriculum development.
• Accessibility: Select and develop instructionalmaterials that are Title II (ADA) compliant. All digitalcourse content, textbooks, and media must be accessible to studentswith disabilities to ensure an equitable learningenvironment.

Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity

• Maintain an active scholarly agenda that contributes to thefield of Biology, with a preference for research related to humanhealth.
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications,conference presentations, or professional exhibitions perdepartment and college standards.
• Seek opportunities to involve undergraduate or graduatestudents in research initiatives.

Service & Engagement:

• Participate in departmental, college, and university-levelmeetings and committee work.
• Participate in professional and public service.
• Contribute to program assessment and development.
• Engage in professional outreach and service that aligns withthe University Mission Statement and the Wisconsin Idea .
• Participate in at least one graduation ceremony each academicyear.

Workplace Expectations:

• Please see the link below regarding the workplace expectations at UW-Whitewater. We believe that by adhering to theseexpectations, we develop a university community in which allstudents, staff and faculty feel valued and supported.
  • UWW Workplace Expectations

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

Biology - College of Letters and Sciences

The Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater isa vibrant, student-centered community dedicated to excellence inteaching, innovative research, and impactful service. Housed in the modern laboratories of Upham Hall, the department featuresstate-of-the-art research instrumentation, active campusgreenhouses, and an extensive Natural History SpecimenCollection.

We offer robust Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programswith diverse, specialized emphases including Cell/Physiology,Ecology/Evolution/Behavior, Pre-Biomedical, and Marine &Freshwater Ecology. Our curriculum emphasizes high-impactpractices, blending rigorous classroom instruction with extensivefieldwork and experiential learning.

Central to our mission is a nationally recognized UndergraduateResearch Program. Our faculty maintain active, visible researchagendas, frequently securing internal and external funding tomentor undergraduates on collaborative projects. This deepcommitment to student success is reflected in our graduates'outstanding outcomes, with 100% of surveyed alumni employed orpursuing advanced degrees within a year of graduation. We seek acolleague who will contribute to this rich tradition of teachingexcellence, mentorship, and scholarly achievement.

More information about the department can be found on our website (https://www.uww.edu/cls/departments/biology ).

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of$60,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, relatedexperience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learnmore about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure .

Required Qualifications:

Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.,MFA, or equivalent) in Biology or arelated discipline by the time of appointment. ABD candidates mayapply but must have their degree completed by the contract startdate in August 2027; if not, they will be hired on a one-yearcontract with the understanding that their degree will be completedbefore January 2028 in advance of their first scheduledreview.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching, experiencewith Canvas, and a record of scholarly achievement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant infollowing applicable safety rules and regulations includingnecessary training and drills.

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you areunable to complete the application online due to a disability orsystem problem, please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail].

For questions regarding this position, please contact: Dr. Heather Pelzel, Biology Department Chair, [e-mail]

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by October 15th, 2026, are ensuredfull consideration. Applications received after that date may begiven consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Themost qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located insoutheastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students thanneighboring regional comprehensives in the University of WisconsinSystem. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devotedto the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main andRock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate todoctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability,inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximatelyone-third first-generation students and boasts strength in manyareas, especially business and education. The campus and communityembrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s artsand nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championshipathletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percentof undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Studentswith Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee,Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural andcommercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near bothLake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerousvisitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant collegecommunity near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering arearesidents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campusis located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the RockRiver and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campusUniversities of Wisconsin ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicatein writing that their identity should be kept confidential. Inresponse to a public records request, the University will notreveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality inwriting, except that the identity of the successful final candidatewill be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin SystemCriminal Background Check Policy and Universities of WisconsinAdministrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer ofemployment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currentlyunder investigation for, or left employment during an activeinvestigation in which they were accused of sexual violence orsexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules andregulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crimestatistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like apaper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We arecommitted to building a workforce that represents a variety ofbackgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.