Visiting Assistant Professor - Biology

Trinity Univesity; Waxahachie (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity University invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) in the Biology Department to begin January 2027. The VAP will teach Ecology and run laboratory sections within the introductory biology core sequence.

The appointment spans Spring 2027 and Fall 2027, with responsibilities including delivering lectures, teaching lab sections, grading, and maintaining office hours, while making appropriate student accommodations per policy.

Qualifications

• PhD in biological sciences required.
• PhD in ecology or evolution preferred.
• Undergraduate teaching experience preferred.
• Ability to design assignments and deliver lectures.

Responsibilities

• Teach ecology with two lab sections in Spring 2027.
• Teach introductory laboratory sections in Fall 2027.
• Deliver lectures, teach labs, assign grades, and maintain office hours.
• Adhere to instructional policies in Faculty Handbook and accommodate students as needed.
• Cover six courses across Spring and Fall terms.

Skills

Lecture delivery

Assignment design

Student engagement

Liberal arts commitment

Education

PhD in biological sciences

PhD in ecology or evolution

Job description

Job Family Group:

Faculty

Time Type:

Full time

Department/Office:

Biology

Exemption Status:

Exempt

Job Description:

Trinity University seeks applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) in the Department of Biology beginning in January 2027. The VAP will teach courses in Ecology and laboratory sections in the introductory biology core sequence.

BACKGROUND

Trinity University is a secular, independent, private institution, founded in 1869. Trinity offers high-quality science, liberal arts, and pre-professional programs as represented by the four schools (STEM, Arts & Humanities, Social Science and Civic Engagement, and Business) to approximately 2,500 undergraduate students from the U.S. and more than 45 countries. The attractive campus overlooks downtown San Antonio, a city rich in heritage and ethnic diversity. Additional information can be found on the Resource Guide to Trinity & San Antonio.

The Department of Biology is one of eight departments in the D. R. Semmes School of Science, endowed with a gift of $26 million that in part supports student research and faculty development. The D. R. Semmes School of Science is housed in the Center for the Sciences and Innovation, an innovative and collaborative hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching.

The Department of Biology (https://trinity.edu/biology) is composed of 16 faculty with diverse research interests and serves majors in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, Global Public Health and Neuroscience.

Both the Department of Biology and the University as a whole value and safeguard academic freedom for faculty members in their teaching and scholarship. Trinity is guided by a set of core values and is committed to implementing practices in pursuit of an inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff to feel welcomed and engaged in a community of learning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The VAP will teach an ecology course with two lab sections spring 2027 and introductory laboratory lab sections Fall 2027. The VAP will be responsible for delivering lectures, teaching lab sections, assigning grades, maintaining office hours, adherence to instructional policies as described in the Faculty Handbook, and making student accommodations as determined by the Office of Student Accessibility Services (the equivalent of six courses over Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 terms).

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

The position will be a two-semester appointment, beginning in the spring semester, January 2027, and continuing through the Fall 2027 semester.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Required: PhD in some area of biological sciences

Preferred: Preference will be given to candidates with a PhD in some area of ecology or evolution

EXPERIENCE

Preferred: Previous teaching experience at the undergraduate level

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Mastery of the relevant subject matter
• Ability to deliver engaging lectures, discussions, or in-class activities
• Ability to design rigorous and meaningful assignments
• Commitment to the liberal arts mission of Trinity University

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is completed in the office, classroom and in teaching laboratory spaces. Must be able to move about freely. Willingness to travel on behalf of Trinity University. Physical demands are light; all lifting is less than 50 pounds.

ATTENDANCE

Maintaining and satisfying minimum attendance requirements is an essential function of this position. This job classification may not include “light duty” work or allow unpredictable or unrestricted absences. On-site attendance required.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sandra Miller [e-mail]

Frank Healy [e-mail]