Assistant Professor (Animal Ecology or Behavior)Biology

Prerequisites

RequiredQualifications: 

• PhD in Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior (or a related field); we will consider candidates who have achieved ABD status and who will complete their degree by September 30, 2026
• Professional skills, experience and/or plans to engage in activities that would enhance campus access and belonging efforts in research, advising/mentoring, and teaching
• Evidence of the ability to teach undergraduate classes with labs and field-based opportunities in courses related to those described under the “Things you will do” section
• Demonstrated capacity to establish an independent research program at Gustavus Adolphus College addressing a question related to animal ecology or animal behavior

PreferredQualifications: 

• Additional biology-related experience as part of a research, teaching, or non-profit/government agency position outside of doctoral education
• Ability to engage students with course content through the emphasis of liberal arts education in the context of real-world challenges
• Evidence of successful mentoring of undergraduate students in research

Things you will do:

Gustavus faculty teach, advise, conduct research, and serve the college and department.

• Teach 24-contact hours each academic year. One course with a lab is typically 7-contact hours. Primary teaching responsibilities will include: Principles of Biology with Lab, Evolution, Ecology and Behavior with Lab, and electives within Biology, such as Animal Behavior, Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Management, Wetland Ecology, Invertebrate Zoology, or Entomology or other courses in the candidate’s area of interest with field-experiences for students. These courses are offered through the Biology Department and support the Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Studies majors. Over time, the successful candidate will plan on extending their teaching to contribute to college-wide programs, such as the Challenge Seminar, or other college initiatives. In their first year, the successful candidate will receive a reduced teaching assignment of 20-contact hours, including a fully-compensated 4-contact hour release.
• Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow. 
• Improve your teaching by joining a teaching circle, participating in workshops, applying for an internal teaching development grant, and engaging in conversations about teaching with colleagues across campus.
• Advance your scholarship by working with undergraduate research assistants, joining a writing retreat, applying for an internal grant, receiving travel funds to present at conferences, receiving help applying for external grants, and making use of our research facilities.
• Develop professional skills by participating in faculty meetings and committees, attending faculty development days, and taking advantage of the College’s membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).

How to apply: 

Visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ and complete the online application. The documents that must be uploaded include the following:

• Letter of application that addresses the required and preferred position qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• A teaching statement (up to 2 pages) that includes your planned and/or ongoing approach to effectively teaching:
  • Undergraduate students.
  • Classroom experiences AND laboratory and/or field experiences.
  • Incorporate course content with liberal arts perspectives to engage students with real-world challenges.
• A statement of a ~5-year research plan (up to 2 pages) including how you plan to mentor and engage students in meaningful research experiences at Gustavus.
• A brief (~1 page) statement in which you describe:
  • How your work in teaching, scholarship, service, and/or advising will enhance student engagement and inclusion in both the classroom and the lab/field.
  • Professional skills, related experience and/or plans to engage in activities that would enhance campus access and belonging efforts.
• Transcripts (scanned copies acceptable)
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks by phone.

For full consideration, applications must be received by September 8, 2025. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

Things you’ll like: 

Based on data from AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CUPA (College and University Professional Association), we offer a competitive starting salary range of $64,000 to $70,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience, training, certifications/licensure, market factors, departmental budgets, and responsibility. In addition, Gustavus provides comprehensive benefits designed to support your personal and financial well-being, including:

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite health services
• Free parking, exercise classes, use of library and athletic facilities
• Paid parental leave (after one year of employment)
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse

Institution Information: Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts colleges serving 2,000 students, where faculty help equip students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota, and within a short drive to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Mankato metro areas. Learn more at https://gustavus.edu/provost/newfaculty/. 

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Department Information: The Biology Department offers diverse academic experiences to undergraduate students as part of a strong liberal arts education. Both the College and the Department are taking evidence-based actions to enhance belonging and support inclusion in classrooms and among our majors and faculty. Each year, about 45 Biology majors graduate, placing us among the largest majors across the College. Our courses are also integral parts of other majors, such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Environmental Studies. Our majors develop breadth through a required four-course core spanning biochemistry to organismal and systems-level processes before taking elective courses in areas of their interests. Both core and elective courses have embedded research opportunities that emphasize quantitative analyses and scientific communication. Our graduates pursue employment, as well as graduate and professional studies in biotechnology, education, environmental, or health-related fields. Departmental faculty are active teacher-scholars who value collaborations within and between disciplines. Newly renovated science facilities include an animal care facility and confocal and scanning electron microscopes, and Gustavus has a 125-acre Arboretum on campus. Our courses are part of a college-wide liberal arts curriculum that develops an understanding of human cultures and the natural world by inquiry, analysis, and communication while also promoting civic engagement and ethical actions. As such, many of our courses emphasize how science intersects with issues of social, cultural, philosophical and environmental value. For more information about the department, its faculty, students, and courses, please see the department website at https://gustavus.edu/biology/.

Posted 06/18/2025