Assistant Professor of Biology

Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: Biology

Starting Date: Fall 2027

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of Biology to begin August 2027. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Molecular/Cellular Biology or a closely related field. The area of specialization is open, but preference will be given to candidates with expertise in neurodevelopmental biology, including neurobiology, cellular, or molecular neuroscience and those that can teach our pre-health courses. Candidates must be committed to contributing to an undergraduate-centered, pedagogically innovative, and modern research-integrated biology degree program.

CSUSM values teaching undergraduates and involving them in research. The campus is located on a scenic hillside 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and in the San Diego North County region, an area known for its temperate climate and growing technology industries. CSUSM offers a B.S. in Biological Sciences, with concentrations in General Biology, Ecology, Cellular and Molecular Biology and Physiology. CSUSM is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has been recognized nationally as an institution friendly to military veteran students and to junior faculty.

DUTIES

The successful candidate will teach introductory and upper division biology courses in areas such as cell and molecular biology, development, neurobiology, or related fields and will receive mentorship in effectively adopting evidence-based pedagogies and strategies to enhance student success. The successful candidate will mentor undergraduate research projects and will contribute to activities serving the Department, College, University, and external community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned Ph.D. in Molecular/Cellular Biology or closely related field. ABD candidates will be considered, as long as conferral is received by the hire date.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and a commitment to exploring the use of evidence-based, student-centered instructional practices.
• In addition, candidates must be able to communicate effectively and work cooperatively in an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community that serves the students of the region.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preference will be given to candidates with the demonstrated ability to mentor active undergraduate research projects.
• Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated intercultural competence in teaching, research, and/or service.
• The University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with undergraduates from various backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for underrepresented groups.
• Additionally, experience with modern neurobiology and computational approaches and the ability to incorporate these into undergraduate research training and courses is desired.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,834- $8,474 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221- $13,224 per month

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the CSUSM Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae that notes teaching experience
• A statement of teaching philosophy (up to two pages)
• A description of research accomplishments as well as plans for future research involving CSUSM students (up to 3 pages)
• Three professional references for contact by the system

Review of applications will begin Dec 15, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit Faculty Opportunities for more information.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation and veteran or military status.

Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification.