Overview and Responsibilities

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking candidates who are eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence.

Job Summary

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota invites candidates to apply for an Assistant Professor faculty position on a renewable three-year appointment in the department of Biology that will start in August of 2026. This individual will be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the university, including and alongside teaching undergraduate biology courses and labs including General Biology and upper division courses in the applicant’s specialty; student advising; service on departmental and faculty committees; and engaging in research appropriate for undergraduates. Preference will be given to applicants that can teach (some of) the following courses: aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, plant taxonomy, sustainable resource management, wetland ecology and/or conservation biology. At Saint Mary’s the standard teaching load is 22-24 credit hours per contract year and this individual will be expected to teach this load, covering foundational and upper-level areas of undergraduate biology lecture and lab courses, as well as appropriate courses in the Saint Mary's University general education program.

Application materials submitted on or before February 2, 2026 will be fully considered. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Salary Range:

$54,000-$62,000 Anually

Main Duties & Responsibilities

This individual will be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the university, teaching undergraduate biology courses and labs including General Biology and upper division courses in the applicant’s specialty. Preference will be given to applicants that can teach (some of) the following courses: aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, plant taxonomy, sustainable resource management, wetland ecology and/or conservation biology.
At Saint Mary’s the standard teaching load is 22-24 credit hours per contract year and this individual will be expected to teach this load, covering foundational and upper-level areas of undergraduate biology lecture and lab courses, as well as appropriate courses in the Saint Mary's University general education program.
Other responsibilities include student advising, service on departmental and faculty committees,and engaging in research appropriate for undergraduates.

Qualifications

Experience and Education Requirements

Applicants with a Ph.D. in Fisheries, Botany, Ecology, Biology, or a related field earned by
September 1, 2026 are strongly preferred but applicants with an M.S. or A.B.D. will also be
considered.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

Experience or evidence of potential for excellence in teaching undergraduate biology is required. Applicants must be able to integrate our unique environmental surroundings situated within the Driftless Area and the Upper Mississippi River watershed into teaching and scholarship. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to develop and teach upper-level elective course(s) in their area of expertise that complement those offered by the current biology faculty. The candidate will be expected to establish and maintain an active research program to mentor students in research that culminates in a student thesis.

Physical Demands

Medium work. Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Physical Hazards – Health and Safety Concerns

General office environments
Chemicals
Driving
Biohazards
Extreme climate (Hot/Cold)

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, 1-2 page teaching statement, a 1-2 page research statement, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes a diverse professoriate contributes to a robust academic environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise in diverse scholarly and pedagogical approaches and experience mentoring members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

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