Assistant Teaching Professor in Society and Genetics

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UCLA’s Institute for Society and Genetics is recruiting an Assistant Teaching Professor who can teach in our undergraduate programs, the major in Human Biology and Society (BS and BA), and the minor in Society and Genetics. This position has a similar career progression to someone who enters as a tenure-track assistant professor. Faculty appointed as Assistant Teaching Professors are Academic Senate members whose expertise and responsibilities center on undergraduate education and the development of teaching methods.

The Institute for Society and Genetics (https://www.socgen.ucla.edu/) is a multidisciplinary department of social scientists, life scientists, medical researchers, and humanists analyzing complex problems at the interface of biology and society and training crossdisciplinary thinkers. Our major and minor programs bridge the gap between life sciences and humanities/social sciences, generating an interdisciplinary perspective needed to address many important and current problems at the intersections of human biology, genomics and society—topics as diverse as antibiotic resistance, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, reproductive technologies, human/animal relations, indigenous knowledge sovereignty, scientific racism, histories of biotechnology, and the naturalization of police and carceral violence. Major and minor coursework educates students simultaneously on biological/scientific and social/political/ethical dimensions of these topics.

The successful candidate will have an innovative teaching program that starts from biology perspective but extends to integrate the social, political, and ethical at the intersection of biology and society. We seek a candidate with expertise to teach classes relevant to the Human Biology and Society major (https://catalog.registrar.ucla.edu/major/2021/HumanBiologyandSocietyBS?siteYear=2021) in biotechnology, human health and the environment, and medical issues in genetic science, among other topics. Candidates should have experience teaching in a variety of formats from large lectures (coordinating speakers and managing a team and teaching assistants) and small lectures, to seminars, research-focused practicums, and individual-study. Also required is experience mentoring students from a wide-variety of backgrounds and innovative and inclusive pedagogical strategies for engaging students in a variety of learning modalities.

Beyond the teaching and mentoring role, the Assistant Teaching Professor will also work with other faculty and instructors at ISG and the University to develop, implement, and assess pedagogical initiatives. To advance, the Assistant Teaching Professor will be expected to demonstrate continued scholarly activity and professional growth and enhance their value to the University and stature outside of the university. Examples of professional growth include the following contributions and achievements: (i) evidence of teaching excellence and pedagogical or curricular innovation, (ii) leadership within the department in mentoring faculty on best teaching practices including inclusive teaching and alternative modes of teaching; (iii) research and publication in the candidate’s subject-matter discipline or on pedagogy, (iv) successfully obtaining external funding to support teaching and/or pedagogical activities (v) activity in professional organizations, and (vi) academic leadership within the University beyond normal service obligations.

Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. in a Life Sciences discipline and be able to provide evidence of teaching excellence and innovative pedagogy. To apply, access the recruitment via this direct link https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08150 on the UCLA Academic Recruit website. The following materials are required: 1) a cover letter introducing the candidate describing research experience and training and articulating a vision for research and mentorship at the intersection of biology and society, 2) full curriculum vitae; 3) a statement on teaching and mentoring detailing pedagogical approach and innovative teaching strategies (1-2 pages); 4) a statement on contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching and mentorship (1-2 pages); 5) evidence (or links to evidence) of teaching excellence such as instructional or assessment materials developed by the candidate, summaries of student ratings of instruction, reports based on peer classroom observations, instructional video segments from previous courses taught, teaching awards/recognition, and any other materials candidates feel would assist the search committee with an evaluation of their application; 6) one or two research publications in the life sciences; 7) names and contact information of three references.

The posted UC salary scales (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/index.html) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table(s) 1-L. The salary range for this position is $70,900-$92,800. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. See campus compensation page for additional information.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, bullying and other demeaning behavior, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment as well as a commitment to addressing all forms of academic misconduct, UCLA conducts targeted employment reference checks for finalists to whom departments or other hiring units would like to extend formal offers of appointment into Academic Senate faculty positions. The targeted employment reference checks involve contacting the finalists’ current and prior places of employment to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UCLA requires all applicants for Academic Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information'' into RECRUIT as part of their application. If the applicant does not include the signed authorization to release information with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete. As with any incomplete application, the application will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists (i.e. those to whom the department or other hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer) considered for Academic Senate faculty positions will be subject to targeted employment reference checks.

Department: https://socgen.ucla.edu/

Must have a Ph.D. in a Life Sciences discipline and be able to provide evidence of teaching excellence and innovative pedagogy.

Names and contact information only of three references

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.