Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell University Ithaca, NY
 Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Introductory Biology: Comparative Physiology 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty, and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.  CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments, and their communities both in New York state and around the world.

SUMMARY: The Department of Neurobiology and Behavior (NBB) at Cornell University invites applicants for a full-time, 9-month appointment as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer position, depending on the experience level of the candidate. The successful applicant will be appointed to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, serving as Lead Instructor for the fall and spring offerings of Introductory Biology: Comparative Physiology (BIOG 1440). Cornell University has a renowned tradition of excellence in the life sciences, including the instructional engagement of an exceptionally talented and intellectually motivated undergraduate student body. Comparative Physiology attracts more than 500 students per year as a key element of the biology core curriculum and is a required course for several related majors across the University. This course covers fundamental physiological processes from a comparative perspective, focusing on physiological challenges and adaptations of bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. The candidate will restructure this course to promote student engagement and create an inclusive learning environment, by developing and implementing innovative student-centered instructional methods and interventions. The candidate will work closely with a highly collaborative group of faculty who alternate in contributing subject modules, a deeply committed lab coordinator, six graduate teaching assistants, and a course administrator.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching: 35% of the effort in this position will involve the candidate directing all classroom and instructional activities, including planning the curriculum, updating learning outcomes, lecturing, and overseeing active learning activities. Specific duties will depend on the varied strengths of the candidate and other teaching faculty. The candidate will collaborate with a course administrator on course management. The candidate will supervise and provide pedagogical training for six graduate student Teaching Assistants who lead the 18 weekly small group sections, which include lab-type modules, and share supervision of the lab coordinator. Furthermore, the candidate will coordinate with the instructor of the summer course to implement new developments that have been adopted during the academic year.

Instructional Development: 40% of effort in this position will be to continually advance the pedagogical practices for the course. Effort will support transitioning the course from a traditional lecture format to an active learning format focused on engaging a diverse student population. Responsibilities will include infusing research-based active learning practices such as conducting activity plans, building innovative assessments of learning outcomes, and creating interactive videos for challenging concepts. The candidate will lead further implementation of practices that foster engagement, success, and a sense of belonging for students from diverse backgrounds. The candidate will also collaborate with the lab coordinator to continually revise section activities and associated materials so that the sections connect clearly to course learning outcomes by reinforcing the concepts and approaches presented in lecture. The candidate is expected to stay current on improvements in teaching methods, translate innovations to the BIOG 1440 classroom, and advise the other BIOG 1440 faculty on how to implement best practices. Thus, the candidate will be encouraged to liaison with Cornell’s wider community of instructional specialists (including the CALS Office of Curriculum Development and Instructional Support, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation, the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Biology, and a collaborative group of innovative colleagues who teach across the introductory Biology courses). The candidate will provide leadership continuity across Fall and Spring academic semesters, ensuring that incremental improvements are retained and enhanced, and course policies / processes are based on consistently applied principles.

Course Administration: 15% of the effort in this position will involve collaboration with a course administrator to develop processes to assist undergraduates who have questions and need support related to the administrative aspects of the course. The candidate will oversee populating and maintaining changes in the course syllabus, updating the Canvas course website, managing the in-class wireless response system, coordinating the administration and proctoring of exams and quizzes, collaborating with Cornell Student Disability Services to proctor extended exam accommodations, managing extensions, creating policies around absences, identifying students of concern, maintaining the course gradebook system that tracks all student scores, updating the course archives of past lecture files, exams, activities, and discussion section materials, and working collaboratively with the other course faculty on additional ad hoc administrative tasks as they arise. For many of these duties the candidate will serve in an oversight capacity and will receive significant assistance from the lab coordinator, teaching assistants, and course administrator. The candidate will also develop processes to identify students who would benefit from existing support mechanisms available in the Office of Undergraduate Biology and across campus.

Professional Development: 10% of effort in this position will be focused on staying up-to-date on pedagogical advancements. The candidate will participate in professional development opportunities such as conferences and workshops and will be provided with support to participate in one national or international conference per year.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant will hold a PhD in Biology, Physiology, Biology Education, or a related field, and have excellent organizational, interpersonal communication, team building, and collaboration skills. A track record in undergraduate teaching is required, and previous experience developing active learning curricula, assessing learning outcomes, creating inclusive learning environments, and coaching educators is highly desirable.

SALARY: Lecturer Range: $56,364 - $72,000 and Sr. Lecturer Range: $75,000 - $94,000

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT: 9-month appointment

SUPERVISION: The candidate will meet with a mentoring team to review progress and areas for growth at the end of each academic semester, contributing to an annual review process. The team will include senior faculty with curricular oversight in NBB.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The candidate will supervise the teaching contributions of 6 graduate student Teaching Assistants each semester, lab coordinator, course administrator

To apply: 

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/24781).

 Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website, and a teaching statement.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.