Assistant Professor of Biology (tenure-eligible)

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY (PHYSIOLOGY) – tenure eligible

Luther College seeks an Assistant Professor of Biology, a physiologist whose professional experience in biology has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to academic excellence in teaching, research, and service for a tenure-eligible position to begin Fall 2027. We seek candidates with ability and interest in teaching physiology and anatomy for nursing majors, upper-level electives for biology majors, the introductory level molecules, cells, and genes course for biology majors, and an all-college interdisciplinary course at the first year or senior level in rotation with other department faculty. Topics for upper-division elective courses could include immunology, vertebrate physiology, endocrinology, developmental biology, etc. The teaching load is six course equivalents per year, with lectures counting as one course equivalent and labs as half a course equivalent.

Applicants should hold a PhD; ABD will be considered at Instructor rank. Teaching experience is required. The successful candidate will communicate knowledge of, and interest in, teaching at Luther College. Candidates should demonstrate potential for excellence in college teaching and effectiveness in mentoring undergraduates. The development of an exciting research program appropriate for the liberal arts setting that involves undergraduate students and seeks external research funding is expected.

Teaching and research facilities include well-equipped labs, housing and surgical suite for lab animals, physiological data acquisition systems, anatomy lab including human body donor dissection, electrophysiological equipment, human performance equipment, bioassay equipment (e.g., 96 well plate reader), qPCR, Nanopore sequencer, and a microscopy suite including electron, light, and fluorescence microscopes.

Luther College is located in Northeast Iowa, a regional hub for outdoor recreation, two nationally recognized healthcare systems, top ranked schools, business, agriculture, specialty retail, dining and tourism. Major Midwest metropolitan areas within a three-hour driving distance include Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; and Madison, WI. We are an easy drive to La Crosse, WI, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA, and Rochester, MN, home of Mayo Clinic.

At Luther College, inclusion and belonging are central to our educational mission and values. We are committed to the institutional change required for visioning and realizing a more equitable and socially just college and society. Strong candidates will have experience and vision regarding teaching and mentorship of students of multiple and diverse backgrounds with attention to structural barriers that limit access to educational opportunities.

With support from departmental colleagues and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the successful candidate will participate in program development, student recruitment and advising. Departmental and college service, professional development activities that support teaching or research interests, and the pursuit of research that involves undergraduate students are all aspects of working at Luther College.

Apply: For full consideration, applications should be received by September 21, 2026. Apply for this position at https://www.luther.edu/offices/hr/careers. Applicants’ dossier should include:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position at Luther College, as articulated in this position description, and summarizing your training and experience appropriate to the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Teaching statement addressing your approach to teaching physiology at both the introductory and advanced levels; your experience and vision for inclusion and belonging through your work and student engagement; and how your teaching contributes to a liberal arts education.
• Evidence of effective teaching (e.g., sample syllabi, student evaluations, other course materials) to the extent possible.
• Research statement, including your plans to develop a program at Luther College and your approach to mentoring students.
• Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
• Contact information for three references (name, affiliation, email and phone). References will only be contacted for those candidates under serious consideration and we will seek your permission before doing so.

The current salary range for assistant professors with 0-5 years of experience is $53,100–$58,900 (academic year salary); placement on scale is dependent on credentials and applicable experience. Additional opportunities are available (start-up funds, summer teaching, summer undergraduate research, grant funded research, etc.).

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Eric Baack, Department Head, Dept of Biology, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101; phone: 563-387-1087; email: baacer01@luther.edu. Additional information about the college is available at www.luther.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to hr@luther.edu.