Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

The Lake Forest College Biology Department seeks an engaging and skilled Instructor to join our Biology Department in August 2025. This is a full-time, 3-year position with the potential for renewal, that offers opportunities to participate in our introductory biology course, BIOL 120: Organismal Biology, as well as teach an upper-level course with lab which expands our departmental expertise. Candidates will also have the opportunity to teach a range of courses including first-year and senior seminars. Our curriculum seeks to integrate molecules to ecosystems in terms of understanding organisms, and embraces interdisciplinary programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and Neuroscience.  

The Biology Department believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key to academic excellence. We are actively seeking candidates whose professional and lived experiences strengthen their ability to integrate these topics into their courses and mentor students across a spectrum of diversity. Demonstrated excellence in teaching beyond traditional TA experience is strongly preferred. Successful candidates will express enthusiasm for a liberal arts education. This position is a full-time member of our department and involves teaching three courses per semester (labs count as a full course) and working with students as their academic advisor and as a member of thesis committees. 

Lake Forest College has been recognized as a top college by U.S. News & World Report, including #1 in the nation for Social Mobility, #13 as a Best Value College. The Wall Street Journal rated the College as the #1 Liberal Arts College in the Midwest, while the Princeton Review ranks the College #2 for best science lab facilities, among other top distinctions. Support for undergraduate researchers, federally-funded faculty, full-time lab manager, and a recently renovated science building (including a research-grade greenhouse, tissue culture, microscopy, and imaging facilities, and aquatic and terrestrial vivaria) make our institution thrive.   

A highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,800 students from more than 40 states and from more than 100 countries. Lake Forest College is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest with nearly 40% of our student body comprised of domestic students of color and international students. The majority of our STEM student pool is female and includes a significant number of first generation and traditionally underrepresented students. At Lake Forest College, the quality of a faculty member’s teaching is the most important criterion for evaluation. Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.   

In a single PDF, please send the following: 1) a cover letter that describes your motivation for applying to Lake Forest College, an undergraduate liberal arts college, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy that also addresses contributions to Organismal Biology (BIOL 120) and desired upper level course(s), and 4) a diversity statement that describes your experience with and plans to increase recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students in our core curriculum and according to our liberal arts mission. Please provide names and contact information for three recommenders. Documents should be sent electronically to Professor Kirk biosearch@lakeforest.edu. Review of applications will begin on February 17th, 2025.