Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks an exceptional Assistant Professor of Botany whose scholarship and teaching advance our department's strengths in plant biology, ecology, and conservation. The successful candidate will be a student-centered educator and an active scholar who integrates undergraduates and master's students into a sustainable research program.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning and success be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning (when applicable) and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region.
The Department of Biological Sciences and FGCU provide unique opportunities for candidates interested in this position. On an average year, we support 900 undergraduate students and 15 - 25 Master's students. Departmental faculty possess a wide range of scholarly interests to include molecular, genetic, and organismal pursuits as well as community-engaged research and SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning). Faculty also provide a variety of learning opportunities that run the range of Bloom's taxonomy (from recall to creation) and, therefore, employ different approaches to include integrated lab-lectures, active-learning, and Course-embedded Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Faculty, staff, and students also partner extensively with the community members, which supports the university's sustainability and service-learning goals. Potential partnering organizations include Naples Botanical Gardens, CREW Trust, and local/state agencies. In addition, half of the campus is set aside as conservation areas, which creates a living laboratory for both teaching and research opportunities for the field and lab. Our campus reflects the distinctiveness of our region, including wetlands, pine flatwoods, and cypress domes, and our campus is located in close proximity to coastal estuaries, mangroves, coastland, and the Everglades. This is a special place for people who want to connect their teaching, research, and service.
Ideal candidates will complement departmental strengths; demonstrate the potential to secure external support appropriate to a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI); and show a clear commitment to pedagogy that elevates student success (e.g., active learning, CUREs, POGIL), mentoring, and collaborative engagement within and beyond the University.
Job Description Typical duties include but are not limited to:
- Teaches 9 credit hours per semester of core and upper-level, and/or graduate courses in Biology and other assigned courses as outlined in the annual assignment.
- Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
- Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned with curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
- Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
- Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and individual support to students.
- Utilizes the University's learning management system and other instructional technologies effectively.
- Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum development and program advancement.
- Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are met.
- Establishes and maintains an active research program, including opportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
- Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and grantsmanship.
- Engages in continued professional development and maintains professional skills appropriate to rank and field.
- Actively participates in departmental, college, and university committees and meetings.
- Contributes to community, institutional, and professional service in support of the University's mission.
- Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning assessment, and required training activities.
- Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
- Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and excellence in all professional activities.
- Complies with University policies, procedures, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Description Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Botany, Plant Biology, Plant Sciences, or closely related field from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
- ABDwill be considered if degree is conferred by August 7, 2026. If successful candidate isABD, appointment will be made at a Lecturer level on a fixed contract.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research and/or teaching in plant systematics, plant ecology, plant physiology, plant genetics, or conservation biology.
- Experience in teaching plant biology courses including but not limited General Botany, Plant Physiology, Plant Ecology, and courses supporting our undergraduate and graduate Biology programs.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications in any area of botany or plant sciences commensurate with career stage.
- Experience implementing high-impact practices (e.g., CUREs, POGIL, inquiry-driven labs) and evidence-based teaching.
- Experience with/or clear commitment to mentoring undergraduate and graduate-level research.
- Demonstrated experience or strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration across biology fields (e.g., ecology, environmental studies, chemistry, biotechnology).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the discipline(s).
- Understanding how to use digital and interactive technologies for efficiently and effectively achieving specific learning goals.
- Knowledge of critical thinking processes and understanding how to help learners develop high level questioning skills.
- Knowledge and skill in the use of inquiry-based instructional models and strategies.
- Knowledge and ability to use technology in various teaching modalities (e.g. Face-to-face, synchronous online or asynchronous online).
- Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and outside the University in the development and delivery of instruction, resulting in improved student learning.
- Ability to leverage FGCU's campus conservation areas and regional ecosystems for research and teaching.
Special Instructions to Applicants: Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2026. Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida's Public Records Law, please DONOTsend examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property ofFGCUandCANNOTBERETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property ofFGCU. Under Florida's Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request. Required Application Materials:
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Statement of Research
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Five (5) Professional References
The position is listed as "open until filled"; however, applications received by October 19, 2025 will receive priority consideration. This position is eligible for sponsorship.
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Florida Gulf Coast University
Sep 18, 2025