Lecturer – Biology

Lecturer Positions

The Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis invites applications for two full-time Lecturer positions to join our teaching faculty beginning January 2, 2027. These are nine-month, non-tenure track appointments. The Biology Department is home to a distinguished community of faculty, educators, and scholars and has a longstanding commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Our teaching faculty work with academically talented, intellectually curious, and highly engaged students drawn from across Washington University's undergraduate programs.

Initial appointments at the rank of Lecturer are renewed annually, with reappointment contingent upon successful annual evaluation and review. The Department of Biology has a strong record of retaining and promoting teaching-track faculty and views these positions as important long-term contributors to the Department's educational mission. Lecturers who demonstrate sustained excellence in teaching and service may be considered for promotion to Senior Lecturer and Teaching Professor, following the University's teaching-track promotion guidelines.

Successful candidates will join a collegial group of teaching-track faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate biology education. Primary teaching responsibilities will be within the Department's core courses, Principles of Biology 1 and 2. These courses cover foundational biology content including the central dogma, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and evolution. These courses are team-taught and serve the biology major, biomedical engineering majors, and pre-health programs.

Each position requires duties equivalent to a full-time teaching load, which is a combination of teaching, advising, plus department and university service. The individuals who fill each position will be expected to contribute to teaching both lecture sections and introductory biology lab sections each semester. Although the primary role will be teaching in the core course sequence for the first year, members of our teaching team are encouraged to contribute to other Biology Department courses that align departmental needs with their expertise and interests. Opportunities also exist to participate in curriculum development, pedagogical innovation, and other initiatives supporting undergraduate education.

While these are both teaching-focused appointments and research productivity is not an expectation of the positions, teaching-track faculty are encouraged to engage in professional development and contribute to curricular and pedagogical innovation. Professional development, pedagogical innovation, and service are important considerations for promotion along the University's promotion guidelines.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in biology or a closely related field by the start date. Previous teaching experience at the college or university level is required.