Assistant Professor - Biology

Responsibilities:

The Department of Biology at the University of Puget Sound, a predominantly undergraduate liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, seeks to recruit a tenure-line Assistant Professor in integrative organismal biology. We seek an animal-focused biologist whose teaching and research address how organisms develop, function, and/or evolve. We are particularly interested in candidates whose expertise would support an upper-level course with laboratory in evolutionary biology, animal physiology, developmental biology, or related integrative field.

The successful candidate will teach Evolution and the Diversity of Life (BIOL 112) and an upper-level course with laboratory in their area of expertise. This person will also contribute to the University Core through a First-Year Seminar or Connections course. A typical semester teaching load consists of either one course with accompanying laboratory sections or two courses (one with and one without a lab). We expect the incumbent to show promise and enthusiasm to become a skilled teacher and contribute to the department's mission to develop an inclusive learning environment for our students.

The successful candidate will develop an active research program that provides meaningful opportunities for undergraduate participation and professional growth. We welcome diverse research questions, approaches, and study systems within areas indicated above, including research that examines animals in interaction with other organisms or their environments. Research programs should be feasible in a predominantly undergraduate setting and complement existing departmental strengths. Faculty start-up funds, student research stipends, and grant opportunities are available.

Departmental and university service is also expected.

Qualifications:

PhD in biological sciences by the time of appointment and demonstrated commitments to undergraduate teaching, research mentorship, and inclusive pedagogy are required.

Application Deadline:

Review of applications begins October 5th, 2026.

Compensation and Benefits:

Rank: Assistant Professor

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Faculty salaries at the University of Puget Sound are based on a common salary scale based on experience. Assistant Professor salaries in 2026-2027 begin at $75,820 for an assistant professor with a terminal degree in their field in their first year of full-time post-doctorate teaching through $86,652 annualized based on experience.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package. For more information, visit: Summary of 2026 Benefits for Faculty Members.pdf - Google Drive

Puget Sound has a well-established Shared Faculty Appointments Policy, https://www.pugetsound.edu/policies/faculty-policies/shared-faculty-appointments

About Puget Sound: The University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, Washington, a vibrant, diverse mid-sized urban port city. Within, and near, Tacoma there is ready access to urban, rural, and natural areas as well as opportunities to participate in a wide variety of cultural activities.

About Biology at Puget Sound: The Biology Department highly values excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate research. Our curriculum emphasizes close faculty-student interaction through faculty-taught laboratories, small classes, a robust student/faculty research program, and dedication to student success and inclusive teaching. Faculty have dedicated research labs (~400 ft2) and access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Science Core Facility and other shared research spaces including instrument labs, a greenhouse, and an animal housing facility (more information is available on our Biology department homepage: https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/biology). The Biology Department is housed in the University of Puget Sound Science Center, along with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Computer Science, and Environmental Studies and Sciences. There is ample opportunity and enthusiasm for interdepartmental collaboration in both teaching and research. We offer majors in Biology, Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB), and Natural Science Biology, and our curriculum offers a breadth of courses in modern biology for science majors and courses on contemporary topics in biology for non-majors. Faculty also have access to the Puget Sound Museum of Natural History (PSMNH) for research or education. The PSMNH has a world-class collection comprising more than 105,000 specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, plants, insects, molluscs, and fossils with strengths in tetrapod vertebrates.

University Diversity Statement:

• We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by the investigation of and the reflection upon multiple perspectives.
• We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
• We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/diversity-at-puget-sound/

Required Documents: Applicants submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of Interest: A brief overview of your academic background and your interest in a position at Puget Sound.
• Teaching statement: Your teaching philosophy, training and/or direct experience in undergraduate teaching and inclusive pedagogy, and courses of interest to teach at Puget Sound.
• Research statement: Plans for your research program at Puget Sound, how they fit with or build on your research experience to date, and how you will include undergraduate students.
• Diversity Statement (see prompt below)
• Contact Information for 3 References. You will be prompted to enter the contact information for three (3) reference providers. The system will automatically email these reference providers to request a letter.

Note: In the online application system, please submit curriculum vitae when prompted to submit resume. Additional documents can be attached within the application.

Applicant's Diversity Statement: As a department and university, we are strongly committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, and working environment for all. In their diversity statement, applicants should reflect on how they will advance the values articulated in the University Diversity Statement in all aspects of their future work as faculty and members of the university community.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

Given the current Executive Order and the $100,000 petition fee for new H-1b visas, at the moment sponsoring a new H-1b is cost-prohibitive to us. Therefore, unless the executive order is rescinded or blocked by the courts, we are unable to commit to new H visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants with questions about visa sponsorship are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources.

How to Apply

For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound

Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit About Puget Sound to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA