Human Resources

The Lake Forest College Biology Department invites applications for a newly created tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level, starting August 2023. We are seeking a highly qualified biologist to teach an upper-level plant biology course and our introductory organismal biology course, both with laboratories, with the opportunity to develop further courses in the applicant’s area of expertise. Our introductory organismal biology course embraces the diversity of biological systems and seeks to integrate molecules to ecosystems in terms of understanding organisms. 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 highlight the importance of biological breadth, and to mentor students across various spectrums of diversity. 

Postdoctoral experience is required for this position and demonstrated excellence in teaching beyond traditional TA experience is strongly preferred. Successful candidates will express enthusiasm for liberal arts education. This position involves teaching three courses a semester (labs count as a full course) and developing an active undergraduate-led research program that expands our departmental expertise, and results in both peer-reviewed publications and efforts to secure external funding. Tenure-track faculty at Lake Forest College who pass their third-year review will earn a half-year sabbatical at full pay, in preparation for tenure review. 

Lake Forest College has been recognized as a top college by U.S. News & World Report, including #3 in the nation for Social Mobility and #21 as a Best Value College, and #36 for Most Innovative. Princeton Review ranks the College #4 for best science lab facilities, among other top distinctions. Competitive start-up funds, support for undergraduate researchers, federally-funded faculty, and a new science building (including a research-grade greenhouse, tissue culture and imaging facilities, and aquatic and terrestrial vivaria) make our institution thrive. Members of the Biology Department actively engage in interdisciplinary programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and Neuroscience, and we welcome candidates with interdisciplinary teaching and research interests. 

A highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,700 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 also 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. The College also expects peer-reviewed publications and active participation in the College community. 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 highlighting your approach to plant biology and organismal biology, 4) a research statement highlighting how you will build a 5-year program designed around undergraduate research, 5) 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, and 6) representative (p)reprints. For full consideration, please request that letters be sent directly from three recommenders. All documents should be sent electronically to Professor Sean Menke, biosearch@lakeforest.edu. Review of applications will begin on September 19, 2022.