Assistant Professor

The Lake Forest College Biology Department invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level, starting August 2027. We are seeking a highly qualified biologist to help lead our introductory biology course BIOL 120: Organismal Biology and teach our upper-level Plant Biology course BIOL 384, both with laboratories. There is also the opportunity to develop further courses in the applicant’s area of expertise, including teaching in the college-wide First Year Studies Program.[KK1]  Our introductory organismal biology course embraces the diversity of biological systems and seeks to integrate topics from molecules to ecosystems in terms of understanding organisms. As a department, we value inquiry-based learning in our lab courses and we incorporate scientific literature starting in first-year courses. The Biology Department actively seeks candidates whose professional and lived experiences strengthen their ability to teach and mentor all of our students, who embody a variety of identities, experiences, and preparations. 

Successful candidates will express enthusiasm for a liberal arts education. Postdoctoral experience is required and demonstrated excellence in teaching beyond the traditional TA experience is strongly preferred. 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 that 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.

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 (including a research-grade greenhouse, tissue culture, microscopy, imaging facilities, and aquatic and terrestrial vivaria), among other top distinctions. Support for undergraduate researchers, federally-funded faculty, and a full-time lab manager make our department 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 1,800 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. The College also expects peer-reviewed publications and active participation in the College community. If you are interested in learning more about employment at Lake Forest College, please visit Working at Lake Forest | Lake Forest College

In a single PDF, please send the following: 1) a cover letter that describes your motivation for applying to Lake Forest College, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy highlighting your approach to Organismal Biology (BIOL 120) and Plant Biology (BIOL 384), 4) a statement highlighting how you will build a 5-year program designed around undergraduate research, 5) a statement that describes concrete strategies you would use to teach and support all our students, who have a wide range of experiences and preparations, throughout their college experience, and 6) representative (p)reprints. Please provide names and contact information for three recommenders. Questions may be addressed to Associate Professor Rebecca Delventhal, biosearch@lakeforest.edu. 

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary offered for this position is: $67,000 -$74,000.

Benefit information is located at: www.lakeforest.edu/offices-and-departments/human-resources/employee-benefits