Luther College seeks an ecologist with One Health perspective and field or laboratory expertise whose professional experience in biology has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to academic excellence in teaching, research, and community service. We seek candidates with ability and interest in teaching six courses per year spread over fall, January, and spring terms including: Ecology; potentially Epidemiology; and our team-taught introductory Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity. These courses contribute to biology, global health, and environmental studies programs.

Candidates incorporating traditional ecological knowledge are particularly encouraged to apply.  Additional courses in the applicant’s area of expertise and needs of the college may include but are not limited to courses for majors or non-majors including specialized subdivisions of ecology (e.g. disease ecology, ethnoecology); organismal courses (e.g. botany, herpetology, ichthyology, parasitology, virology); or applied courses (e.g. GIS, biostatistics, histology, toxicology). 

Applicants should hold a PhD or ABD. Teaching experience is required.  The successful candidate will communicate knowledge of and interest in teaching at Luther College.  Candidates should demonstrate potential for excellence in college teaching and effectiveness in mentoring undergraduates.  The development of a research program that involves undergraduate students and seeks external research funding is expected.

Teaching and research facilities include well-equipped modern labs, the Hoslett Museum of Natural History vertebrate, herbarium and insect collections, and over 700 acres of college-owned natural areas (prairie, oak woodland, Upper Iowa River).  Our location in the vibrant and scenic Driftless region is an ideal setting to teach field biology.  

Luther College is located in rural Northeast Iowa, a regional hub for outdoor recreation, two nationally recognized healthcare systems, top ranked schools, business, agriculture, specialty retail, dining and tourism.  Major Midwest metropolitan areas within a three-hour driving distance include Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; and Madison, WI.  We are an easy drive to La Crosse, WI, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA, and Rochester, MN, home of Mayo Clinic.

At Luther College, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our educational mission and values. We are committed to the institutional change required for visioning and realizing a more equitable and socially just college and society. Strong candidates will have experience and vision regarding teaching and mentorship of students of multiple and diverse backgrounds with attention to structural barriers that limit access to educational opportunities.

With support from departmental colleagues and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the successful candidate will participate in program development, student recruitment and advising. Departmental and college service, professional development activities that support teaching or research interests, and the pursuit of research that involves undergraduate students are all aspects of working at Luther College.

Apply:  For full consideration, applications should be received by September 6, 2024.  Apply for position at https://www.luther.edu/offices/hr/careers.  Applicants’ dossier should include:

● Cover letter describing your interest in the position at Luther College as articulated in this position description and documenting your training and experience appropriate to the position.

● Curriculum vitae.

● Teaching statement including how you would approach teaching upper-level ecology with One Health perspective and another class, your experience in, commitment to, and vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion through your work and student engagement, and how your teaching contributes to a liberal arts education.

● Evidence of effective teaching (e.g., LMS screen shots, sample syllabi, student evaluations, other course materials).

● Statement of research plans emphasizing how students will be mentored and your research translated to NE Iowa.

● Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts.

● Contact information for three references (name, affiliation, email and phone).

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Kirk Larsen, Search Chair, Dept of Biology, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101; phone: 563-387-1558; email: larsenkj@luther.edu. Additional information about the college is available by visiting the college website www.luther.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to hr@luther.edu.