Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, located in Malibu, California, invites applications for a tenure-track appointment as an Assistant Professor of Biology for the 2025-2026 academic year beginning August 1, 2025. Applicants will have completed a Ph.D. by August 1, 2025 in zoology, animal physiology, or a closely related discipline and will be able to teach and conduct research in those areas. Well-qualified candidates will be able to contribute to the excellence and vibrancy of the Pepperdine experience through their teaching, research, mentoring of undergraduates, as well as their service to the university, their profession, and our surrounding community.

Seaver College places the total development of students at the heart of its educational strategy and seeks scholar-educators who demonstrate exceptional interest and effectiveness in teaching, a commitment to establishing a productive research program, and desire to mentor undergraduate students in both teaching and research. Candidates should have the background and ability to teach zoology and animal physiology with an associated laboratory curriculum. Candidates should also have an active and promising scholarly program. Successful candidates will demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian mission and values of the University and the mission of Seaver College. The Department and University are broadly committed to belonging, equity, and inclusion and we especially welcome applications from candidates who are committed to advancing these ideals.

The salary for this appointment will range from $87,795 to $93,909 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.

Application review will continue until the position is filled. A background check is required as a condition of employment. Please submit all application materials by clicking [Apply Now].

Any inquiries about this position should be sent to:

Dr. Javier Monzón (javier.monzon@pepperdine.edu)
Associate Professor of Biology
Natural Science Division
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• A letter of application
• A curriculum vitae
• Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
• Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
• Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
• Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
• Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, Pepperdine pursues the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and science at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise. Arising from our faith, we commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.

Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and Seaver College and address the following areas in their response.

• A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
• Active participation in a community of faith.
• Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom.

Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.).

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Regents represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine reserves the right to seek, hire and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists. It is the intent of the University to create and promote a diverse work force consistent with its stated goals and mission.