Assistant Professor, Biology (TENURE TRACK)

Position Title Assistant Professor, Biology (TENURE TRACK) Special Instructions to Applicants Please respond to the required Supplemental Questions addressing the minimum and desirable qualifications. These supplemental questions are a required part of the application. Applicants must address their preparation to teach non-majors Introductory Biology AND identify at least one additional teaching area: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, or Microbiology. They are designed to give you the opportunity to provide information about how you meet the desirable qualifications for the position. PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS, even if you repeat information provided elsewhere on the application. The information provided in your answers will be used to determine which individuals will be invited for an interview and teaching demonstration. In-person interview dates: First interviews are tentatively scheduled for February; final interviews are tentatively scheduled for March.

NOTE: The disciplines listed in the minimum qualifications are determined by the statewide Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. A PhD is considered to encompass a master’s degree. Other than that, if the title(s) of your degree major(s) listed on your official transcripts or other documents from the degree-granting institutions are not an EXACT MATCH to the degrees listed below, please submit a master degree equivalency form. Without it, your application will not be considered. Information on the equivalency process and required form is available at . The completed form can be uploaded in the attachment section of the application. Description of Position The Biology Department at Contra Costa Community College is accepting applications for a Tenure-Track Faculty (full time). This assignment begins August 2027.

The student population of Contra Costa College (CCC) reflects its surrounding diverse communities. CCC is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and serves predominantly historically disadvantaged and under-represented student groups including African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Latinx students. CCC is situated in a socioeconomically diverse, resilient, and culturally vibrant community. We seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population, and our central work: strengthening West County by meeting our students where they are and helping them get to where they want to be.

We seek candidates who operate with a growth mindset, a strength-based approach centered on students, and a commitment to equity, especially concerning the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion. The ideal candidate will be eager to help construct and maintain a culture of continuous improvement in instructional effectiveness.

This is a full-time, tenure-track academic position in Biology at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California. Non-majors Introductory Biology is a core teaching responsibility. In addition, the successful candidate must be prepared to teach at least one of the following: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, or Microbiology. Teaching responsibilities include both lecture and laboratory instruction in non-majors Introductory Biology and the selected additional area.

The successful candidate will provide engaging, accessible instruction for students completing general education requirements, preparing for allied health programs, and pursuing transfer. Responsibilities include developing and accessing lecture and laboratory learning activities, guiding safe laboratory practice, evaluating student learning, and collaborating with department faculty and laboratory staff to support curriculum and student success. Teaching assignments will reflect department needs and the selected candidate’s preparation. Inquiries Amber Tu, Sr. Administrative Assistant, to VP of Equity and Instruction Recruitment Type Faculty Location Contra Costa College Posting Number F01387 # of Openings 1 Salary Initial salary placement for full-time, tenure track positions is based on academic degree(s), upper/graduate level units earned, teaching experience and/or qualifying related professional occupation experience which ranges from $68,136 to $119,640 per year (Up to $132k). Position Status Tenure- Track EEO Job Category Faculty & Other Instructional Staff Employee Group Full-Time Faculty Department C7002-Biological Sciences Discipline Biological sciences Alternate Discipline Duties and Responsibilities In addition to contractual duties, all full-time faculty are expected to participate actively in their disciplines, department activities, and the general intellectual life and governance of the college. Part of the teaching assignment may be in the evening and/or online. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. advancing equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established course outlines;
2. participating in the assessment of student learning outcomes for courses and programs; developing and implementing student learning outcomes assessment processes for courses and programs;
3. collaborating in the development and revision of curriculum and in program review;
4. engaging in department program improvement initiatives;
5. participating in department, division, and college committees;
6. participating in professional development activities, both departmental and college-wide;
7. maintaining current knowledge in the subject matter area and effective teaching/ learning strategies;
8. maintaining appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics;
9. informing students of course requirements, evaluation procedures and attendance requirements;
10. preparing and grading class assignments and examinations and informing students of their academic progress;
11. maintaining attendance, scholastic, and personnel records and submitting them according to published deadlines;
12. posting and holding sufficient and regular office hours in accordance with prevailing policy;
13. participating in College’s shared governance processes. Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience Understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and faculty.

EDUCATIONNote: Degrees must be from an accredited college/university. Transcripts must show degree(s) conferred.Master’s in any Biological ScienceORBachelor’s in any Biological Science AND Master’s in Biochemistry, Biophysics, or Marine ScienceORthe equivalent

EQUIVALENCYIf you are applying for equivalency, please attach the Master’s Degree Discipline Equivalency form contained in the application packet and explain how your background is the equivalent. License/Certificates/Credentials
Desirable Qualifications Highly qualified candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and experience:Teaching Preparation and Experience1. Academic preparation and effective college-level teaching experience in both lecture and laboratory courses in non-majors Introductory Biology, the primary teaching area for this position, and at least one additional area: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, or Microbiology. Proficiency in all three additional areas is not expected.
Laboratory Skills and Safe Practice
2. Ability to teach foundational laboratory skills in non-majors Introductory Biology, including compound light microscopy, slide preparation, accurate measurement and solution preparation, experimental design with appropriate controls, and collection, graphing, and interpretation of biological data. Ability to guide students in safe equipment use and clear scientific communication.

3. Technical proficiency in laboratory methods and equipment relevant to at least one of the following areas, including the ability to teach safe practices and troubleshoot common problems. Proficiency in all three areas is not expected.

• Human Anatomy: Experience working with human cadavers and performing cadaver dissection; identification of anatomical structures using cadavers, anatomical models, and preserved specimens; microscopic identification of tissues; and application of anatomical terminology and structure-function relationships
• Human Physiology: Experience with frog pithing and specimen preparation; laboratory experiments in enzyme activity, membrane transport, sensory function, and muscle physiology; recording and interpreting EMG, ECG, and blood pressure data; use of systems such as PowerLab and LabChart; and proficiency in solution preparation, spectrophotometry, physiological calculations, and data analysis.
• Microbiology: Experience with aseptic technique, culture media preparation, microbial cultivation and isolation, microscopy and staining (including Gram staining), serial dilutions and viable plate counts, biochemical identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing; and proficiency in safe microbial handling, disinfection, sterilization, and biological waste disposal.

Effective and Inclusive Teaching4. Evidence of rigorous, engaging, and effective instruction that develops students’ scientific reasoning and connects biological concepts to everyday life, human health, and scientific inquiry.

5. Ability to create an inclusive, accessible learning environment for students with varied academic preparation, abilities, backgrounds, and educational goals. Demonstrated sensitivity to differences in race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic circumstances, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, and disability in teaching pedagogy.

6. Ability to evaluate and improve instruction through evidence-based teaching strategies, student feedback, reflection, and assessment of student learning outcomes.
Commitment to Community College Students

7. Knowledge of and commitment to the open-access mission of California community colleges, demonstrated through support for students completing general education requirements, preparing for allied health programs, and pursuing transfer to four-year institutions.
Collaboration and Departmental Contribution
8. Effective communication and collaboration with students, faculty, and laboratory staff, including active listening, constructive responses to feedback, and shared work on curriculum development, laboratory instruction, assessment, and department and college initiatives.
9. Interest and ability to strengthen connections with high schools, counselors, college colleagues, and allied health and transfer programs through outreach and collaboration to help students understand and pursue their educational goals. Job Open Date: 11/06/2026 Job Close Date: 01/10/2027 Open Until Filled No Employment Begins: August 2027 # of Months 10 Employee Benefits Membership in State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)
District-paid benefits (employee contributes 6%) for employee and dependents/domestic partners include:
- Medical (Anthem Blue Cross or Kaiser) insurance including chiropractic services
- Dental and vision
- Flexible spending (125) plan
- Life and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Deferred compensation (403b and 457)
- Sabbatical Leave

Additional Benefits: The District also offers eligible faculty employees, travel assistance plan, retiree benefits, and employee discounts on health memberships.

Newly hired employees may notify the respective union (Local 1 or United Faculty) if they opt to join and/or authorize payment to the union. If the newly hired employee authorizes payment to the union then the following fees apply: Local 1 has a one-time initiation fee of $ and monthly contribution of 1% of gross pay +$1. United Faculty has an agency fee of .55% of gross pay plus $