Ocean Career: California State University Marine Education and Outreach Assistant Professor

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

The Department of Marine Science at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position to begin in Fall 2024. We seek applicants with a demonstrated commitment to teaching and a strong background in marine science education and outreach. Successful applicants will have disciplinary training in a wide variety of fields, including the ability to complement existing faculty expertise in marine biology and ecology, oceanography, ocean technology, physiology, genomics, conservation biology, and others.

The Department of Marine Science at CSUMB offers a BS degree in Marine Science. The College of Science also offers nine undergraduate degrees including a BS in Biology and Environmental Science, as well as a BA in Environmental Studies. Faculty in the Department of Marine Science can advise thesis students in the MS program in Marine Science at nearby Moss Landing Marine Laboratories through the CSU consortium program and through the thesis track of the CSUMB Environmental Science Professional Science Master’s Program. All the programs emphasize the critical thinking and technical skills necessary to develop workable solutions for complex environmental problems. Unique in their approach to linking marine science to management and decision-making, the BS/MS in Marine Science and the MS in Environmental Science provide students with active learning and applied research in a wide variety of marine systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Teach primarily undergraduate courses (12 units/semester—up to 3 units of these units can be for mentoring undergraduate and masters student research). Depending upon candidate expertise and needs of the Department and College, courses may include Adventures in Marine Science (MSCI 185), Marine Biodiversity and Function (MSCI 345), Marine Ecology (MSCI 340), and possibly an upper-division course in their area of expertise.
  • Develop and sustain innovative and extramurally funded programs related to marine science education and outreach (e.g., NSF GeoBridge and REU, NOAA Education Programs, California Sea Lion Bowl, etc.).
  • Develop professional relationships with the regional community of marine science education/research institutions, federal, state, local marine policy/management agencies, non-profit groups, community colleges, K-12 schools and/or other marine stakeholders.
  • Employ innovative teaching and learning techniques that engage students through the use of technology, hands-on experience, and problem solving. Integrate field-based experiences for students into classes.
  • Advise and mentor undergraduate and masters students in research, academics, capstone projects, internships, and post-degree career options.
  • Contribute to the Department of Marine Science, College of Science, and University-wide governance through participation at faculty meetings and through committee work.
  • Help implement the goals of the College of Science and the CSUMB Vision (https://csumb.edu/about/vision-statement).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • PhD in biology, oceanography, marine science, marine ecology, or related field at time of hire. A PhD in science education would also be considered if the candidate has the ability to teach courses within the Marine Science major.
  • Demonstrated excellence in facilitating learning through teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
  • Publication record in field of expertise.
  • Capacity to develop and sustain extramural grants focused on marine science and education.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability and desire to mentor and teach students from diverse cultural, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A track record of conducting scholarly research related to marine science education and outreach.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate research into undergraduate education.
  • Experience in course and/or curriculum development.
  • Success in securing external funding to support research, including undergraduate student research.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.

The incumbent is required to maintain confidentiality as outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.

Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

COMPENSATION:

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $80,000/annual – $85,000/annual

CSU Salary Schedule

BENEFITS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, dental & vision plans; a fee waiver education program; and membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). For more information, visit: Employee Benefits Summary. Additionally, the University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay provides access to affordable campus housing based on availability, visit: Schoonover Employee Housing for more information.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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