Compare your current skills to what this opportunity needs—we'll show you what you already have and what could strengthen your application.
Job Description
EMPLOYMENT TERMS
Full-time, Tenure-track position
PRIMARY DUTY
Seeking a biologist to offer various courses for biology majors and human health care professionals. A background and ability to offer an upper-level course in human or animal physiology for biology majors is essential. Additional teaching assignments are likely to include a physiology course for nursing and allied health students and contributions to the introductory biology sequence for science majors. Additional assignments may include medical terminology, senior seminar, and other courses suited to the applicant's area of expertise. (12-hour load per semester)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Teach an upper-level course in Human Physiology suitable for biology majors. 2. Teach a 200-level physiology course for students in nursing and other allied health fields. 3. Teach in the introductory biology sequence for science majors, either an introduction to cells and molecular biology or a course in biological diversity, currently in development. 4. Contribute to the biology discipline curriculum in other ways by offering courses in the candidate's area of expertise. Offerings related to neurophysiology and cancer biology are attractive, but we are open to a wide range of possibilities. 5. Cover a typical annual teaching load of 12 load hours per term (fall and spring). 6. Develop scholarly activity that involves undergraduate and/or master's students. 7. Serve the School and University on committees as assigned. 8. Provide additional student support in the form of academic advisement, mentorship, or other student assistance as appropriate. 9. Hold seven office hours/week. 10. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair.
REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Ph.D. in biology or related scientific discipline; ABD candidates will be considered
Skills:
Good classroom management and lecture skills
WORKING CONDITIONS
Typical University classroom, office, laboratory, and field conditions
EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED
Common classroom teaching equipment, laboratory instrumentation, and equipment for field studies
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to complete essential functions in the classroom, laboratory, and the field; Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
COMMUNITY
Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information, visit the city's website at www.maryville.org.
UNIVERSITY
With an enrollment of more than 8,500 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online. Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their university experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions. Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement, with 93 percent of bachelor's degree earners and 98 percent of master's degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data. Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster. The University's vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Review of candidates will begin as submitted and will be considered until filled
DATE AVAILABLE
August 10, 2026
TO APPLY:
Follow the steps of the online application process. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email ewilmes@nwmissouri.edu if more information is needed regarding the process.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
(1) a letter of application which describes your teaching experience and suitability for the position; (2) a statement of teaching philosophy; (3) a current curriculum vitae; (4) a statement of research interests; (5) unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, and (6) contact information for three professional references.
INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO
Biologist Search Committee Department of Natural Sciences Northwest Missouri State University 800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468-6001
