Job Description

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Tenure track position

PRIMARY DUTY: Ecologist to teach upper-level course in Ecology with lab/field experiences. Additional teaching assignments may include introductory biology courses for majors or non-majors, senior seminar, and additional coursework in the candidate’s area of specialization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Teach an upper-level course in Ecology and the associated laboratory/field work as a part of the core biology major curriculum.
• Teach introductory course in biology intended either for majors or non-majors.
• Contribute to the departmental curriculum in other ways by offering courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. Areas of expertise such as Aquatic Ecology, Ichthyology, Conservation Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, and Environmental Issues are especially desirable.
• Cover a typical annual teaching load of 12 load hours per term (fall and spring).
• Develop scholarly activity that involves undergraduate and/or master’s students.
• Serve the Department and University on committees as assigned.
• Provide additional student support in the form of academic advisement, mentorship, or other student assistance as appropriate.
• Hold seven office hours/week.
• Other duties as assigned by the Department.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Ph.D. in biology or related scientific discipline. ABD candidates will be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Typical university classroom, office, and 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 field.

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

UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 10,000 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 as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jump start on their careers. 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 and Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.

The University also is a national model for student success and career placement with 96 percent of graduates securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Furthermore, its vibrant and diverse learning community offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students an estimated $6,800 over four years. Northwest also offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.Designated the Missouri Arboretum, the Northwest campus was named one of the “50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S.”

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until filled

DATE AVAILABLE: August 2025

TO APPLY: Please fill out a Northwest application online to reach our employment opportunities listing. You will also need to submit: (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. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1127 or email bbadger@nwmissouri.edu for more information.

INQUIRIES FOR THE POSITION CAN BE MADE TO:

Ecologist Search Committee

Department of Natural Sciences

Northwest Missouri State University

800 University Drive

Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Phone: (660) 562-1388

The Office of Human Resource prides itself in offering a full, competitive benefits package with providers, who we feel, will offer the best service possible to the employees. Full-time employees are offered Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Long-term Disability insurance options as well as retirement plans upon employment at the University. For more information on each of these topics, please contact the office of Human Resources at (660) 562-1127 or via email at hrwebpg@nwmissouri.edu.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs