Assistant Professor of Science Education at Ball State University in Ball State University

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Science Education Compensation: $65,000 - $72,000 Department: Biology Start Date: 08/16/2027 About this opportunity: The Ball State University Department of Biology, in collaboration with the STEM Education Center, is seeking applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Science Education beginning August 2027. This is a full-time, on-campus, nine-month, benefit-eligible position offering a competitive salary. Employer will consider sponsorship. What you'll do and what you will bring: Position Function: The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses within science education, including secondary and elementary methods courses as well as a biology content course for elementary educators. There may be opportunities for teaching other undergraduate and graduate courses, supervising student teachers, or supporting programs in local school districts through our professional development school relationships. The successful candidate will also develop an externally funded, science education research program, ideally engaging undergraduate and graduate students while complementing and collaborating with current faculty in the Department of Biology and the STEM Education Center. The strongest candidates will bring accomplished K-12 experience, engagement with local schools, and a record of peer-reviewed publications supporting a well-defined science education research program with strong potential for external funding. Duties and Responsibilities: Will teach undergraduate courses in science education for secondary and/or elementary teachers. The teaching assignment may include: Introduction to Science Teaching, Methods of Secondary Science Teaching, Curriculum & Research, and Using Science Methods and Materials. Methods courses are paired with field experiences, and address planning, instruction, and assessment in the science classroom, among other topics. Typical load is 3 courses (9 credit hours) per semester. Department, Facilities, and Support The Department of Biology comprises 30 full-time faculty, including multiple faculty focused on science education, and offers the BS in Biology, the MS in Biology, and the PhD in Environmental Sciences. The Ball State STEM Education Center is the home of the interdisciplinary Teaching Major in Science, with concentrations in middle school science, chemistry, Earth/space science, life science, and physics. The successful candidate will have access to: Foundational Sciences Building . The Department of Biology is housed within the Foundational Sciences Building, which includes more than 70 teaching and research labs, specific labs for science education methods courses, additional space for collaboration and conferencing, and Foundational Sciences Research Library. This building, completed in 2021, is a beautiful campus space for research, collaboration, and teaching. STEM Education Center . The Ball State STEM Education Center serves as a STEM education hub and involves an interdisciplinary network of faculty. The Center supports STEM teacher preparation, community engagement, K-12 school partnerships, and STEM education scholarship. The Center’s mission is to expand access to high-quality STEM teaching, prepare the next generation of outstanding STEM teachers, and position Ball State as a state and national leader in STEM education. Local School District Partnership . Ball State University has a formal partnership with the Muncie Community Schools district that provides collaborative opportunities for scholarship, outreach and engagement. Minimum Qualifications Earned doctorate in Science Education or a closely related field by the date of appointment. At least 24 months of experience teaching in a K-12 setting. Preferred Qualifications Current or previous teaching K-12 licensure or certification. Undergraduate teaching experience relevant to science teacher preparation. Partnership experience with K-12 public schools. Record o