Assistant Professor of Science Education

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.
• Evidence of K-12 science education research demonstrated by at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

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 of science education scholarship related to K-12 teacher preparation / professional development (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, postdoctoral research, or comparable scholarly accomplishment).
• Experience applying for external research grants (funded proposals are an additional strength).
  
  

How to apply:

Questions about the position may be directed to Tim Carter, tccarter@bsu.edu, Chair of the Department of Biology.

Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below: NOTE: Do not use the Autofill feature for resume:

Applications should include:

• Cover letter addressing the stated responsibilities and qualifications.
• Curriculum vitae
• A research statement (2 single-spaced page max).
• A teaching statement (2 single-spaced page max).

Applications must be received by November 19, 2026, at 12:01 AM.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation

• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.

That's how Ball State works.

Goodness requires action to grow. We're dedicated to doing our part to keep goodness growing in Muncie, at our university, and as far beyond as possible. That's where you come in. When you join our team, you become part of goodness in action. Our main priority: uplifting students so they can discover their full potential. This is how we fly.

It all comes down to caring.

There are about 3,000 full-time faculty and staff in the Ball State University work family. Each brings unique gifts to help us be the kind of institution we want to be. In return, we do our best to take care of them through comprehensive medical and dental plans, a Health Savings Account (which we contribute to), and a whole range of wellness, retirement, and other benefits like covering the cost of tuition at Ball State for you and your family. We can offer you more.

A great place to work in a great place to live.

Where you live matters just as much as where you work. We get it. That's why we've invested since the very beginning in making our hometown work. On campus, find state-of-the-art facilities and one-of-a-kind arts and cultural events. In Muncie, you'll find a warm and welcoming community with affordable housing and a vibrant downtown arts, food, and music scene. What could be better? You here - for starters.

EEO/AA Statement

Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.

Disability Accommodations

Ball State provides accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the position. Contact Melissa Rubrecht, Director of Employee Relations, at 765-285-1823 for assistance.

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