Human Resources

The Lake Forest College Biology Department invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level starting Fall 2026. We seek a highly qualified biologist to contribute to our core course, BIOL 221: Molecules, Genes and Cells and an upper-level course in their area of expertise that broadens our current upper-level course offerings. There will also be opportunities to develop additional first-year or senior seminar courses in the applicant’s area of expertise. As a department, we value inquiry-based learning in our lab courses, and we incorporate scientific literature beginning in first-year courses. The Biology Department actively seeks candidates whose professional and lived experiences will strengthen their ability to teach and mentor all our students, who embody a variety of identities, experiences, and preparations.

Successful candidates will express enthusiasm for a liberal arts education. Postdoctoral experience is required, and demonstrated excellence in teaching beyond the traditional TA experience is strongly preferred. This position involves teaching three courses per semester (labs count as a full course) and developing an active undergraduate-led research program that expands our departmental expertise, resulting in both peer-reviewed publications with Lake Forest College students and demonstrated efforts to secure external funding. Tenure-track faculty are eligible for a fully funded, one-semester junior research sabbatical after a successful third-year review.

Lake Forest College has been recognized as a top college by U.S. News & World Report, including #1 in the nation for Social Mobility, #13 as a Best Value College. The Wall Street Journal rated the College as the #1 Liberal Arts College in the Midwest, while the Princeton Review ranks the College #3 for best science lab facilities (including a research-grade greenhouse, tissue culture, microscopy, imaging facilities, and aquatic and terrestrial vivaria), #4 best student support and counseling services, among other top distinctions. Support for undergraduate researchers, federally funded grants, and a full-time lab manager make our department thrive. Members of the Biology Department actively engage in interdisciplinary programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and Neuroscience, and we welcome candidates with interdisciplinary teaching and research interests.  

 In a single PDF, please send the following: 1) a cover letter that describes your motivation for applying to Lake Forest College, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy highlighting your approach to Molecules, Genes and Cells (BIOL 221) and an upper level course of your choosing, 4) a statement highlighting how you will build a 5-year program designed around undergraduate research, 5) a statement that describes concrete strategies you would use to teach and support all our students, who have a wide range of experiences and preparations, throughout their college experience, and 6) representative (p)reprints. Please provide names and contact information for three recommenders. (Letters of recommendation will be requested from those who are chosen for first-round interviews.) All documents should be sent electronically to, biosearch2@lakeforest.edu. Review of applications will begin on September 29, 2025.

 Lake Forest College offers comprehensive and competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain talented individuals to further our mission. The salary range for this position is $67,000 - $74,000 and our benefits can be found at www.lakeforest.edu/offices-and-departments/human-resources/employee-benefits.

 Lake Forest College offers comprehensive and competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain talented individuals to further our mission. The salary range for this position is $67,000 - $74,000 and our benefits can be found at Employee Benefits | Lake Forest College.

A highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,800 students from more than 40 states and from more than 100 countries. Lake Forest is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest with approximately 50% of our student body comprised of domestic students of color and international students. The majority of our STEM pool is female and also includes a significant number of first-generation and historically underrepresented students.

At Lake Forest College, the quality of a faculty member’s teaching is the most important criterion for evaluation. The College also expects peer-reviewed publications and active participation in the College community.

If you are interested in learning more about employment at Lake Forest College, please visit Working at Lake Forest | Lake Forest College