The college is home to five academic departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and the Environment, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. The college offers over 30 degrees ranging from Bachelor of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy as well as having many active research labs funded through extramural sources. DU and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment of belonging for all. In alignment with this commitment and regardless of specialization, successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to integrate content, programming, processes, communication, and sentiments to build a welcoming community of learning for all, being conscious of individuals with historically minoritized identities. You can read more about DUs commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on the University's website.
The Department of Biological Sciences focuses on two areas of research and teaching; 1) Cell and Molecular Biology including biophysics, neuroscience, cell signaling, and developmental biology, and 2) Ecology, Biodiversity including behavioral ecology, plant-insect interactions, conservation biology, restoration ecology, and evolution. The department offers undergraduate majors of study including Biology (B.A./B.S.), Molecular Biology (B.S./B.S.), Ecology, and BioDiversity (B.A./B.S.) Physiology of Health and Disease (BS) and Integrated Sciences (B.A.). A concentration in Cognitive Neurosciences (B.A./B.S.) is also offered in conjunction with the Department of Psychology. At the graduate level, the department offers M.S. and Ph.D. with a research emphasis in either of the two research emphases described above.
Position Summary
The Department of Biological Sciences seeks to fill a lab director position to support the undergraduate curriculum for majors in the department of biological sciences. The successful candidate will have an M.S. degree in biology or in a related life sciences field or a higher degree, experience in directing and coordinating teaching labs, and a desire to actively maintain and update the laboratory teaching experience in our curriculum. This position will share duties with our current lab director and have a responsibility, but not limited to, the following courses: Cell Structure and Function, General Genetics, Microbiology, a Natural Sciences Foundation courses, and the lab techniques series in the molecular biology majors. A background in cell biology, genetics, or microbiology is preferred for this position.
Essential Functions
- Primary responsibilities are to coordinate, organize and direct technical laboratories in biology (approx. 15 sections/week).
- Work includes supervising and directing teaching assistants, administering lab exercises, recording lab grades and disputes, managing emails received from students, maintaining student enrollment records & providing student instruction in biology. Developing labs and maintaining the Learning Management system (Canvas), ordering supplies, and managing and reconciling expenses for the university's p-card.
- Additional responsibilities consist of preparing, organizing, and setting up lab exercises for biology lab courses (approx. 15 sections/week). Duties include preparing solutions, maintaining lab equipment, creating student workstations, outlining lab protocols for teaching assistants, and anticipating class needs.
- Coordinate ordering and setup with faculty teaching in the following courses: Cell Structure and Function, Microbiology, General Genetics, NATS Foundations course Living in a Microbial World. Manage and maintain biology chemical stockroom and departmental lab prep area and help oversee work study students.
- Oversee the lab techniques courses (3) in the Molecular Biology major.
- Maintain relevant IBC protocols
- Summer Maintenance of lab equipment and lab development.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to do basic math and accounting and understand finance and budget reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, reports, and other pertinent information.
- Ability to interact with faculty and employees and communicate effectively, respectfully, professionally, and sensitively with students, faculty, and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- Ability to solve complex problems.
- Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
- Ability to be adaptable and flexible.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships.
- Knowledge of standard university policies and procedures.
- Strong organization and management skills.
Required Qualifications
- M.S. degree in biology or a related life sciences field
- Must have prior teaching experience at the college level
- Experience with introductory biology courses with a lab
- Supervisory or mentoring experience.
- Commitment to working with diverse student and community populations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. degree in biology or a related life sciences field
- Background in microbiology, cell biology, or genetics.
- Supervisory experience with young adults.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse student and community populations.
Working Environment
- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
- Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 22, 2025.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number
The salary grade for the position is 10.
Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $62,000-$72,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of three professional references
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.