Biotechnology Instructor

Solano College is hiring a faculty position to fulfill multiple roles within our biotechnology department. For 28 years the Solano College biotechnology program has taught students the skills and knowledge required to enter a career in the biotechnology profession. The new faculty will join a department that has served as a model for programs at other colleges across the United States and is known for a number of firsts.

Solano College was the first college, two year or four year, to develop a biotechnology program that emphasized the skills and knowledge required for graduates to enter the manufacturing sector of the biotechnology industry; this field is now referred to as biomanufacturing. Solano College was the first college to offer a Certificate in Cell and Gene Therapy. And when California authorized community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees, Solano College’s Bachelors of Science in Biomanufacturing became one of the first fifteen programs to pioneer this new mission of the community colleges.

Together with other partnerships, Solano College has built a complete educational pathway with multiple entry and exit points and with successful placement rates into a profession that pays a livable wage and provides opportunities for upward mobility.

The duties of the new faculty member will include teaching biotechnology lower division and/or upper division lecture and laboratory classes, participating in curriculum development (developing new courses and certificates), interacting with other partners, and planning for the future of the biotechnology program at Solano College. The faculty member will also assist the College in developing and expanding course and degree offerings at the Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo campuses, as well as potentially developing online offerings.

The ability to use and expand the use of technology and active learning strategies in the classroom and laboratory will be expected. Teaching may occur on campus and/or synchronously and asynchronously online. Skilled candidates who have strong academic backgrounds, industry experience, and can demonstrate a variety of teaching strategies, are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are looking to welcome a future colleague who shares our commitment to students to prepare them to enter academia and industry by advancing their understanding of theory and their development of biotechnology skills (especially the use of equipment and instrumentation used in the biotech industry). A faculty member with expertise in the areas of biotechnology, research & development, grant writing and management, and/or industrial business support systems is desirable.

In addition, the successful candidate will be able teach a variety of biotechnology courses, including instruction in labs using a variety of instruments, equipment, and data analysis. Safety is a priority at Solano Community College, and the successful candidate will be expected to know, follow, implement and enforce all safety rules and standards of the department.

The position will also require providing instruction in accordance with established course outlines and expectations, preparing and grading assignments and examinations, meeting administrative timelines and submitting required documents and reports, participating in division meetings, coordinating course-level and program-level assessment and planning, and maintaining regular office hours in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Teaching assignments may include evening hours and off-campus instruction in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, and participation in student outreach and recruiting as part of the Division and College-wide services.

• To be considered for this position, all complete applications and supporting materials must be received by the Final date to receive applications.
• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview. It is, therefore, important that the application be thorough and detailed.
• Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
• The College may re-advertise or delay filling a position.
• Candidates should not expect official notification until the selection of the final candidate has been completed.
• Reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.
• Finalists will be invited to a second interview with the Superintendent/President.

• Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop, review, and maintain currency of curriculum for courses in collaboration with other instructors as well as the articulation officer.
• Provide instruction in accordance with established program course outlines of record; inform/advise students about program requirements; evaluate and provide timely verbal and written assessments of student performance; prepare and grade assignments and examinations; meet administrative timelines and submit completed reports and…