Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences to join our Biological Sciences team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $70,000 - $75,000 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the  academic year. In addition, for the seven out of eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Rent Cafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here.

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more:
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The Role:

The Department of Biological Sciences at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, seeks a colleague specializing in population or community-level freshwater fish ecology to join the faculty in a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning September 16, 2026. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to engaged teaching, student-centered research, and inclusive mentoring of students at the undergraduate and Master's degree level.

We particularly value potential to collaborate with tribal nations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations; address regional conservation issues; and provide students with experiential learning and professional development opportunities beyond the classroom. Teaching responsibilities will involve field and laboratory courses at introductory through advanced levels, including general biology, general ecology, and ichthyology, as well as other courses within the candidate's area of specialization.

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse career paths, including those who have achieved excellence in non-academic or academic settings.

At CWU, we pride ourselves in creating transformative educational environments that encourage personal growth and success, producing a model learning community of access and opportunity. To further this mission and vision, we nurture culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. We are committed to fostering high-impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships.

For more information about the Department of Biological Sciences, see https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

This is an in-person position located at the Ellensburg campus.

Minimum Qualifications

* Ph.D. in a biological discipline or closely related field awarded by the position start date;

* Research expertise in an area of freshwater fish ecology with a focus on populations or communities;

* Demonstrated commitment to the use of inclusive teaching methods that will engage, inspire, and foster the…