LOCATION

This position is fully on-site and requires a regular presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant/Associate/Professor of Microbiology and Immunology will drive, support, and ensure the integration of scientifically based biomedical sciences and osteopathic principles and practices in the training of students in the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) and other programs within the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). This hire will be integral in further developing a curriculum, which integrates multiple basic science fields in team-based, large and small group, learning environments. The faculty member will engage in innovative scholarship and research to advance medical knowledge and provide training opportunities for ACHE students. Dedication to achieving ACHE's mission through regional and national service is an area of focus.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the education and instruction of students by fostering a student-centered learning environment that employs evidenced-based teaching strategies that promote critical thinking, curiosity, and clinical relevance across settings such as classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, small-group facilitation, research, and scholarly activity.
• Develop, review and revise educational materials to ensure accuracy, clarity and alignment with current scientific knowledge and licensing exams.
• Serve as a faculty advisor or mentor, supporting students in academic and professional development, promoting engagement in research, scholarly projects, and lifelong learning.
• Participate in the assessment and evaluation of students, providing constructive feedback and individualized remediation as needed to support their achievement of competency and academic success in accordance with ACHE’s standards.
• Contribute to curriculum development, review, and continuous quality improvement efforts to ensure integration of foundational biomedical science with clinical application and osteopathic principles.
• Maintain office hours to provide academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, and career guidance, ensuring approachability and accessibility for student support.
• Demonstrate flexibility and a growth mindset by adapting to evolving educational needs and contributing to the college’s mission through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and service.
• Demonstrate ethical professional behavior that reflects integrity, accountability and institutional guidelines.
• Model and promote a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive institutional culture, engaging with faculty, staff, and students in a collegial and respectful manner.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, reflecting on teaching practices, and incorporating feedback.
• Engage in scholarly activity, including research, educational scholarship, and/or academic presentations.
• Maintain a personal and professional development portfolio that includes documentation of teaching effectiveness, ongoing scholarly activity, service contributions, and a clear trajectory for continued growth and expertise in the specialty field of Microbiology and Immunology.
• Actively participate in institutional and community service activities that advance the mission, vision, and values of ACHE.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair of Molecular and Cellular Biology or their designee.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, or equivalent) in Microbiology, Immunology, or a closely related biomedical science discipline. Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and curriculum delivery at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level, including experience as an instructor, course coordinator, or director in a relevant scientific field.
• Evidence of sustained scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, grants, patents, or equivalent contributions to the field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Appointments at the Associate Professor level will require six (6) years previous experience as Assistant Professor at a College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Allopathic Medicine, College of Health or Allied Sciences. Appointments at the Full Professor level will require six (6) years previous experience as Associate Professor at a College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Allopathic Medicine, College of Health or Allied Sciences.
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and administration, with a strong record of mentorship and collaboration across academic teams.
• Experience in medical and/or graduate education with a commitment to student-centered teaching, inclusive learning environments, and continuous professional growth.
• Experience in the development and implementation of courses in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated achievement(s) integrating the basic sciences from research or educational endeavors.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of core concepts in Microbiology and Immunology and familiarity with their integration into medical or graduate-level biomedical science curricula.
• Proficiency in delivering scientific content using diverse instructional methods, including lectures, team-based learning, case-based discussions, flipped classrooms, and instructional technology.
• Commitment to student-centered education with a demonstrated passion for mentoring, supporting, and motivating learners from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to adopt and implement innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies that enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and clinical relevance.
• Ability to contribute meaningfully to the development and integration of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology within a medical curriculum, including interdisciplinary collaboration and support of osteopathic medical education.
• Capacity for continuous self-improvement and a growth mindset, including openness to feedback, collaboration, and professional development in pedagogy and content expertise.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially in an interdisciplinary team, contributing to curriculum design, departmental initiatives, and the broader mission of the institution.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills, i.e. Microsoft Office.
• Display professionalism for the college in all communication and interaction.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to prioritize and organize numerous and varied assignments.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the college.

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Vice President of Human Resources, at 479.308.2287 or vicki.broadaway@achehealth.edu.

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer.