Drake University
United College: Assistant Professor of Practice in Biology (Teaching in China)
🇺🇸Iowa, United States3 days ago
Full TimeEN
Title: United College: Assistant Professor of Practice in Biology
Position Number: Q99990
Unit/Department: Drake United College
Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
Department Summary:
QU – Drake United College, a unique joint degree program between Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and Qingdao University in Qingdao, China, invites applications for multiple faculty positions starting Fall 2026. The QU-Drake United College is collaborative initiative between Drake University and Qingdao University that allows undergraduate students to earn both a Qingdao University Degree and a Drake University Degree through a jointly developed curriculum taught in Qingdao. The dual degree programs, offered in Biology and Data Analytics, enable students to complete four years of full-time study in Qingdao University. Students take six credits of ESL/Public Speaking over two semesters.
Qingdao University is located in Shandong, an eastern Chinese province on the Yellow Sea. Qingdao is a vibrant coastal city with a population of over 7 million, known for its temperate climate, rich history, and popularity as a travel destination. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Qingdao has been ranked among the world’s top 500 universities in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
Job Summary:
Faculty will teach fall and spring semesters onsite in Qingdao, with a teaching load of four (4) sections per semester. All instruction will be in English. Faculty will also spend time in Des Moines, Iowa for training and support before and after teaching abroad. Candidates should be able to teach a variety of courses such as anatomy & physiology w/ labs, general and pre-professional biology w/labs, medical biophysics, bioinformatics, infectious disease, virology, evolution, and microbiology w/ labs. The positions are renewable for multiple years with the possibility of conversion to tenure-track.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Ph.D., or near completion in Biology or a related area is required.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Housing in China will be provided, and Drake employees will receive additional health coverage in China.
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Drake Benefits Guide.
One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Tuition Benefits.
Review of Applications Begins:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until positions are filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please complete the online application and attach (1) a cover letter, (2) CV/Resume, (3) a statement about your experience in supporting the success of students from diverse backgrounds, (4) teaching philosophy, and (5) the contact details for three references.
Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of semi-finalists and finalists.
Questions about this position can be directed to the search chair: Deb Christensen, Department Chair of Biology, deb.christensen@drake.edu .
Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at jobs@drake.edu .
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of authorization to work in the United States.
