Description:

Job Description Summary:

As a faculty member within the Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine, this person is responsible for guiding the learning of students in classroom and laboratory settings.

Instructional duties include planning courses and curricula, didactic and laboratory teaching, evaluating courses, populating and managing the learning management system (Canvas), and participating in board preparation activities.

Related duties include academic advising, attending CPM and SMU meetings, serving on CPM and SMU committees, and participating in University events and ceremonies.

Faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor are also expected to engage in scholarly activities in the teaching specialty as defined in the Faculty/Staff Handbook.

Basic science courses in the CPM curriculum include:

Human Anatomy
Lower Extremity Anatomy
Embryology
Integrated Cell and Tissue Biology
Biochemistry
Physiology
Medical Microbiology
Immunology
Medical Genetics
Pathology
Pharmacology
Neuroscience

Duties and Responsibilities:

The position is a full-time regular faculty appointment responsible for basic science instruction in the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine curriculum. The teaching assignment is set by the CPM Associate Dean of Academics and matched to the candidate's discipline, and may include didactic instruction, laboratory instruction, or both. The position is based at the SMU Oakland campus and is fully in-person.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Teaching (Didactic and Laboratory Instruction - 70%)

• Serve as course director and primary instructor for assigned basic science courses.
• Develop and maintain syllabi, learning objectives, instructional materials, laboratory exercises, and student assessments aligned with program objectives, CPME standards, and the APMLE Part I content outline.
• Select and use situation-appropriate teaching methods, including lecture, discussion, laboratory sessions, case-based learning, audiovisual, online sessions, and live-streaming.
• Direct and teach laboratory sessions associated with assigned courses where the assignment includes a lab, and maintain laboratory safety and professionalism standards.
• Populate and manage the learning management system (Canvas) for assigned courses.
• Coordinate with other faculty to align basic science and clinical instruction and to support integration across the curriculum.
• Participate in APMLE Part I board preparation activities in the assigned content domain.
• Complete formative and summative evaluations of student performance according to University policy, and document deficiencies in writing in a timely manner.

Academic Advising and Student Support (20%)

• Advise students on academic and professional issues and inquiries.
• Provide review sessions, remediation, and individual academic coaching in the assigned discipline.
• Communicate repetitive student performance concerns to the chair of the PPGR committee and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Respond to student voice or e-mail messages within 48 hours.

Service and Scholarship (10%)

• Serve on CPM and SMU committees as assigned, including curriculum, admissions, APMLE board preparation, and accreditation-related committees.
• Attend CPM and SMU meetings and participate in shared governance.
• Support CPM admissions activities including applicant interviews and recruiting events.
• Attend University events and ceremonies as required (e.g., commencement, Professional Enrichment Day, Faculty Organization meetings).
• Meet or exceed the scholarship expectations for the faculty rank as defined in the Faculty/Staff Handbook.
• Actively participate in course and curriculum development and CPME accreditation activities.
• Arrive to classes and laboratory sessions punctually. Notify the CPM Academic Office regarding illness or unavoidable absence in advance of scheduled sessions.
• Other duties as assigned by the CPM Dean.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Experience:

• Earned doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MBBS, DO, DPM, EdD, or equivalent) in the teaching discipline or a closely related biomedical field.
• Graduate-level training, postdoctoral training, residency, or fellowship in the teaching discipline.
• Prior teaching experience at the graduate, professional, or health professions level is strongly preferred. Experience teaching in a DPM, MD, DO, DDS, or PA curriculum is especially desirable.
• Preferred: experience preparing students for a national licensing examination (APMLE, USMLE, COMLEX, or equivalent).
• Preferred: experience as a course director with responsibility for syllabus, assessment, and grading.
• Preferred: record of scholarly activity appropriate to rank, which may include peer-reviewed publication, educational scholarship, conference presentation, or funded research.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• No professional license is required for candidates holding a research doctorate.
• Additional certifications may be required depending on the nature of the instructional assignment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Content expertise in one or more of the basic science disciplines taught in the CPM curriculum.
• Ability to teach basic science content to professional doctoral students, including lecture, laboratory, and case-based formats.
• Ability to direct a course end-to-end: syllabus, learning objectives, instructional materials, assessments, grading, and course evaluation.
• Skill in assessment writing, including multiple-choice items in national board format, and use of performance data to revise instruction.
• Ability to identify academically at-risk students early and provide remediation and academic coaching.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to establish positive rapport with students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities that change frequently, use keen judgment, and resolve student and faculty concerns.
• High-level proficiency with the learning management system (Canvas), online teaching platforms (Webex, Zoom), and standard productivity software (Microsoft Office).
• Able to handle privileged information in a confidential manner.
• Detail-oriented and skilled in the organization of complex projects.
• Professional in manner and attire.
• Available for occasional weekend and evening events (e.g., admissions events, board review sessions, commencement).

Work Environment:

Office Location: Oakland Campus – Onsite

• This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement.
• Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

This position will be performed in an office, classroom, laboratory, etc. setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person, video and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

In addition to, but not limited to:

• Able to stand, walk, and move around classroom and laboratory environments for extended periods while instructing students.
• Able to sit for extended periods while teaching didactic sessions, preparing materials, and reviewing student work.
• Able to use hands and fingers to handle laboratory specimens, instruments, models, and audiovisual equipment.
• Able to work in an anatomy laboratory environment where the assignment includes anatomy instruction.
• Able to lift up to 30 pounds and push and pull carts containing equipment, models, or supplies.
• Able to move between classrooms, laboratories, and offices on the Oakland campus several times per day.
• Able to express and exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through verbal and written communication.

 

Employee Status:

Regular

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:

Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range:

Up to $106,000 [annually/exempt], depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Organization:

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences, SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to make impactful contributions to health and wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

Benefits

Samuel Merritt University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

Important Notice: Beware of Fraudulent Job Offers

Samuel Merritt University has been made aware of individuals posing as SMU recruiters, particularly for remote positions. To help protect yourself, please keep the following in mind:

• All legitimate job openings are posted on the SMU Careers page and trusted job boards.
• We will never ask you to provide payment for equipment or submit sensitive personal information before completing the formal hiring process.
• Official offers of employment are issued through Workday, not by text message or informal email.

Please remain cautious and protect your personal information throughout your job search.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Samuel Merritt University does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our job application email address, SMU employees, or any other university location.  Samuel Merritt University is not responsible for fees associated with unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions.