Office of the Provost Open Positions

The Department of Theatre Arts invites applications for a one semester visiting Artist/Scholar-in-Residence at the rank of assistant professor, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the theatre arts, beginning August 15, 2021.

The Artist/Scholar-in-Residence position invites guest teaching artists to the college for a short-term residency.  The goal of the program is to amplify the Theatre Arts Department’s focus on diversity, justice, global engagement, and intercultural competency. The guest faculty member, depending on disciplinary interests, can teach, direct, design, lead workshops, and interact with the Westmont and Santa Barbara communities.  Artists and scholars from a broad disciplinary focus are welcome to apply, including dramaturges, directors, designers, playwrights, actors, and other theatre specialists.  

Responsibilities include teaching a seminar course focusing on race, ethnicity, and gender on the American stage, a foundational Great Literature of the Stage course with a special focus on diversity, justice, and equity, and one other course or production suited to the professional focus of the artist/scholar and the needs of the department.  In addition, the faculty candidate may be asked to mentor student projects.  The residency program is a full-time, one-semester position.   The Artist/Scholar-in-Residence will have faculty status.  

Candidates must have a terminal degree (either an M.F.A. or a Ph.D.) in hand, or all requirements for the degree fulfilled by the start of the appointment. Professional experience as a director, playwright, designer, performer, and/or performance-maker is preferred.

Successful applicants will be supportive of the Christian mission and vision of the college and interested in exploring the integration of the theatre arts and the Christian faith.

Use this link to access the application. Questions may be addressed to Mitchell Thomas, chair, Department of Theatre Arts: thomas@westmont.edu  Review of applications will begin February 15, 2021, and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will be assured full consideration.

The Department of Biology invites applications for a non-tenure-track faculty position responsible for laboratory teaching and providing instructional and technical support for faculty members in the Biology Department. A master’s degree in biology or specialized biological science is required. An additional two or more years of research, technical, or teaching experience is desired. A commitment to the mission of Westmont as a liberal arts college in the evangelical Christian tradition is essential. The candidate should also have an engaging presence in the classroom, a commitment to teaching excellence, and an openness to learning and improving with feedback. Furthermore, they should have a desire and ability to serve the needs of others while maintaining focus on details and deadlines, and an ability to multi-task with accuracy and reliability.

The teaching portion of the position involves teaching lower-division General Biology labs with possible opportunity to teach upper-division labs in one’s specialty. The instructional and technical support portion of the position involve supporting other Biology faculty in course labs and research projects in a wide variety of ways, such as preparing solutions, making arrangements for overnight field excursions, setting up lab stations, ordering reagents, and maintaining appropriate inventory of general lab supplies.

Use this link to access the application. Questions may be addressed to Dr. Amanda Sparkman, chair, Department of Biology: sparkman@westmont.edu

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science invites applications for a tenure track position in Computer Science.  We seek a faculty member with a PhD in computer science who demonstrates professional and personal interests that extend beyond computer science, to include a commitment to life-long learning in the liberal arts and an ability to cultivate such learning in undergraduate students.  As a college rooted in the worldwide, evangelical Protestant Christian tradition, we are seeking candidates personally committed to this heritage.  Applicants should also share our commitment to greater inclusion of underrepresented groups in a field that sorely needs such diversity.

The ideal candidate:

0.  is serious about following Jesus, and wants to impact the lives of students
1.  has a vision for using her or his PhD in computer science in service of #0
2.  sees computer science as central to the liberal arts
3.  has a research agenda that includes opportunities for undergraduate students to participate
4.  solves problems creatively and enjoys thinking outside the box

The computer science program at Westmont reflects our assumption that a solid theoretical understanding provides the necessary basis for elegantly and efficiently solving problems – whether in research or development. With this pedagogical perspective in mind, the new faculty member will have opportunities to make significant contributions to the content and structure of the program.

Use this link to access the application. Questions may be addressed to Dr. Russell Howell, chair, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science: howell@westmont.edu.

Westmont College is seeking faculty members (of assistant or associate rank) for its new mechanical engineering major.  Candidates must hold a PhD in engineering and have training or significant experience in mechanical engineering.  A strong commitment to shaping an engineering curriculum to fit a Christian liberal arts context is essential.  The ideal areas of specialization are thermo and fluid dynamics and/or control systems.  Candidates should also have a desire for interdisciplinary collaboration and a track record of excellent and innovative teaching. 

This is a tenure-track position.  The anticipated teaching load is 3 courses per semester with one or 2 possibly in May Term instead.  Candidates with an active research program are desired; a regular professional presence in engineering could also serve as scholarly activity.  Benefits include a generous faculty housing program that makes living in beautiful Santa Barbara affordable.

Use this link to access the application.   Questions may be addressed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Eileen McMahon McQuade, Associate Dean of the Faculty, at mcquade@westmont.edu

The Physics Department at Westmont College invites applications for a tenure-track post in Experimental Physics or Astronomy. The candidate must have a PhD in physics (postdoctoral experience preferred), a desire and ability to teach undergrad physics courses, and the capacity to direct undergraduate research.

Westmont College is a national liberal arts college in the evangelical Protestant tradition, seeking faculty with a vital and informed commitment to the Christian faith. Applications from underrepresented groups and women are especially encouraged.

Use this link to access the application.  Questions may be addressed to Dr. Kenneth Kihlstrom, chair of Physics, at kihlstr@westmont.edu.  Review of applications will begin in September 2020 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Psychology Department at Westmont College invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant/associate professor level with a start date of fall 2021.  Candidates must have a PhD and evidence of scholarly activity and a focused research program in one or more of the following areas: cognitive, learning (human and/or animal), and industrial/organizational psychology.  

We seek applicants with a serious commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching in a Christian liberal arts setting.  Courses to be taught include: introductory psychology, cognitive psychology with lab, capstone course for senior research, and other areas based on need and interest.  Candidates must be willing to supervise student research and conduct research that involves students collaboratively.

Use this link to access the application.  Questions may be addressed to Dr. Ronald See, chair of Psychology, at rsee@westmont.edu.  Review of applications will begin in September 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. 

The History Department at Westmont College invites applications for a tenure-track position in U.S. History at the rank of assistant or associate professor.  We are particularly interested in candidates specializing in the history of race and ethnicity or immigration.  With a teaching load of three courses per semester, the candidate is expected to teach a combination of broad survey and upper division courses in U.S. History and in his or her field of specialization.  

Westmont seeks faculty who are committed to teaching and mentoring undergraduates, to advancing a program of scholarly activity, and to advancing our mission of Christian liberal arts education.  With the changing demographics of our region, many of our students now identify as non-white, and we are especially interested in faculty who are able to support and encourage students of color.

Use this link to access the application.  Questions may be addressed to Dr. Heather Keaney, chair of History, at hkeaney@westmont.edu.  Review of applications will begin in October and will continue until the position is filled.