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Pepperdine | Seaver College

Faculty Employment Opportunities

Pepperdine University's Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, situated in Malibu, California, invites applications for tenure-track and fixed-term faculty positions that may be available for the 2023-2024 academic year. Seaver College partners with Interfolio to collect all faculty job applications electronically. Please click on the position title to see detailed information and apply via the links located at the end of each description.

Potential Candidates

Pepperdine University was established in 1937 by Mr. George Pepperdine, a Christian businessman, who stressed the desirability of a complete education built on a Christian value system. The institution is committed to the ideals of the founder. Pepperdine's Seaver College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college with approximately 3,400 students. Successful candidates must demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian mission of the University and the mission of Seaver College. Located near Los Angeles in Southern California, Pepperdine University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute through their teaching, research, and service to the diversity and excellence of the University and our surrounding community.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University. Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, staff and members of the Board of Regents represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine reserves the right to seek, hire and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists. It is the intent of the University to create and promote a diverse work force consistent with its stated goals and mission. 

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

  • A letter of application
  • A curriculum vitae 
  • Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
  • Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
  • Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
  • Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
  • Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, it is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

    At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and science at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise. Arising from our faith, we commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.

    Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and Seaver College and address the following areas in their response.

    • A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
    • Active participation in a community of faith.
    • Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom. 

A background check is required as a condition of employment.  Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.) 

All documents submitted must represent the original contributions of the applicant and may not be prepared using an generative artificial intelligence tool, except to provide an accommodation in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local regulations regarding individuals with disabilities.

 

Business Administration Division

Please check back for employment opportunities in the Business Administration Division.

 

Communication Division

Please check back for employment opportunities in the Communication Division.

 

Fine Arts Division

Please check back for employment opportunities in the Fine Arts Division.

 

Humanities and Teacher Education Division

Please check back for employment opportunities in the Humanities and Teacher Education Division.

 

International Studies and Languages

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish

The International Studies and Languages Division of Pepperdine University's Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences invites applications for a full-time visiting faculty appointment in Spanish for the 2023-2024 academic year. The appointment has the potential for renewal based upon successful performance and program needs. The position requires teaching four in-person courses per semester at our campus in Malibu, California. Courses to be taught will primarily be Spanish language (first through third semesters). Successful applicants will have near-native or native fluency in both Spanish and English. Applicants should be able to demonstrate prior effective teaching of Spanish language at all levels and mentorship of students. A PhD is strongly preferred, although applicants with an MA will be considered.

Finalists will demonstrate an active commitment to Pepperdine's Christian mission and the mission of Seaver College.  The expected salary range for the position will be $67,200 - $71,000. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits. Applications from persons who can contribute to the diversity of the University’s faculty and community are highly desired.

Please submit all application materials at: apply.interfolio.com/126256. Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the search is closed. A background check will be required as a condition of employment.

Contact:
Dr. George Carlsen (george.carlsen@pepperdine.edu)
Chair, Search Committee
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263

 

Natural Science Division

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, located in Malibu, California, invites applications for a one-year appointment as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the 2023-2024 academic year beginning August 1, 2023. Applicants who have completed a Ph.D. in cellular biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry or a closely related discipline by August 2023 are desired; however, candidates who have completed an M.S. degree and have prior teaching experience will be considered. Well-qualified candidates will be able to contribute to the excellence and vibrancy of the Pepperdine experience through their teaching and interacting with undergraduates.

As teaching is our foremost emphasis at Seaver College, candidates should demonstrate exceptional interest and effectiveness in teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Candidates should have the background and ability to teach organic chemistry courses with an associated laboratory curriculum. Candidates should also have an active and promising scholarly program. Successful candidates will demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian mission and values of the University and the mission of Seaver College. The Department and University are broadly committed to belonging, equity, and inclusion and we especially welcome applications from candidates who are committed to advancing these ideals.

The salary for this appointment will range from $64,585 to $72,000 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.

Applications will be reviewed through May 1, 2023. Please submit all application materials at: apply.interfolio.com/121292. A background check will be required as a condition of employment.

Contact: 
Dr. Matt Joyner (matt.joyner@pepperdine.edu)
Associate Professor of Biology
Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine (Kinesiology with an emphasis in biomechanics)

Pepperdine University's Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, located in Malibu, California, invites applications for an appointment as Visiting Assistant Professor or Visiting Instructor of Sports Medicine for the 2023-2024 academic year beginning August 1, 2023. With successful performance, the appointment may be renewed for subsequent academic years. Applicants who have completed a Ph.D. in kinesiology or in an equivalent field, with an emphasis in biomechanics, by August 1, 2023 are desired; however, candidates who have completed an M.S. degree and have prior teaching experience in biomechanics and functional anatomy will be considered.

Successful candidates must have demonstrated ability for teaching undergraduate coursework in biomechanics and functional anatomy, with ability to teach in other areas in the program, e.g., human anatomy, introductory statistics and research methods. A well-equipped biomechanics laboratory is available for teaching and research. Additionally, opportunities for scholarly collaboration exist with faculty in sports medicine, physics, biology, and computer science.

Successful candidates will demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian values of the University and the mission of Seaver College. Located near Los Angeles in Southern California, Pepperdine University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute through their teaching, research, and service to the diversity and excellence of the University and our surrounding community.

The salary for this appointment will range from $64,584 to $68,000 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.

Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2023. Please submit all application materials at: apply.interfolio.com/121555 A background check is required as a condition of employment.

Any inquiries about this position should be sent to:

Dr. Cooker Storm (cooker.storm@pepperdine.edu)
Program Coordinator for Sports Medicine 
Pepperdine University, Seaver College

 

Religion and Philosophy Division

Please check back for employment opportunities in the Religion and Philosophy division.

 

Social Science Division

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics

The Social Science Division of the Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University invites applications for a one-year visiting assistant professor position in Economics to begin Fall 2023. We seek candidates who are able to teach undergraduate courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory as well as undergraduate upper-division courses in their specialties. Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Economics (although candidates who are ABD will also be considered), an active scholarly agenda, and a commitment to teaching excellence in a Christian liberal arts environment.

Applicants must have an active commitment to the Christian mission of the University and the mission of Seaver College and provide a thoughtful reflection on their willingness to support the mission in their application materials. We encourage applications from candidates who will enrich the diversity of our faculty and who are committed to supporting an inclusive educational environment.

The salary for this appointment will range from $70,000 to $95,000 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.

Please submit all application materials at apply.interfolio.com/121868. Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. A background check is required as a condition of employment.

Contact:
Dr. Robert E. Williams, Jr. (robert.williams@pepperdine.edu)
Seaver College, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263