Assistant Professor, Forensic Studies

As Assistant Professor of Forensic Studies with a scholar-practitioner background, you will teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as applicable; be involved in course and/or curriculum development; conduct research/scholarship; participate on College and University committees and/or initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned.

This is a full-time faculty position in Forensic Studies that invites applications for an Assistant Professor with specialization in latent prints, ballistics, bloodstain pattern analysis, DNA sampling, forensic photography, medico-legal death investigation, and/or crime scene investigation. The role is rooted in a social science and forensic framework that values the integration of experiential learning, applied research, and scholar-practitioner engagement. It draws upon technology from the biological and physical sciences. Instruction is grounded in statistical and methodological rigor, that can be applied to crime scene investigation, autopsy findings, and medico-legal death investigations.

The successful candidate will contribute to both undergraduate and graduate instruction in forensic studies, with specialization in quantitative analysis and its impact on the lines of evidence that emerge from crime scenes, autopsy, and medico-legal death investigations. This includes teaching statistics for forensic applications and guiding students in the development of research-driven projects that integrate crime scene fieldwork, such as latent print analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic photography, and photogrammetry as well as autopsy findings with data analysis and ethical interpretation of those data from a forensics perspective.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach both quantitative and qualitative analysis using platforms such as R, SPSS, and other relevant tools. The position supports FGCU’s mission to deliver ethically grounded, interdisciplinary forensic education that prepares students for real-world casework, collaborative field practice, and evidence-based decision-making.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
• Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned with curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
• Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
• Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and individual support to students.
• Utilizes the University's learning management system and other instructional technologies effectively.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum development and program advancement.
• Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are met.
• Establishes and maintains an active research program, including opportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
• Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and grantsmanship.
• Engages in continued professional development and maintains professional skills appropriate to rank and field.
• Actively participates in departmental, college, and university committees and meetings.
• Contributes to community, institutional, and professional service in support of the University’s mission.
• Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning assessment, and required training activities.
• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
• Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and excellence in all professional activities.
• Complies with University policies, procedures, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the growth of the Forensic Studies program, including expanding undergraduate experiential learning opportunities, advancing student and faculty scholarship, and developing funding streams that enable student publication and participation in professional conferences.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Criminalistics, Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Forensic Science, or Forensic Studies or from a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation with a forensics focus will also be considered.
• Experience with forensic casework and interfacing with various law enforcement and forensic practitioners.
• ABD will be considered if degree is conferred by August 7, 2026. If successful candidate is ABD, appointment will be made at a Lecturer level on a fixed contract.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An M.D. or D.O. with specialized training and professional experience in forensic pathology, trauma interpretation, or medico-legal death investigation, and can contribute meaningfully to experiential and interdisciplinary forensic instruction.  Experience integrating forensic case documentation including the collection and documentation of multiple lines of evidence from crime scenes and digital platforms with statistical analyses that support conclusions.
• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in a few of the following areas: Forensic statistics and quantitative reasoning (including R or similar platforms), Forensic photography and documentation; Bloodstain pattern analysis and latent print examination; Qualitative methods and mixed methods research design from a forensic perspective.
• Experience integrating real world casework, field documentation, or lab based analysis into a curriculum such as mentoring students in research-driven projects at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience with forensic standards from ANSI/ASB and NIST as well as relevant Scientific Working Groups, including; SWGDAM-DNA Analysis Methods; SWGDE-Digital Evidence; SWGDOC-Document Examination; SWGDMI-Medicolegal Death Investigation; SWGFAST-Friction Ridge; SWGIT-Imaging Technology.
• Experience with State or Federal statutory frameworks and inter-agency protocols.
• Record of scholarly activity or external funding in forensic studies, forensic science, or applied criminalistics.
• Engagement in professional organizations (e.g., AAFS, IAI, ASCLD) Demonstrated success in mentoring students through applied research or practitioner-led projects.
• Experience with and commitment to the use of instructional technology, a willingness to cultivate an interdisciplinary perspective; and a demonstrated commitment to professional development. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of forensic science and forensic studies  principles, including bloodstain pattern analysis, latent print examination, forensic photography, and crime scene documentation.
• Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative methods, including the use of platforms such as R, GIS, and other analytical tools for forensic data interpretation.
• Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the discipline(s).
• Understanding how to use digital and interactive technologies for efficiently and effectively achieving specific learning goals.
• Knowledge of critical thinking processes and understanding how to help learners develop high level questioning skills.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of inquiry-based instructional models and strategies.
• Knowledge and ability to use technology in various teaching modalities (e.g. Face-to-face, synchronous online or asynchronous online).
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and outside the University in the development and delivery of instruction, resulting in improved student learning.
• Ability to demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise and instructional versatility across forensic science domains, grounded in a social science framework that emphasizes experiential learning and applied research.
• Ability and experience designing and delivering curriculum at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with emphasis on real-world casework, field documentation, and lab-based analysis.
• Ability to mentor students in research-driven projects that integrate statistical reasoning, spatial analysis, and ethical forensic practice.
• Knowledge with forensic standards and protocols from relevant Scientific Working Groups (SWGs), including: SWGDAM (DNA), SWGDE (Digital Evidence), SWGFAST (Latent Prints), SWGDRUG (Drugs), SWGDMI (Medicolegal Death Investigation), SWGTOX (Toxicology), SWGIT (Imaging)
• Ability to collaborate with scholar-practitioners, law enforcement professionals, and interdisciplinary faculty to enhance curriculum relevance and student engagement.
• Ability to commitment of ethical forensic education, donor stewardship, and evidence-based decision-making aligned with FGCU’s institutional mission.
• Ability to apply skills and case experience while providing testimony in court.
• Skill in synthesizing complex forensic findings into audience-tailored reports, presentations, and instructional materials that meet ANSI/ASB, NIST, and accreditation standards.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Statement of Research
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as “open until filled”; however, applications received by January 31, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.