Assistant/Associate Professor of Physiology

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Position Title Assistant/Associate Professor of Physiology FLSA Department Office Of Academic Affairs Job Summary

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine invites applications for a faculty position in Physiology at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. This position offers an opportunity to join a growing biomedical sciences team and contribute to the development, delivery, assessment, and continuous improvement of physiology instruction within an innovative, integrated medical curriculum.

This position offers a unique opportunity for an educator with expertise in physiology and strong potential for growth as a medical educator across organ-based systems courses. The successful candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and student-centered learning, along with a strong commitment to teaching excellence, student success, inclusive excellence, and the preparation of future physicians. We welcome applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including those with experience in undergraduate, graduate, health professions, or medical education settings, as well as those outside traditional medical school environments; prior medical school teaching experience is not required.

The faculty member will collaborate with biomedical science and clinical colleagues to develop clinically relevant physiology and pathophysiology content, facilitate active learning, contribute to assessment development, mentor students, and support XOCOM's mission to advance health equity through medical education. Candidates with emerging teaching experience and strong potential to grow into future educational leadership roles are encouraged to apply.

As XOCOM advances through the LCME accreditation process and prepares to welcome its first students, this role provides a meaningful opportunity to help shape foundational biomedical sciences education at a mission-driven institution committed to inclusive excellence, innovation, and student success.

About XOCOM

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine represents a groundbreaking partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana, a national leader in educating African American students who go on to complete medical school - a distinction the institution has held for many decades, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest academic health system operating more than 45 hospitals and sponsoring over 30 ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs. As the fifth allopathic HBCU medical school nationally and the only one in the Gulf South, XOCOM partners with Ochsner Health, which treats more than 1.5 million patients annually.

Opportunity Highlights

• Join the founding biomedical sciences faculty before students arrive;
• Contribute to the development, design, and implementation of the physiology and pathophysiology curriculum from the ground up, with the opportunity to shape foundational biomedical sciences education;
• Collaborate with biomedical sciences and clinical faculty to build an innovative, integrated curriculum that bridges basic science and clinical practice;
• Map physiology learning objectives to the broader medical school curriculum;
• Teach broadly across physiology and pathophysiology, contributing to organ-system content areas (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and nervous systems) based on expertise and curricular need;
• Utilize cutting-edge instructional technologies to enhance student learning;
• Develop and facilitate large- and small-group sessions using active learning methodologies such as Case-Based Learning and Team-Based Learning;
• Partner with clinical faculty to design clinically relevant physiology content and cases that emphasize foundational concepts and real-world application;
• Contribute to high-quality assessment practices, including development of NBME-style questions and assessment tools with appropriate faculty support;
• Develop innovative teaching methods tailored to diverse student populations and learning styles, including remediation strategies for struggling learners;
• Participate in continuous quality improvement of courses and assessments;
• Mentor and support medical students, including learners from diverse backgrounds, in physiology applications;
• Engage in scholarship, including educational, physiology-focused, or discipline-based research;
• Serve on committees and contribute to the academic mission of the medical school as appropriate;
• Join a mission-driven institution with a proven track record of supporting underrepresented students in medicine;
• Work alongside biomedical sciences and clinical faculty in a collaborative, multidisciplinary teaching environment; and
• Develop as an educator and, for qualified candidates, pursue leadership opportunities such as Course Director or curriculum roles.

Community Information

New Orleans, LA, is an iconic Southern city renowned for its vibrant music, diverse cuisine, stunning architecture, rich Cajun and Creole cultural influences, and the legendary Mardi Gras celebration. Residents of the Big Easy are infused with a resilient and welcoming spirit that celebrates eccentricity. US News ranks New Orleans as the Best US City to Live and Retire in America.

• Excellent Livability Score from Area Vibes with A+ grades for Amenities, Commute, and Health & Safety;
• Ranked a Best City for Young Professionals in America by Niche;
• Renowned for its rich cultural heritage and known as the birthplace of jazz.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (MD, DO, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) with specific training/experience in Physiology;
• Experience or demonstrated potential for effective teaching in large-group, small-group, laboratory, case-based, or other active learning settings;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, including partnership with diverse stakeholders such as basic science and clinical faculty
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to contribute positively to a collegial and team-oriented environment;
• Commitment to inclusive excellence, student success, mentorship, and the mission of Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching physiology, pathophysiology, or related biomedical science content to medical, graduate, health professions, or undergraduate learners;
• Experience contributing to organ-system teaching in areas such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and nervous systems;
• Experience using active learning strategies such as case-based learning, team-based learning, simulation, or flipped-classroom instruction;
• Experience developing learning objectives, instructional materials, clinical cases, assessments, or curriculum maps;
• Familiarity with medical education assessment practices, including clinical vignette-based or NBME-style item writing.

Special Requirements Summary

• Experience contributing to integrated foundational science or organ-system courses;
• Experience mentoring students or supporting learners from diverse backgrounds;
• Evidence of scholarly productivity or potential for scholarly contributions in biomedical science, medical education, physiology education, or a related field;
• Prior medical school teaching, course leadership, or LCME-related curriculum experience.

Work Hours

Full-Time

KSA's

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number F193P Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 08/01/2026 Position End Date (if temporary) Posting Date 07/21/2026 Application Review Date 07/21/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Qualified candidates are invited to apply using Xavier's online application site by logging in to https://jobs.xula.edu. Please submit the following materials:

Enter required documentations here:

(1) A cover letter emphasizing qualifications for this position;

(2) a comprehensive CV;

(3) a statement of teaching philosophy;

(4) a statement of scholarly interests that outlines a scholarship agenda;

Questions about the position should be directed to the committee chair, Dr. Kelly Quesnelle ( KQuesnel@xocom.xula.edu).

Xavier University of Louisiana is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment that supports equity, broad perspectives, and academic excellence. The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine is especially interested in exceptionally well-qualified applicants who will contribute through their research, teaching, and service to an inclusive and vibrant academic community. Screening of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.xula.edu/postings/3893

About Xavier

About Xavier

Founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana is the only Catholic Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Located in New Orleans, the ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Xavier University of Louisiana's current enrollment is 3,419. Of these, 2,693 are undergraduates and 205 are graduate students enrolled in Masters and Doctoral programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, there are 518 students enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, which offers the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies, the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Doctor of Pharmacy. Xavier's student body is 80% African American, with approximately 37% from Louisiana, primarily from the New Orleans area. The balance comes from 42 other states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and several countries.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents

• Resume
• Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation
• Media File
• Portfolio
• Research Philosophy
• Other