We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Optometry’s student body as an Associate Professor beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The non-tenured faculty member will have teaching duties in both the didactic and clinical components of the curriculum. Responsibilities include teaching in the preclinic and clinical areas within the School of Optometry and developing an Optometry teaching clinic within the UT Health RGV community health network. This role involved close collaboration with the Division of Health Affairs and Community Health Partnership Programs. The faculty member will serve as the point of contact at the school of optometry for student community health education, working with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to support a clinical presence within the community. Providing students with clinical education to the community and underserved populations of the Rio Grande Valley. The faculty member will serve as a a point of contact for referrals from alumni and optometric practitioners, bridging communication with the Division of Institutional Advancement, Division of Governmental Relations, and UT Health RGV. This individual will have an essential role on the UTRGV School of Optometry clinical team.

This position will have teaching duties within the academic program, to include clinical science. The faculty member will provide input and oversight into the curricular clinical development within the School of Optometry and will work closely with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Dean to construct a forward-thinking clinical curriculum. Periodic clinic duties in the Vision Center may also be assigned prior to matriculating the first student cohort.

The position will report directly to the Dean of the School of Optometry.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be qualified to an hold Associate Professor faculty appointment,
• Evidence of work in community health and associated scholarly activity
• Demonstrated success in securing funding, mentoring professional students, and engaging in service.
• The applicant must possess an Optometric Degree (OD) and residency certification in a subspecialty of Optometry.
• Licensed or eligible for optometry licensure in the state of Texas.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

Celebrating its 10th anniversary during the 2025-2026 academic year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is on a mission to transform the Rio Grande Valley, the Americas, and the world. As one of the country’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Seal of Excelencia certified, UTRGV has earned national recognition for its academic excellence, social mobility, and student success since opening in Fall 2015. Ranked among the Best Colleges for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars in 2025 by Washington Monthly (#7 nationally; #1 in Texas), UTRGV continues to break enrollment records, launch new academic and athletics programs, and progress toward achieving R1 research status.

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