Open Rank - Clinical Faculty - Clinical Sciences (Optometry)

Department: Clinical
SciencesSalary: Commensurate with experience

Description:

The University of Houston's College of Optometry invites applications for open-rank, non-tenure-track Clinical Faculty positions in the Department of Clinical Sciences. We seek outstanding optometrists with a commitment to excellence in patient care, clinical education, and the advancement of evidence-based optometric practice.

Successful candidates will join a collaborative team of clinical educators, clinician-scientists, and vision researchers dedicated to preparing the next generation of optometrists. Faculty will contribute to the College's professional education and clinical service programs, with opportunities for clinical research, scholarship, and community engagement.

We welcome candidates with broad clinical experience as well as those with specialized expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Neuro-optometric care and vision rehabilitation
• Anterior segment disease, including dry eye and ocular surface

disorders

• Specialty contact lenses and myopia management
• Pediatrics, binocular vision, strabismus, and amblyopia
• Posterior segment ocular disease
• Sports vision, vision therapy, and visual performance

Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in clinical teaching and the integration of foundational science, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based patient care. We particularly value individuals who bring innovative approaches to clinical education, specialized patient care, and collaborative clinical practice.

Clinical and Educational Opportunities:

The College offers a dynamic academic clinical environment supporting comprehensive and specialty eye care, professional education, and translational research.

Faculty have opportunities to:

• Provide patient care and supervise optometry students in

comprehensive and specialty clinical services.

• Participate in the development and delivery of clinical

education, including case-based teaching, clinical reasoning, and competency assessment.

• Collaborate with basic and clinical scientists on patient-based

investigations, clinical trials, and translational research.

• Contribute to community-based clinical programs and initiatives

designed to expand access to eye care.

• Participate in interprofessional education and collaborative

healthcare activities.

The College's established clinical programs and patient population provide opportunities to connect clinical teaching with advances in biomedical vision research and contemporary patient care.

Faculty Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide high-quality, evidence-based patient care within the

College's clinical programs.

• Supervise, teach, and mentor Doctor of Optometry students in

clinical settings.

• Contribute to clinical instruction, assessment, and the

development of students' clinical judgment and professional competencies.

• Participate in the coordination and improvement of clinical

education in collaboration with other faculty and academic leadership.

• Engage in academic service and contribute to the College's

clinical, educational, and community missions.

• Participate in clinical scholarship, research, or professional

activities appropriate to the candidate's expertise and interests.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• An earned Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.
• Eligibility for optometric licensure in the State of Texas.
• Demonstrated clinical competence in comprehensive optometric care

or a relevant clinical specialty.

• Experience or demonstrated potential in clinical teaching,

supervision, and student mentorship.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills,

with a commitment to excellence in professional education and patient care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a postgraduate residency or fellowship, or

equivalent relevant clinical, academic, or professional experience.

• Advanced clinical expertise in one or more of the specialty areas

identified above.

• Experience teaching in an academic clinical setting and applying

evidence-based approaches to clinical education.

• Experience in interdisciplinary or interprofessional

collaborative practice.

• Participation in clinical research, scholarly activities,

professional leadership, or community-based healthcare programs.

Faculty Appointment:

These are open-rank, non-tenure-track faculty positions in the
Department of Clinical Sciences. Appointments may be made at the
Clinical Assistant, Clinical Associate, or Clinical Full Professor level.

Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and professional accomplishments.

Application Process:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For fullest consideration, applications should be received by February 15, 2027.

Applicants should submit:

1. Cover letter describing their clinical expertise, teaching interests, and potential contributions to the Department of
Clinical Sciences.

2. Curriculum vitae.

3. Statement of teaching philosophy or personal statement.

4. Names and contact information for three professional references.

Questions regarding these positions may be directed to:

Dr. David Berntsen

Chair, Department of Clinical Sciences

DBerntsen@central.uh.edu

Dr. Geunyoung Yoon

Faculty Search Committee Chair

gyoon2@central.uh.edu

About the University of Houston College of
Optometry:

The University of Houston College of Optometry is internationally recognized for excellence in professional optometric education, biomedical vision research, and evidence-based clinical care. Its comprehensive and specialty clinical programs provide opportunities for faculty to integrate clinical practice, teaching, and research while improving individual wellness and public health.

Located in Houston, the College benefits from a varied patient population, a strong interdisciplinary research environment, and proximity to the Texas Medical Center.

For more information, visit www.opt.uh.edu.

Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of
Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal
Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.