Department: Clinical Sciences
Salary: 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:
- Cover letter describing their clinical expertise, teaching interests, and potential contributions to the Department of Clinical Sciences.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Statement of teaching philosophy or personal statement.
- 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.
