University of Central Missouri · Missouri · posted today
Assistant Professor of Biology - Tenure Track The University of Central Missouri’s Biology Program is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Biology to begin in Fall 2027. This position includes teaching, research, and service. Teaching responsibilities will include a course at all levels of departmental curriculum, including but not limited to a general education course, a major’s course in population, conservation, or evolutionary genetics, and a graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The development of an externally funded, collaborative research program involving undergraduate and graduate students is expected. The candidate will also be expected to help academically advise biology students, supervise internships, serve on university committees, and participate in curriculum development as needed. The successful candidate will complement existing departmental strengths and address genetic/genomic research questions fundamental to population or evolutionary biology. The candidate will have access to renovated teaching spaces for both didactic or active style instruction and can extend the classroom through research in recently remodeled laboratory spaces, a registered herbarium, a wildlife research lab, a prairie research plot, and the UCM Pertle Springs Wildlife and Recreation Area. Faculty within the College of Health, Science, and Technology at University of Central Missouri support the university’s mission of providing student-centered, quality education and are committed to the success of students. This includes quality teaching, advising, collegiality and communication. In addition, faculty provide service to their program, department and university, engage in research, scholarship, and professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage, and respond to students, colleagues, departmental, college, and institutional needs. Examples of Duties Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is quality teaching in their respective content areas, regardless of delivery format. This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to the success of students as well as ongoing assessment of curriculum and of student learning. • Keep current in your discipline. • Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices. • Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students. • Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes. • Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities. • Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours. • Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback. Scholarship/Professional Development - The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area. • Authoring academic writings. • Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences. • Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level. Service - An expectation of a professional faculty member is to serve the department, college, and university community. • Attending department/college/university meetings • Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution. • Assisting with student recruitment. • Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies. Advising - A primary responsibility of faculty is the proper, timely, competent and professional advising of students. • Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s). • Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation). • Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations. Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels. Timely communication with students supports other faculty responsibilities (teaching, advising). • Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university. • Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines. Typical Qualifications Required Qualifications: The successful candidate should possess the following credentials, experience, and documented achievements appropriate for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor: • A PhD degree in Biological Sciences, or a related area from an accredited institution; ABD will be considered, but the PhD degree must be completed by the start date. • A record of peer-reviewed publications addressing genetic/genomic research questions in the field of population, conservation, or evolutionary biology. • Demonstration of clear written and oral communication, as well as organizational skills. 4. Experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Preferred Qualifications: • University/College teaching experience. • Demonstrated experience with teaching conservation genetics, population genomics, or evolutionary genetics to undergraduate students. • Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring student research in conservation genetics, population genomics, evolutionary genetics, or related fields, using relevant molecular and bioinformatic approaches. • Evidence of involvement in extramural funded research. • Evidence of assessment knowledge and experience utilizing active-learning strategies in the classroom. • Interest in advising student organizations. • Postdoctoral experience. Supplemental Information The University of Central Missouri, located 35 miles southeast of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, is a public comprehensive university with approximately 10,000 students providing a small-college learning environment coupled with large-university opportunities. We offer baccalaureate of science degrees in: biology (eight areas of emphasis), medical laboratory science, and radiological technology, as well as master’s of science degree in biology. The Biology program has approximately 17 full-time faculty, one adjunct faculty, and three full time staff to serve approximately 500 total majors. The faculty and staff are committed to excellence and innovation in teaching, service, and scholarship. Information about the department can be found at https://www.ucmo.edu/college-of-health-science-and-technology/department-of-biological-and-clinical-sciences/ To Apply: Candidates must complete an on-line faculty profile found at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ucmo and apply to position 998611. Candidates should submit the following documentation: • A cover letter that outlines the applicant's interest, qualifications, and experience for the position (2 pg max). • Teaching and mentoring philosophy (including evidence of teaching effectiveness; 2 pg max). • A statement that describes your past and potential contributions to recruitment, retention, and success of a diverse student body (2 pg max). • Research plan (2 pg max). • A curriculum vitae. • Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts. • Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of a minimum of three professional references. Letters of recommendation and official undergraduate and graduate transcripts showing degree completions will be required later in the search process. Review of applications begins November 20, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The desired starting date for this appointment is Fall 2027. This is a 9-month appointment. Direct inquiries regarding this position to: Dr. Dawn Pauling, Search Committee Chair, telephone (660) 543-8027 or e-mail: pauling@ucmo.edu.
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