Assistant Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

University of Rhode Island•Kingston, RI

42d

About The Position

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for an academic year (9 month), tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. URI, the top public university in New England, is a land and sea grant research university located in Kingston, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car, bus, and rail about 40 minutes from Providence, an hour from Boston, and 3 hours from New York City. The Cell and Molecular Biology Department has 14 full-time tenure-track faculty members, three full-time clinical faculty, two full-time teaching faculty, and 2 teaching laboratory coordinators. CMB faculty conduct impactful research and offer educational programs, training, and services for undergraduate and graduate students that align with Biomedical Sciences, Human Health, Infectious Disease, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics. The CMB program is highly interdisciplinary in nature and trains students to succeed in diverse career trajectories related to biomedical, environmental, and data sciences. Research programs of CMB faculty routinely incorporate cross-disciplinary, genetic, biochemical, cellular, and structural approaches to investigate fundamental aspects of all known forms of life. Our department has over 240 undergraduates majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (B.S.), Biotechnology (B.S.) or Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.) and offers courses for many undergraduates across campus. Our faculty mentor graduate students enrolled in thesis-based research at both M.S. and Ph.D. levels in the Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program. As the flagship university of the Ocean State, URI has a vibrant community of students, staff, and faculty focused on cell and molecular research with ample opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. In CELS, faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences conduct research on various aspects of biological sciences from genes to ecosystems, and the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science contributes expertise in marine aquaculture and ecosystem management. In the College of Pharmacy, faculty in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences advance scientific discovery in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields toward a greater understanding of human health. In the College of Arts and Sciences, faculty in the Department of Chemistry conduct research with strengths in biologically-relevant areas. Faculty research interests at URI are supported by several state-of-the-art core research facilities across campus, which provide training and access to scientific instrumentation. We invite exceptionally creative candidates with research strengths in cell and molecular biology addressing significant biological problems. Candidates with specific expertise in microbiology and/or infectious diseases, microbial physiology, or virology, are especially encouraged to apply. Experience in any one of the following broad research areas is preferred: microbial genetics, metabolism, cell biology, or pathogenesis. The candidate will contribute to departmental teaching of introductory and advanced courses in microbiology, genetics, cell biology, and/or virology and their associated laboratory courses. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a high-quality, nationally recognized independent research program with a strong potential for attracting extramural funding. Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree, a sustained record of exceptional scholarly success, and the promise of future innovative accomplishments within a research framework that utilizes state-of-the-art molecular, genetic, cellular, biochemical, and/or structural methodologies. The candidate is expected to be highly collaborative and able to integrate well with current faculty in the department.

Requirements

Ph.D. or D.Phil. in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences or a related field.
Postdoctoral research experience at time of application.
Record of scholarly achievement as shown by (a) publications related to microbiology and/or infectious disease in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or books, and (b) presentations at scientific meetings.
Potential to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research.
Proficiency in oral communication skills in English.
Proficiency in written communication skills in English.
Commitment to participate in professional service as shown by participation in committees, organizations, or other activities.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to teach microbiology, cell, and/or molecular biology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Demonstrated experience with participation in one or more cellular/molecular biology research projects that will complement and enhance the existing research in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at URI.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with members of diverse groups for excellence in teaching and mentoring.
Evidence of applying for and/or obtaining research funding through competitive grant programs (including graduate or postdoctoral fellowships and grants).

Responsibilities

Establish a vibrant research program supported by extramural funding in the areas of microbiology and/or infectious diseases. Notable areas for potential scholarship include, but are not limited to, microbial metabolism, physiology, and genetics, host-pathogen/host microbe interactions, virology, and/or infectious diseases.
Develop a sustained record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Teach undergraduate lecture and/or laboratory courses in introductory and advanced courses in microbiology, genetics, cell biology, and/or virology and contribute to graduate degree programs at the University of Rhode Island, with an emphasis on experiential learning an applying inclusive, evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population.
Provide advising, training, and research mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
Engage in service activities as well as governance within the Department, College, University, and broader scholarly community.
Perform other duties as required.

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