Assistant Professor - Biology - Tenure Track

UCM • UCMO - Warrensburg, MO

7d

About The Position

The University of Central Missouri’s Biology Program seeks an Assistant Professor of Biology for a tenure-track position beginning in Fall 2027. This is a 9-month appointment involving teaching, research, scholarship, and service. The faculty member will teach courses across the department’s curriculum, including a general education course, a major’s course in population, conservation, or evolutionary genetics, and a graduate course in their area of expertise. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded, collaborative research program involving undergraduate and graduate students and pursue genetic or genomic research questions fundamental to population or evolutionary biology.

The position also includes academic advising, internship supervision, university committee service, and curriculum development as needed. The candidate will complement existing departmental strengths and contribute to the university’s student-centered educational mission through quality teaching, advising, collegiality, communication, research, service, and professional development. Faculty are expected to be available during contractual employment to assist and respond to students, colleagues, and institutional needs.

The successful candidate will have access to renovated teaching spaces and research facilities, including remodeled laboratories, a registered herbarium, a wildlife research lab, a prairie research plot, and the UCM Pertle Springs Wildlife and Recreation Area. The Biology program serves approximately 500 majors and has approximately 17 full-time faculty, one adjunct faculty member, and three full-time staff.

Requirements

• PhD in Biological Sciences or a related area from an accredited institution; ABD candidates may be considered, but the PhD must be completed by the start date.
• Peer-reviewed publications addressing genetic or genomic research questions in population, conservation, or evolutionary biology.
• Clear written and oral communication skills and organizational skills.
• Experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• University or college teaching experience.
• Experience teaching conservation genetics, population genomics, or evolutionary genetics to undergraduate students.
• 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 extramurally funded research.
• Assessment knowledge and experience using active-learning strategies in the classroom.
• Interest in advising student organizations.
• Postdoctoral experience.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses across all levels of the departmental curriculum, including general education, undergraduate major, and graduate courses.
• Prepare courses, design and deliver effective instruction, evaluate and provide timely feedback on student progress, and support student engagement and high-impact practices.
• Keep current in the discipline and in instructional technology through professional development.
• Hold physical and electronic office hours and meet with students outside class.
• Participate in assessment of curriculum and student learning and use feedback to inform curriculum modifications.
• Develop an externally funded, collaborative research program involving undergraduate and graduate students.
• Conduct and disseminate scholarship, including authoring academic writings and presenting work at conferences.
• Advise biology students on academic and non-academic matters, including degree requirements, internships, graduate or professional school options, and career preparation.
• Supervise internships and mentor student research.
• Serve on department, college, and university committees; attend meetings and participate in institutional events, including graduation and convocation.
• Assist with student recruitment and participate in curriculum development as needed.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with students and colleagues and contribute to a collegial environment.
• Support student organizations and promote excellence in them.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and long-term disability coverage.
• Three weeks of accrued sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Retirement benefits.
• Education assistance for the employee, spouse, and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree