Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology

Ball State University • Muncie, IN

1d • $48,000 - $62,000

About The Position

The Department of Biology at Ball State University seeks a full-time, non-tenure-track Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology for a three-year fixed position, renewed annually. The role combines teaching, postdoctoral research, and limited service, and is intended for recent PhD graduates or junior postdocs interested in careers at primarily undergraduate institutions or R2 universities. The position begins August 16, 2027, and is a 9-month faculty appointment eligible for benefits.

The successful candidate will primarily teach in the microbiology concentration, including general microbiology and other undergraduate or graduate courses in their area of expertise. Additional assignments may include Introductory Biology. The candidate will serve as instructor of record for multiple classes, receive teaching evaluations and feedback, and have access to the Department of Online and Strategic Learning to support teaching improvement.

The candidate will receive a modest start-up package, laboratory space, and one course release per semester to develop a research program engaging undergraduate and master's students in novel research. The department guarantees support for one teaching assistant for all three years. Research may involve an independent program, continued collaboration with a PhD advisor or previous colleague, collaboration with Ball State faculty, or a combination. Candidates are encouraged to seek external funding, including local funding and federal funding beginning in year two.

The candidate will participate in departmental activities and committees, may participate in Search & Selection, train undergraduate and master's students, serve on and chair thesis committees, receive faculty mentorship, and have the potential to publish peer-reviewed articles with student co-authors. Candidates must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. Applications are due December 27, 2026, at 12:01 AM.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate in Biology or a related field from an accredited college or university by the date of appointment.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching, demonstrated by a teaching statement and/or teaching evaluations.
• Competency in current laboratory research concepts and approaches.
• Current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated teaching ability in Biology using student-centered learning techniques.
• Evidence of teaching ability or interest, such as student or peer evaluation summaries or other activities indicating an interest in teaching and mentoring students.
• Evidence of scholarly activity, such as peer-reviewed publications.
• Research across the microbial sciences; areas of interest include virology, environmental and ecological microbiology, medical or clinical microbiology, microbial genetics and genomics, applied or industrial microbiology, and microbiome dynamics.
• Interdisciplinary research approaches are strongly encouraged.
• Interest in pursuing a career at a primarily undergraduate institution or R2 university.

Responsibilities

• Teach general microbiology and other undergraduate or graduate courses in the candidate’s area of expertise; assignments may also include Introductory Biology.
• Serve as instructor of record for multiple classes and use evaluations and feedback to improve teaching.
• Develop a research program involving undergraduate and master's students in novel research.
• Engage in microbiology research, potentially through an independent program, existing collaborations, collaborations with Ball State faculty, or a combination of these.
• Participate in departmental committees and activities.
• Train undergraduate and master's students.
• Serve on thesis committees and chair thesis committees.
• Pursue external funding, including local funding and, beginning in year two, federal funding.
• Potentially publish peer-reviewed scientific articles with undergraduate and graduate student co-authors.

Benefits

• 12 paid sick days per year.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Affordable health and dental insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Coverage of 90 percent of a child’s or children's undergraduate tuition at Ball State University.
• Eligible participants in the MakeMyMove relocation program may receive up to $5,000 cash for relocation, co-working space, access to the Ball State University Library, a one-semester Rec Fit pass, discounted Ball State Athletics tickets, help connecting to local resources, an opportunity for board participation, and a six-month YMCA membership.

What This Job Offers

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