Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
Join the Department of Biological Sciences at [$COMPANY_NAME] as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Zoology. You will establish an internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program grounded in organismal biology, while delivering high-impact instruction in vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. The position offers a competitive start-up package, dedicated lab space, and access to core facilities including next-generation sequencing, confocal microscopy, and an AAALAC-accredited animal care program.
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead a vigorous, peer-reviewed funded research program that advances zoological knowledge through integrative approaches (e.g., genomics, ecology, behavior, physiology, or evolution)
- Publish findings in high-impact journals such as Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Journal of Zoology, and Integrative & Comparative Biology
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses including Vertebrate Zoology, Invertebrate Zoology, and specialized electives aligned with your expertise
- Mentor B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. students, supervising thesis projects from hypothesis design through statistical analysis and manuscript preparation
- Contribute to departmental service: curriculum committees, animal-care oversight, grant-writing workshops, and outreach initiatives with local museums and conservation NGOs
- Secure extramural funding from NSF, NIH, or equivalent agencies; manage budgets, IACUC protocols, and multi-institutional collaborations
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Zoology, Biology, Ecology, Evolution, or closely related field conferred by appointment start date
- Minimum one year of postdoctoral experience conducting organism-centered research with peer-reviewed publications in zoological journals
- Demonstrated potential to develop an independent, extramurally funded research program evidenced by grant submissions or co-authored awards
- Experience teaching or guest-lecturing in zoology, biology, or related courses, with evidence of effective pedagogy (e.g., course-evaluation metrics, teaching awards)
- Proficiency with modern zoological techniques such as molecular phylogenetics, geometric morphometrics, field-sampling design, or GIS-based habitat modeling
Preferred Qualifications
- Record of first- or senior-authored publications on vertebrate or invertebrate systems in journals with JCR impact factor ≥ 3.0
- Active research permits or collaborations with institutions in biodiversity hotspots, zoos, or wildlife management agencies
- Expertise in bioinformatics pipelines (QIIME2, R, Python) for metabarcoding, transcriptomics, or population genomics datasets
- Experience mentoring underrepresented students through programs such as McNair Scholars or NSF REU
- Certifications in animal-care training (AALAS, wildlife-handling permits, or scuba for marine taxa)
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- Molecular laboratories: DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, Sanger and Illumina sequencing library preparation
- Microscopy & imaging: confocal, SEM, micro-CT, and stereomicroscopy with image analysis in ImageJ/FIJI
- Statistical & computational tools: R (vegan, lme4), PRIMER-E, ArcGIS, MaxEnt, and high-performance computing clusters
- Field equipment: PIT tagging, VHF/GPS telemetry, drone-based surveys, and ecological census techniques
- Courseware: Learning management systems (Canvas, Blackboard), RStudio Cloud, and virtual specimen databases (iDigBio, VertNet)
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Collaborative mindset demonstrated through multi-disciplinary grants, co-authored papers, or joint field expeditions
- Commitment to inclusive pedagogy: integrating culturally responsive case studies, active-learning modules, and universal design principles
- Clear record of ethical conduct in animal research, adhering to ASAB/ABS guidelines and 3Rs principles
- Enthusiasm for public engagement—museum talks, citizen-science programs, or social-media science communication
- Adaptability to teach in hybrid/online formats and to mentor both field-oriented and data-driven graduate projects
Benefits and Perks
Salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE] commensurate with experience; 9-month appointment with summer salary opportunities via grants.
- Start-up package: ≥ $350 k for equipment, personnel, and fieldwork; additional ASPIRE internal seed grants available
- Benefits: comprehensive medical/dental, 403(b) with 10% employer contribution after one year, tuition remission for dependents, and relocation allowance
- Professional development: travel funds for conferences (SICB, WDA, ESEB), internal workshops on NSF CAREER proposal writing, and access to sponsored research staff for grant editing
- Work-life balance: generous leave policies, on-site childcare, and proximity to diverse ecosystems for research and recreation
Location
This position is based at [$COMPANY_LOCATION] with opportunities for fieldwork at affiliated research stations in tropical and temperate biomes. A hybrid schedule is negotiable for course preparation and data-analysis semesters, but in-person instruction and lab supervision are required during academic terms.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status.
To apply, submit a single PDF containing (1) cover letter, (2) CV, (3) research statement (≤ 3 pp), (4) teaching philosophy (≤ 2 pp), and (5) contact information for three referees via the online portal. Review of applications begins 1 October and continues until the position is filled.
