Assistant Professor-Plant Biology

Posting Details

Position Title Assistant Professor-Plant Biology External Link to Posting http://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/19232 College College of Arts and Sciences Admin - 32000 College Dept/School Biology & Marine Biology - 32310 Vacancy Number 16F-351 Position Number 6792 Location of Workplace Main UNCW Campus Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington ( UNCW ) is seeking a nine-month tenure track Assistant Professor in Plant Biology starting August 2021.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute broadly to the Department’s teaching mission at both the graduate and undergraduate level in core areas of plant physiology, biodiversity and other courses depending on individual expertise and departmental needs.

The successful applicant will contribute to departmental and university service, and is expected to maintain an active, extramurally funded research program involving undergraduate and graduate students. Research focus areas we are especially interested in include coastal and wetland plant communities, macro-algae and plant biotechnology.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Biology or related discipline and have postdoctoral experience or other professional teaching/research experience at the time of appointment.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

-Candidates able to complement existing disciplinary strengths, develop regional research and leverage departmental facilities (http://www.uncw.edu/bio/).
-Qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to building and sustaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive academic community (see https://uncw.edu/bio/sand_home.html).

Required Certifications or Licensure

No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology Department supports both an excellent undergraduate program, with an emphasis on hands-on involvement of undergraduates in research and other activities, as well as nationally recognized Master’s programs. We also offer a Ph.D. in Marine Biology that takes advantage of the wide array of local coastal and offshore habitats and the facilities of the Center for Marine Science, located six miles from the main university campus. We have an active faculty involved in a variety of research interests including, but not limited to, molecular biology and systematics, coastal and estuarine ecology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology, and environmental biology.

Modern Biology increasingly impacts the non-scientific world, facilitating solutions to technological, environmental, ethical, philosophical and political issues that are important to society. The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to train the next generation of scientists and educators, and prepare all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles. The department provides an environment in which excellent teaching coupled with diverse research opportunities encourage our faculty to become leaders in their respective disciplines.

Our teaching emphasizes current theories of biological science, knowledge of basic investigative skills, and methods of critical inquiry. Our research programs, in both applied and basic aspects of discovery, value investigations of biological phenomena that impact the quality of life in our region and beyond. We lend our professional expertise to all endeavors that work for the improvement of the human condition and our environment. We believe the importance of modern biological principles must transcend the university classroom and enable our students to contribute as global citizens (https://uncw.edu/bio/about.html).

The department has an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship, and is committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community (see https://uncw.edu/bio/sand_home.html). Graduate curricula in the department include M.S. programs in both Biology and Marine Biology, as well as a Ph.D. program in Marine Biology. Excellent support for research is provided in departmental facilities on campus (http://www.uncw.edu/bio/) and at the CREST Research Park (http://uncw.edu/ CREST /), including the Center for Marine Science, Shellfish Research Hatchery, and Marine Biotechnology Center. Numerous internal funding opportunities are also available at UNCW .

College/School Information

The College of Arts and Sciences is UNCW’s largest academic unit, employing 450 full-time and 150 part-time faculty members and awarding approximately two-thirds of the university’s academic credits. Ours is a comprehensive arts & sciences college comprising the arts, the humanities, the mathematical and natural sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences.
The College’s twenty-five units offer a variety of undergraduate majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, the Bachelor of Music, and the Bachelor of Science. The College also offers a full complement of minors, including interdisciplinary minors such as Africana studies, Asian studies, Forensic studies, Latin America studies, Middle East & Islamic studies, Native-American studies, and Women’s and Gender studies, among others.
Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the College of Arts and Sciences. Each of the College’s departments requires an applied learning experience as a part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning, and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that knowledge to broader, real-world or real disciplinary situations. Through applied learning, students in the College gain direct hands-on experience with the skills of their major fields as an essential part of their preparation for life and career.
In addition to its undergraduate major and minor programs, the College is chiefly responsible for the curriculum that comprises the UNCW’s University Studies Program, through which all UNCW undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first century. The College strives in its undergraduate programs and in its University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, diversity and inclusion, and academic integrity in students while providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen fields. Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, College of Arts and Sciences students will have the necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study, effective citizenship, and meaningful lives.
Graduate degrees awarded in the College of Arts and Sciences include the Master of Arts, the Master of Fine Arts, the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy (Marine Biology and Psychology). In addition, the nationally awarded Graduate Liberal Studies program offers a personalized curriculum of interdisciplinary study leading to the Master of Arts. Post-baccalaureate certificates in Applied Statistics, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Conflict Management and Resolution, Gender Studies and Hispanic Studies are available. Graduate programs in the College are designed to develop intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at the doctoral level.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW ), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Special Notes to Applicants

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts submitted to the university.

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Plant Biology, beginning in August 2021. Candidates must have a Ph.D. and have postdoctoral experience or other professional teaching/research experience at the time of appointment. The successful applicant will contribute to teaching plant physiology, biodiversity and other courses, depending on individual expertise and departmental need. Research focus areas we are especially interested in include coastal and wetland plant communities, macro-algae and plant biotechnology. The successful applicant will also contribute to departmental and university service, and is expected to maintain an active, extramurally funded research program involving undergraduate and graduate students.

Graduate curricula in the department include M.S. programs in both Biology and Marine Biology, as well as a Ph.D. program in Marine Biology. Preference will be given to candidates able to complement existing disciplinary strengths, develop regional research and leverage departmental facilities (http://www.uncw.edu/bio/). Excellent support for research is provided on campus and at the CREST Research Park (http://uncw.edu/ CREST /), including the Center for Marine Science, Shellfish Research Hatchery, and Biotechnology Center. The department has an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship, and is committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. Candidates must have PhD, have postdoctoral experience or other professional teaching/research experience at the time of appointment. Candidates should have strong potential for excellence in research and teaching. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to building and sustaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive academic community (see https://uncw.edu/bio/sand_home.html).

Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on December 14, 2020, the posting closing date. To apply, complete the online application available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/ and by electronically submitting the following documents including:
(1) Cover Letter – a letter of application and brief statements of teaching philosophy and research interests with particular attention to the applicant’s fit to this department.
(2) Teaching Philosophy – brief statement of teaching philosophy
(3) Research Summary – brief statement of research summary
(4) Statement of Diversity and Inclusion – a statement that addresses how their cultural, experiential, and/or academic background contributes to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.
(5) Curriculum vitae. MS Word or Adobe PDF attachments are required.

Please note that a minimum of three professional references are required for all applications. References will be requested during the screening process.

For questions about the position, contact the Search Chair, Dr. Zachary Long (longz@uncw.edu). For questions about the online application process, contact Ms. Lisa Noah (noahl@uncw.edu).

Several other positions are available in the department and dual career couples are welcome to apply; see https://uncw.edu/bio/bambcareers.html.

UNCW Diversity and Inclusion Statement:
In the pursuit of excellence, the University of North Carolina Wilmington actively fosters, encourages, and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Diversity is an educational benefit that enhances the academic experience, and fosters a free exchange of ideas from multiple perspectives.

Diversity includes, but is not limited to race, sex, age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran’s status, gender, educational disadvantage, socio-economic circumstances, language, and history of overcoming adversity.

Purpose of the Biology and Marine Biology diversity statement:
In addition to excellence in teaching and research, the Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW is committed to building an educational environment that promotes equity, inclusion, and diversity. We are therefore interested in faculty who share that commitment, and are willing will engage, through teaching, research, mentoring, leadership, community outreach or service, to promoting campus diversity and equity efforts. In completing your diversity statement, you are welcome to provide your own unique perspectives on past experiences and/or, present skills, and in particular, your future aspirations to enhance diversity in this position. This statement is an integral part of your application package and the committee values and welcomes all voices.

Additional information is on the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion resources webpage: https://uncw.edu/bio/sand_home.html.
More about UNCW Diversity and Inclusion efforts can be found here: https://uncw.edu/diversity/about.html and the Chancellor’s Campus Climate Initiative can be accessed here: https://uncw.edu/campusclimate/ . Resources and events developed by the UNCW Racial Justice Learning Community can be found here: https://uncw.edu/cte/antiracismresources/index.html

Position Type Permanent Job Posting Date 11/13/2020 Job Close Date 12/14/2020 Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Teaching Philosophy
3. Research Summary
4. Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
5. Curriculum Vita

Optional Documents Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).