Assistant or Associate Professor - Department of Biology

Howard University

Department of Biology

The Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for five full-time tenure-line positions at the ranks of Assistant or (tenured) Associate Professor, beginning August 2023. The academic rank and tenure status will depend on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. Applicants at the level of Associate Professor must have a record of a well-sustained extramurally funded research program. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups and all those who share our commitment to inclusivity and passion for the strength of our diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. The candidate must have a Ph.D. degree and a record of strong scientific contribution to the relevant field, as demonstrated in peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate for the Assistant Professor position will be expected to have a minimum of 2-3 years of post-doctoral experience, while the Associate Professor position will be expected to be in their early career years in the rank. The five areas we are seeking applicants are:

1. Cell Biology. The candidate must have expertise in cell and developmental biology and/or biochemistry, with an emphasis on such subfields as cancer cell biology, developmental epigenetics, cell growth and development, and cellular biochemistry. Candidates are expected to develop and sustain a competitive research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate research, teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses in cell biology and innate and adaptive immunity, and participate in introductory biology instruction as needed. Candidates with demonstrated experience, publications, effective communication skills, and a passion for working with and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
    
2. Biostatistics/Computational biology. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program in these areas of expertise, interface with Howard University's new Data Science and Cybersecurity Center (DSC2) and collaborate with faculty in enhancing and expanding data science applications within the department and the college. The candidate will be expected to develop and teach courses and mentor students in biostatistics, bioinformatics and computational biology at undergraduate and graduate levels, and participate in introductory biology courses. Candidates with demonstrated experience, a strong publication record, effective communication skills, and a passion for working with and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 
    
3. Ecology and Evolution. Candidates are not limited by taxa in areas including but not limited to micro- and macro-ecological and evolutionary processes, characteristics of and interactions between individuals, populations, communities and the environment, physiological responses to environmental change, population genetics and phylogenetics, relatedness and kin selection, life histories, systematics and taxonomy, conservation genetics, extinction, speciation, adaption, behavior, biodiversity, species abundance, macroecology, population and ecosystem dynamics, and conservation policy. Candidates will be expected to establish and maintain an extramurally funded research program in their area of expertise, mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to teach existing courses in ecology/evolution at undergraduate and graduate levels, participate in teaching introductory biology courses, and develop new upper-level courses as needed. 
    
4. Invertebrate Biology. The successful candidate will be expected to establish an externally funded research program in any area of invertebrate biology including structure, function, ecology, and evolution of the invertebrates, we are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in insects, and other terrestrial arthropods: their macroevolutionary history, taxonomy, morphology, and impact of climate change. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach courses in invertebrate biology at undergraduate and graduate levels, mentor students in invertebrate biology, facilitate the integration of the field into Howard University's new Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies (ES) program and participate in teaching introductory biology and environmental science courses. Candidates with demonstrated experience, publications, strong communication skills, and a passion for working with and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
    
5.   Biology Education, Science Education, or related field.  The successful candidate must display a broad knowledge of the life sciences, be able to integrate the multiple levels of analysis inherent in biology and be able to effectively convey the increasing technological sophistication of this dynamic area of science. The candidate must have demonstrated experience, relevant publications in science education, excellent communication skills, and a passion for working with and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds. Terminal degree should be an Ed.D./PhD in Science Education with specialization in Curriculum and Instruction and Biology. Experts in Biology teaching strategies who can provide science education research-based biology strategies for introductory biology courses and assist professors in creating active-learning environments in biology courses will receive preference.

We seek outstanding applicants with a demonstrated track record of excellence in research and teaching. Successful candidates are expected to develop vigorous, extramurally funded research programs in their areas of expertise, actively participate in the Department's teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Primary teaching responsibilities for this position strongly encourage the creation of classroom experiences that engage students at higher levels of learning, such as synthesis of ideas, concept mapping, and judgment and assessment.  Student advising, as well as a commitment to university, community, and professional service, is also expected. Finally, the successful candidate must possess excellent written and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse audiences. Evidence of interest and success in mentoring underrepresented students is highly desired. 

Howard University, a culturally diverse, comprehensive, research-intensive, and historically Black private university, provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels to students of high academic standing and potential, with particular emphasis on educational opportunities for Black students. Howard University is currently classified as an R2 research university with aspirations and actions underway to achieve R1 status within the next few years. It is a residential campus of approximately 12,000 students located in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.

The Department of Biology currently consists of seventeen faculty members, conducting pure and applied research with specializations in ecology and environment, animal and plant physiology, and evolution and large data analysis. It offers BS and Ph.D. degrees with foci in molecular and cellular biology, ecology and evolution, and anatomy and physiology and is a leading unit in the number of majors in the Natural Science Division.

 Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in Biology from an accredited institution;
• Record of scholarship, teaching, and professional service commensurate with the rank of assistant professor or associate professor;
• Effective communication and organizational skills; and
• Evidence of successful grant writing experience.

Complete applications consist of a single PDF file containing

1) Cover letter addressing qualifications listed above;

2) Current curriculum vita;

3) Two-page statement of research accomplishments, interests and future plans;

4) Two-page statement of teaching experience and philosophy; and

5) Names and contact information for at least three references (four, if applying for tenured Associate Professor) who will provide letters upon request from the search committee.

Completed applications should be addressed to the Chair of the search committee: Dr. Broderick Eribo, and submitted electronically to beribo@howard.edu. Screening will begin on November 10^th, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. The desired starting date is August 16, 2023. Additional details and information can be found at https://biology.howard.edu/

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability, or protected veterans’ status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans’ status, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.