Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Biology-Pathogen

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Biology-Pathogen

Job Class Code: 10031
FLSA: Exempt
Posting Number: FRGV1433
Location: Edinburg, Texas
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position:
Tenure Status: Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0

Scope of Job:
We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's diverse student body as an Assistant Professor of Biology beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year (start Sept 1, 2023). The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Biology or a related field and an excellent track record in research that indicates a strong potential for attracting extramural funding. Postdoctoral experience is preferred but not required. The position will be located on the Edinburg campus of the University. The ideal candidate will have a background in pathogen biology, focused on pathogens that are transmitted by insects or other arthropods. Externally funded research and teaching experience are considered a plus. Successful candidates will be expected to join and actively collaborate in research with members of the UTRGV Center for Vector-Borne Disease as well as other faculty at UTRGV. Research foci may include disease transmission or transmission systems, surveillance or diagnostics, general virology or microbiology, host/pathogen/vector dynamics, disease ecology and epidemiology, or other related fields. The preferred candidate will have strong molecular biology skills. Applicants should clearly articulate a vision for building an extramurally funded student-centered research program involving both undergraduates and master's students, and a commitment to educating a diverse body of students at a Hispanic Serving Institution. We welcome candidates who will contribute to the Biology department's strategic plan to build a Ph.D. program within the next 3-5 years. The UTRGV Department of Biology is committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and diversity, and especially welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of the departments.
Considered a biodiversity hotspot and high-risk area for vector-borne diseases, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the surrounding region lie at the confluence of the desert, temperate, and tropical biomes, which have undergone significant fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and subsequent urbanization. Multiple understudied environments exist that are ripe for developing a research program that spans coastal, deltaic, riparian, and upland habitats with disturbance statuses ranging from degraded to restored to managed to pristine. This region has also experience historical and recent outbreaks of mosquito, tick, and flea-borne diseases. The UTRGV Center for Vector-Borne Diseases has developed strong working relationships with local and state public health and vector-control offices, as well as strong research collaborations with the Western Gulf Center for Vector-Borne Diseases.
Diversity and inclusion are part of our core values and as such, we encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups in the sciences. It is our commitment to elevate the lives and economic well-being of the Valley community by offering first-rate education in the STEM fields. We value applicants who can understand and have overcome race, gender-based, and ability-based barriers, and who can bring with them the wealth of worldview, perspective, and experience that is critical to an innovative and accessible educational environment. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution with a student population that is over 90% Hispanic, UTRGV is committed to preparing its students to succeed, contribute and excel in an increasingly diverse, global, and interconnected world. Applicants who identify with this mission are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research plan (2 page maximum), statement of teaching philosophy (2 page maximum), and the names & contact information of at least three professional references. Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Christopher Vitek (christopher.vitek@utrgv.edu), search committee chair. To receive full consideration, applications should be received by December 15, 2022.
About UTRGV:It is UTRGV's Vision “To be one of the nation's leaders in higher education, its premier Hispanic-serving institution, and a highly engaged bilingual university, with exceptional educational, research, and creative opportunities that serve as catalysts for transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.” As such, UTRGV is committed to building a diverse faculty and staff that can contribute to an enriching learning environment that strives for more equitable outcomes for student success. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students.
Thanks to a steadfast commitment to safety and success, UTRGV yielded record-breaking outcomes in enrollment and student success in the fall 2021 semester. For additional information, please visit our website.
About Biology: The Department of Biology at UTRGV, located on the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, is a highly collegial group of 40 faculty responsible for educating over 100 graduate students and 2300 undergraduate majors. Active research areas include cell and molecular biology, animal behavior, microbiology, vector biology, and ecology providing many opportunities for collaboration. The Department of Biology offers a Master of Science (Biology) degree, a Master of Science (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; jointly with Chemistry) degree, and a Bachelor of Science (Biology).


Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Biology or a related field, an excellent track record in research that indicates a strong potential for attracting extramural funding

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:


Preferred Qualification:
Applicants should provide evidence of or strong potential for significant productivity in research. Externally funded research and teaching experience are considered a plus. Postdoctoral experience in preferred but not required. Successful candidates will demonstrate an articulated plan for developing locally impactful research in the LRGV, the ability to involve both undergraduate and graduate students (MS) in research activities, and a commitment to educate a diverse body of students in a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
License or Certification Required?: No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2023

EEO Statement:
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the civil rights act of 1964, the title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Diversity Statement
UTRGV is a Hispanic-serving Institution dedicated to student success and building a diverse faculty committed to working in a multicultural environment. UTRGV has an NSF ADVANCE grant to increase the representation of women in STEM fields and to promote a positive, family friendly workplace for all faculty. We strongly encourage applications from women and minorities.

Open Date: 10/25/2022

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission.
Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Additional Information:
UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may
require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is
performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive
and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code
§51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of
Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least
135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement
Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week
and at least 135 days in length.

Please Note:
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to
demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based
test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications
will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Review of candidates will begin on Nov 18 and continue until the position is filled.

Required Application Documents:
Required Documents 1. Cover Letter of Interest2. Curriculum Vitae3. Research Plan (2 page max)4. Teaching Philosophy (2 page max)5. List of 3 References6. Unofficial Transcripts

To apply, visit https://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/36177 jeid-ed571a823cbbb241902f9121a52a27d5