Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease- UM

Description

The University of Montana, Division of Biological Sciences (DBS) and the Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology (CMMB) graduate program, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease to begin August 2025.

We are seeking a creative and visionary investigator who addresses fundamental questions in areas such as microbial pathogenesis, bacterial pathogenomics, pathogen-immune interactions or host-microbiome interactions with cutting-edge approaches. Candidates with research programs that complement or expand existing strengths in genetics, genomics, biochemistry, structural biology, and cell biology will be given priority. This position requires participation in teaching microbiology and related courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

The University of Montana is committed to advancing microbiological research through interdisciplinary collaborations with other programs on campus, such as Ecology and Evolution, Neuroscience, Computer Science, and Chemistry and Biochemistry. The successful candidate will have access to extensive resources, including state-of-the-art core facilities to support research in the areas of genomics and transcriptomics, proteomics, structural biology and microscopy (e.g., https://www.umt.edu/center-biomolecular-structure-dynamics/facilities/ and https://www.umt.edu/genomics-lab/ ). Additional potential opportunities exist for participation in the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (CBSD, https://www.umt.edu/center-biomolecular-structure-dynamics/ ) and interaction with the Center for Translational Medicine ( https://www.umt.edu/translational-medicine/ ).

About the University of Montana

UM is the fastest growing flagship university in Montana with over 10,000 students and is a national leader in access, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Our mission is inclusive prosperity and to transform lives by providing a high-quality and accessible education and by generating world-class research and creative scholarship in an exceptional place. We integrate the liberal arts and sciences into undergraduate, graduate and professional studies to shape global citizens who are creative and agile learners committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and to building and sustaining diverse communities.

About Missoula

Ask anyone who’s ever been here. They’ll tell you. This place is special. People surf on the

river that runs through downtown. There’s an indoor wooden carousel that operates year-round and the “ World’s Best Public Library ”.

The city reminds dog owners not to let their pets chase wildlife. The native bull trout are treated like treasured heirlooms. Deer are just as common as squirrels (See: dog/wildlife). The summer farmers markets span downtown. Breweries abound as do art galleries. Then there are the mountains. They stand majestic, often covered in snow or

wildflowers, all around us.

Learn more about Missoula and Montana:

Destination Missoula

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The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

Tenurable Faculty: Division of Biological Sciences (DBS) and the Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology (CMMB) graduate program

Title: Assistant Professor
Schedule: August 2025, Full time, Academic year position (10 months)
Salary: Commensurate with education and experience
Benefits: Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution/Professional Development/Partial Tuition Waiver/Wellness
Primary Duties: Primary duties include teaching, scholarship, and service.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in microbiology or related field of study
• A strong record of research and scholarship, including post-doctoral research experience and training, or equivalent
• A commitment to excellence in teaching and/or effective mentorship of graduate or undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds
• Experience communicating effectively with students, professionals, and the public
• Evidence of working collegially with students, staff, faculty, and/or external stakeholders
• Support and promotion of diversity

Preferred

• Experience with developing competitive extramurally funded grants

Application Instructions

Priority Application Date: December 17, 2024 11:59pm midnight

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. However, the search committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

• Letter of Interest addressing the qualifications (max 2 pages)
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
• Teaching philosophy, describing teaching experiences and pedagogical approaches, areas of teaching expertise, and approaches to engage and mentor a diverse student population (max 1 page)
• Diversity Statement, outlining the contributions and commitment to increasing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented groups in the biological sciences (max 1 page)
• Statement of research, describing plans for a future independent research program that synergizes with UM’s strengths and core facilities (max 3 pages)
• Unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be requested upon hire)
• Three (3) representative publications, collated into one PDF document

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation (“protected classes”). Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).