Assistant Professor - Biology - Insect Biology

Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor

School/Department Name: Biological Sciences

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule . See Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent employment benefits.

Target Start Date: August 2022

Application Deadline: November 15, 2021 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)


Position Description

The Department of Biological Sciences at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Insect Biology. We are a team of dedicated teacher-scholars recognized for our commitment to teaching excellence, student centered research, and for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Biological Sciences and other STEM disciplines.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers degrees in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Systems Physiology, General Biology, and Marine Biology (with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories). The highest degree offered is the Master's degree. There are approximately 1000 undergraduate majors and 65 Master's students enrolled in Biology. Facilities include: molecular and microbiology research and teaching labs (BSL2 capable); imaging with confocal laser microscope (Zeiss 700), flow cytometry (FACSCalibur & FACScan); cell culture; Proteomics (QTOF LC/MS/MS, 2D Gel, TYPHOON Imager, and AKTA fplc systems); anatomy and physiology research and teaching labs; bioinformatics and general computing labs; greenhouses, herbarium, plant growth chambers, and museums. There is technical support for laboratory courses and equipment maintenance. Opportunities for collaboration with biotechnology companies and local research-intensive universities are supported.

The Department of Biological Sciences and San José State University value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. SJSU enrolls more than 36,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved, and around 45% are first-generation and 38% are Pell-recipients. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Serving Institution. The university’s commitment to social justice extends from its vibrant, inclusive campus to an international network of over 275,000 alumni. As such, San José State is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so our disciplines, students, and the community can benefit from multiple ethnic and gender perspectives.

Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion through their research, teaching, and/or service. We ask that all applicants include a Diversity Statement with their application package. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Diversity Statement Guidelines , along with information about how these statements will be evaluated.


Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Insect Biology or related discipline.
• Post-doctoral experience in insect biology/ecology, entomology, or a related field
• Publication record reflective of the candidate’s professional experience and the potential to become an excellent teacher-scholar.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Experience in curation of entomological collections
• Experience using molecular methods to address questions in taxonomy, evolution, insect toxins, insect-plant relationships, and/or applied questions in insect biology or ecology.
• Teaching experience in insect biology and/or introductory biology.

• Evidence of undergraduate or graduate research student mentoring
• Experience working with Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other historically excluded students in the classroom or research lab.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how historical patterns exclude marginalized communities within higher education and STEM Disciplines as well as how these policies shape patterns of participation and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• The successful candidate is expected to develop a research program, publish in peer reviewed journals, obtain extramural research grants, and involve masters and undergraduate students in research.
• Duties include serving as the director of the J. Gordon Edwards Entomology Museum and the candidate will be expected to leverage the collections to prepare students for careers in insect biology and taxonomy.
• Teaching duties include courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to prepare students for careers in monitoring, consulting, government, and higher education in a wide range of fields in ecology, forestry, conservation, agriculture, and industry. These fields include insect biology, such as plant-insect interactions, integrative pest management, and interdisciplinary studies. At the undergraduate level, teaching duties will include Insect Diversity, speciality courses in their discipline, and may include Introductory Biology and/or Forensic Entomology. At the graduate level, teaching duties may include: lecture or laboratory courses in Molecular Techniques, or other topical courses in Ecology & Evolution program area.
• The successful candidate is expected to participate in curriculum development and teaching of other courses to meet the needs of the program and its diverse student population.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advisement.

Application Procedure:

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents [departments may specify length of items below (e.g. 2 pages)]:

• letter of interest
• curriculum vitae
• diversity statement ( 2 pages) that discusses the candidate’s knowledge of, experience with, and future plans to promote equity, inclusion and diversity in biology and/or STEM
• Statement of Teaching interests/philosophy (2 pages) that describes what role faculty play in student success
• Research Plans (2 pages) describing the candidate’s plans to engage undergraduate and MS students in research
• Three references with contact information

Inquiries may be directed to the Department Chair: Dr. Rachael French ( rachael.french@sjsu.edu )


Conditional Offer

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.


San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. The 2020 #1 Most Transformative University in the nation according to Money Magazine, San José State is an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. This cutting-edge research, combined with its world-class scholarship, student-centered learning opportunities, and experiential and interdisciplinary programs, allows SJSU to provide transformative opportunities that advance the public good locally and globally.


Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: October 05, 2021 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: