Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.
UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Staff members are encouraged to take an active role to engage in the institution's efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the workplace. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed. Women, traditionally under-represented minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Department : Biology
Position Summary:
The Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina Asheville, the UNC system's designated public liberal arts institution, is seeking qualified applicants with expertise in developmental biology, particularly those who use genetic and/or molecular tools in model organisms (note that UNCA does not have the facilities to house mammalian or avian colonies on site) for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 2023. The person selected for this position must have earned a Ph.D. in Biology or an appropriate discipline prior to July 1, 2023 and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester; establish a research program that involves undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community and the profession. Teaching duties will include contributions to our introductory core in cellular and molecular biology and experimental design courses, upper-level developmental biology, and additional upper-level courses within the candidate's area of expertise. Individuals with postdoctoral experience, a passion for undergraduate teaching, and experience at an institution focused on the liberal arts are strongly encouraged to apply.
UNC Asheville has been a national leader in undergraduate research for almost 30 years, and over 60% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and externally funded undergraduate research program. Moreover, the Department is interested in expanding its opportunities for undergraduate research to include answering evolutionary or ecological questions using modern analytical approaches such as bioinformatics, molecular systematics, developmental biology, or quantitative or computational biology. Individuals with expertise in these areas are encouraged to apply.
In addition to having a passion for undergraduate teaching, research and mentorship, the UNC Asheville faculty is committed to disciplinary teaching through an inter- and multi-disciplinary lens and providing a premiere liberal arts education. Faculty members teach across the University's Liberal Arts Core (LAC) program, our required interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum in courses that include, but are not limited to: introductory (freshman) colloquia; diversity intensives; courses that satisfy the Scientific Perspectives, Social Science courses and Arts and Ideas requirements; courses within the Humanities Program; and LAC Senior Capstone courses.
UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Faculty members across campus and especially in STEM disciplines are encouraged to participate in leading the institution's efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the areas of pedagogy, programming, and service activity. Therefore, candidates interested in teaching science to and developing outreach activity for diverse student populations are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications will include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research philosophy that includes a description of future research plans, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and three letters of reference. The applicant's letters of reference should address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop a successful, externally funded research program. Review of applications will begin October 27th, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Inquires may be directed to Dr. Jonathan Horton, jhorton@unca.edu, Search Committee Chair.
UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, or ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against students, applicants, or employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.
Minimum Education/Experience/Skill :
A Ph.D. in Biology or an appropriate discipline earned prior to July 1st, 2023 is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have the ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; bring diverse and multidisciplinary perspectives into the classroom; establish a sustainable, highly productive, and externally funded undergraduate research program; and function professionally in a highly collaborative and increasingly diverse organization.
Quick Link for Positing : 6002
EO/AA/ADA Employer:
UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants and employees. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.
About The University of North Carolina at Asheville
As the only dedicated liberal arts institution in the University of North Carolina system, UNC Asheville kindles learning by offering students an intellectually rigorous education that builds critical thinking and workforce skills to last a lifetime. Small class size, award-winning faculty and a nationally acclaimed undergraduate research program foster innovation as well as recognition.The cornerstone of a liberal arts education is the ability to explore the connections between many different subjects as well as the options available. So learning here expands well beyond the classroom walls. Focusing on undergraduate studies, we help students dig into learning, whether they participate in faculty-mentored research projects, undertake career-related internships, study abroad, or join service projects aimed at improving the quality of life at home and around the world. We encourage everyone to seek challenges, seize opportunities and become a doer as well as a thinker.At UNC Asheville, we’ve created an environment for exploring the world as well as more than 30 different majors. About 3,900 undergraduate students and about 330 full- and part-time faculty bring the campus alive with ...a genuine hunger to understand and contribute to the human experience. Amid the culturally rich setting of Asheville, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s all designed to spark a lifelong quest to know more — a fire that will grow brighter in the future.