Assistant Professor in Insect Ecology

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Entomology and Plant Pathology

About the Department

As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a diverse portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths serve our clientele and our science, providing a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to students' career interests in basic and translational science or extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with over 2 million vouchered insects, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294 faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhance our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners. Our strategic plan, Growing Our Future 2023-2030 is accessible here https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cals-strategic-plan/.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Insect Ecology with 60% effort in teaching and mentoring and 40% effort in research and discovery. We seek a dynamic scholar committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, student engagement, and innovative teaching, alongside development of an active, externally funded research program.

The Assistant Professor will play a central role in the department's undergraduate curriculum, including instruction of ENT 201: Insects and People, a high-enrollment course serving approximately 140 students in an in-person spring section and virtual sections offered in spring and fall. Additionally this role will contribute to additional undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with the faculty member's expertise and departmental needs.

In addition to teaching, you will have the opportunity to establish a nationally recognized research program broadly focused on insect ecology, with research spanning areas such as insect behavior, plant–insect interactions, community ecology, conservation, global change biology, or related fields. Your research program will attract competitive extramural support from federal agencies, foundations, industry, and other sources while providing meaningful research and professional-development opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students.

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching and Mentoring:

• Lead instruction for ENT 201: Insects and People, including in-person and distance-education formats, and teach additional undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with expertise and departmental needs.
• Develop and use innovative, accessible, and technology-enhanced instructional approaches while contributing to curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students through research, experiential learning, and career development.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and success while contributing to departmental teaching initiatives.

Research and Discovery:

• Develop and sustain an externally funded research program in insect ecology that complements and strengthens departmental expertise.
• Conduct impactful research that may integrate field-based ecological studies with molecular, computational, spatial, or other data-driven approaches, and maintain a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and scholarly productivity.
• Engage undergraduate and graduate students in research, providing meaningful training and mentorship.
• Collaborate with departmental, university, and external partners to advance research, teaching, and outreach goals.

Service and Engagement:

• Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service through committee participation, faculty governance, scientific societies, and manuscript and grant review.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to a collegial and productive academic environment.
• Engage in outreach that enhances the visibility and impact of the department and university.

If you are an engaged educator and collaborative scholar who sees opportunities to connect insect ecology with the questions that matter to students, communities, and the broader scientific community, we invite you to join the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Minimum Education and Experience

PhD-equivalent degree in entomology, biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, or related field.

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Expertise in insect ecology, with specialization in one or more areas such as:
  • Integrated pest management
  • Invasive species and biological invasions
  • Pollination biology and ecosystem services
  • Vector ecology and disease systems
  • Trophic interactions and food web dynamics
  • Urban and managed ecosystems
  • Climate change and global change biology
  • Forest and conservation ecology
  • Molecular, population, community, or ecosystem ecology

Preferred Qualifications

Record of research efforts supported by serving as PI, Co-PI or listed author on peer-reviewed publications.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• Valid NC Driver's License

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 09/16/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 10/28/2026; if posting is active we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Teaching philosophy
• Research statement

Position Number: 00102456

Position Type: Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 9 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID: 111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

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