Assistant Professor (Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology)

We seek candidates doing basic science driving at new fundamental discoveries using a variety of established, emerging, and new model systems. All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, have post-doctoral research experience, and be committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful candidates are expected to build an active research group, secure competitive external funding, and participate in the scientific community at UNC-CH. Therefore, a strong publication record and a track record of obtaining funding appropriate to career stage and eligibility will be considered favorably. Candidates are requested to specify in their cover letter what animal care facilities will be required to support their research program.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a vibrant center of scientific discovery and innovation, with a commitment to collaboration. Our large research base spans many areas of biology and supports several outstanding graduate programs (including those in the Biological and Biomedical Science Program, https://bbsp.unc.edu/). The Department of Biology consists of over 50 faculty engaged in basic and interdisciplinary research, within the department and between other departments and schools at UNC.

Successful candidates will have opportunities for synergy with other units at UNC, including several UNC School of Medicine basic science departments and curricula (i.e., Genetics & Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Physiology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, and Microbiology & Immunology). UNC also houses the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, the School of Data Science and Society, the Institute of Convergent Sciences, The Galapagos Center, the Carolina Biodiversity Collaborative, the Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, and numerous other centers, programs, or institutes (e.g., the McAllister Heart Institute, the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, and the Neuroscience Center).

UNC faculty, postdocs and graduate students routinely interact with colleagues at nearby Duke and North Carolina State Universities, and institutions in Research Triangle Park. The quality of life in North Carolina's Triangle area is consistently rated among the highest in the nation.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Department of Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of new and existing knowledge in the broad discipline of Biology by maintaining a high-quality faculty who integrate cutting-edge research and student-focused teaching.

We are one of the largest academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. We have over 3,600 majors and 229 minors, and we enroll undergraduate students in over 8,000 seats in our classes each semester. Each fall or spring semester, we offer 52 classes (70 sections) and 13 lab courses (93 sections). Our average total annual expenditure exceeds $24 million, with nearly half of that coming from grant sponsored research. Our department has nearly $70 million in active grants to support our twin missions of research and teaching. Our large research base spans many areas of biology and supports several outstanding graduate programs. We consist of 48 tenure-track faculty, 11 teaching faculty, 5 research faculty, and numerous active adjunct and emeritus faculty who are engaged in basic and interdisciplinary research and teaching, both within the department and between other departments and schools at UNC.

We currently have 55 graduate students and 23 post-docs. We also employ approximately 85 additional graduate and undergraduate students from across the university to assist in our teaching and research missions. Further, we are supported by an administrative staff of 16, with an additional 15 staff directly supporting research.

Position Summary

The Department of Biology at UNC Chapel Hill (https://bio.unc.edu/) is searching to hire a tenure track Assistant Professor to study critical questions in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, or Microbial Biology.

We seek candidates who focus on molecular mechanisms that illuminate fundamental aspects of the biology of cells and organisms, including their interactions with the environment. We seek candidates who work across scales, using transdisciplinary approaches including genetic, molecular biology, cellular biology, biochemistry and/or genomic approaches. Research programs that leverage model experimental systems and/or have direct relevance to human disease are particularly desirable.

All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, have post-doctoral research experience, and be committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful candidates are expected to build an active research group, contribute to Department of Biology activities, secure competitive external funding, and participate actively in the broad scientific community at UNC-CH.

Successful candidates will have opportunities for synergy with other units at UNC such as the curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, the Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, the Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program, the Department of Earth Marine and Environmental Sciences, the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, the NC Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the School of Data and Information Sciences, the Institute of Convergent Sciences, the Galapagos Center, the Institute for the Environment, and the Carolina Biodiversity Collaborative.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

All candidates must have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, have post-doctoral research experience, and be committed to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Successful candidates are expected to build an active research group, secure competitive external funding, and participate actively in the scientific community at UNC-CH.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Physical requirements often include standing or walking for prolonged periods, extended periods of sitting, ability to safely lift or move up to 25 lbs., ability to work in adverse conditions (extreme temperatures, insect exposure) out of doors for extended periods and sufficient mobility to navigate classroom and office environments and the manual dexterity for computer work. Occasional night and weekend work required.

The position also requires creativity and original thinking, pedagogical adaptability, organizational skills, resilience, perseverance, patience, and communication skills.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

Applicants will need to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement (less than or equal to 3 pages), a teaching and mentoring statement (~1 page uploaded as “Teaching Philosophy/evaluations”) and three representative publications (uploaded as “Other Document”, “Other Document 2” and “Other Document 3”). In addition, please provide the names and contact information for four references in the cover letter. The online application will also prompt applicants for referee names and email addresses. If added to the application, referees may receive automated emails with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation to the recruitment system at a future phase in the selection process. In the case where a letter-writer is retired or faculty emeritus, the individual should not have been out of the discipline for more than five years. Review of applications will begin November 1. The position will be effective on or after July 1, 2027. For further details contact biolsearch@unc.edu.