Assistant Professor (Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology)

Posted yesterday

university of north carolina chapel hillChapel Hill (NC)

SENIORITY

Lead

Apply

About the role

Posting Information Position Title: Assistant Professor (Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology)
Department: Biology - 318200
Position Type: Permanent Faculty
Appointment Type: Tenured/Tenure Track Hiring Range: Dependent on Qualifications and/or Experience
Position Location: North Carolina, USFull-time/Part-time: Full-Time Permanent Hours per week: 40FTE: 1 Position Information The Department of Biology at UNC Chapel Hill ( https://bio.unc.edu/ ) is searching to hire two tenure track Assistant Professors to study critical questions in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, broadly defined. 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 contactbiolsearch@unc.edu. Department Contact Information Derek Cain, Associate Chair for Business Administrationbiolsearch@unc.edu If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.
Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status. If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Statement The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.

More like this