Assistant Professor - Biology - Tenure Track at University of Central Missouri in warrensburg, Missouri

Job Description:

The University of Central Missouri is an equal employment opportunity employer


Salary Depends on Qualifications
Job Type Faculty Full Time
Division Biology
Location UCMO - Warrensburg, MO
Job Number 998222
Opening Date 09/17/2024

Description

Faculty within the College of Health, Science, & Technology at University of Central Missouri support the university’s mission of providing student-centered, quality education and are committed to the success of students. This includes quality teaching, advising, collegiality and communication. In addition, faculty provide service to their program, department and university, engage in research, scholarship, and professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage, and respond to students, colleagues, departmental, college, and institutional needs.

Examples of Duties

Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is quality teaching in their respective content areas, regardless of delivery format. This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to the success of students as well as ongoing assessment of curriculum and of student learning.

• Keep current in your discipline.

• Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices.

• Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.

• Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.

• Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.

• Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours.

• Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback.

Scholarship/Professional Development - The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area.

• Authoring academic writings.

• Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.

• Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.

Service - An expectation of a professional faculty member is to serve the department, college, and university community.

• Attending department/college/university meetings

• Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.

• Assisting with student recruitment.

• Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.

Advising - A primary responsibility of faculty is the proper, timely, competent and professional advising of students.

• Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s).

• Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation).

• Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations.

Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels. Timely communication with students supports other faculty responsibilities (teaching, advising).

• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university.

• Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• A PhD degree in Plant Biology, or a related area from an accredited institution; ABD will be considered, but the PhD degree must be completed by the start date required

Experience:

• Record of peer-reviewed publication addressing research questions in the field of plant biology required.
• Demonstration of clear written and oral communication, as well as organizational skills required.
• Experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds required.
• University/College teaching experience preferred.
• Experience with teaching population genetics, phylogenetics, plant biology, or plant identification to undergraduate students preferred
• Experience leading research projects with students in population genetics, phylogenetics, plant biology, and taxonomy preferred.
• Evidence of involvement in extramural funded research preferred.
• Evidence of assessment knowledge and experience utilizing active-learning strategies in the classroom preferred.
• Interest in advising student organizations preferred.
• Postdoctoral experience preferred.

Supplemental Information

The University of Central Missouri’s Biology Program is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Biology to begin in Fall 2025. This position includes teaching, research, and service.

Teaching responsibilities will include a course at all levels of departmental curriculum, including but not limited to a course in plant identification, population genetics, and a graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The development of an externally funded, collaborative research program involving undergraduate and graduate students is expected. The candidate will also be expected to help academically advise biology students, supervise internships, serve on university committees, and participate in curriculum development as needed. The successful candidate will complement existing departmental strengths by utilizing expertise in plant biology. The candidate will have access to renovated teaching spaces for both didactic or active style instruction and can extend the classroom through research in recently remodeled laboratory spaces, a registered herbarium, a wildlife research lab, and the UCM Pertle Springs Wildlife and Recreation Area.

The University of Central Missouri, located 35 miles southeast of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, is a public comprehensive university with more than 13,000 students providing a small-college learning environment coupled with large-university opportunities. We offer baccalaureate of science degrees in: biology (eight areas of emphasis), bioinformatics, medical laboratory science, and radiological technology, as well as master’s of science degree in biology. The Biology program has approximately 17 full-time faculty, one adjunct faculty, and three full time staff to serve approximately 500 total majors. The faculty and staff are committed to excellence and innovation in teaching, service, and scholarship. Information about the department can be found at

https://www.ucmo.edu/college-of-health-science-and-technology/department-of-biological-and-clinical-sciences/

Responsibilities:
This position includes teaching, research, and service. Teaching responsibilities will include a course at all levels of departmental curriculum, including but not limited to a course in plant identification, population genetics, and a graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The development of an externally funded, collaborative research program involving undergraduate and graduate students is expected. The candidate will also be expected to help academically advise biology students, supervise internships, serve on university committees, and participate in curriculum development as needed. The successful candidate will complement existing departmental strengths by utilizing expertise in plant biology.

Application Instructions (submission methods, etc.):
To Apply: Candidates must complete an on-line faculty profile found at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/ucmo/ and apply to position 998222.

Candidates should submit the following documentation:

1. A cover letter that outlines the applicant's interest, qualifications, and experience for the position.
2. Teaching and mentoring philosophy (including evidence of teaching effectiveness).
3. A statement that describes your past and potential contributions to recruitment, retention, and success of a diverse student body.
4. Research plan.
5. A curriculum vitae.
6. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
7. Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of a minimum of three professional references.

Letters of recommendation and official undergraduate and graduate transcripts showing degree completions will be required later in the search process. Review of applications begins November 11, and continues until the position is filled. The desired starting date for this appointment is Fall 2025. This is a 9-month appointment.

Direct inquiries regarding this position to:
Dr. Jen Mittelhauser, Search Committee Chair,
Telephone: (660) 543-8877
E-mail: mittelhauser@ucmo.edu.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity within its community. Affirmative Action (AA)/Equal opportunity employer (EEO)/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Special Instructions:

Full-time benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Temporary or adjunct positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of this position and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer and specifically invites applications from women, minorities, veteran status, and people with disabilities.

Benefits

Our faculty and staff are the university’s most valuable asset, and our goal is to provide a robust Total Rewards Program designed to help them maintain a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

Highlights from UCM's total rewards package for full-time employees include:

• 28.75% (staff) and 6% (faculty) defined retirement contribution, paid by the university;

• Voluntary Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) programs (403(b) and 457(b)) that allow eligible employees to make additional pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan;

• Employees can earn up to full tuition (15 credit hours) for themselves per academic year. Full-time employees are also eligible for up to $175 towards non-credit courses each fiscal year. Employees can earn up to full tuition for their dependents;

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans that begin on the first of the month following your date of hire. Basic dental and vision insurance paid at 100% by the university;

• Available Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts;

• University-paid basic life insurance (including accidental death and dismemberment) and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage;

• Generous leave accruals that begin accruing on your start date, plus 14 paid holidays per year.

• The UCM Childcare Center on the Warrensburg campus can provide faculty, staff, and students quality care for their children ages six weeks to 10 years.

• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is free for all employees and is located on the Warrensburg campus.

• An Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees and their immediate family members to help assist with personal challenges you may face in your daily life;

• UCM offers an Employee Discount Program through Working Advantage.

To learn more about the wonderful benefits available as a University of Central Missouri employee, visit our benefits page!

AgencyUniversity of Central Missouri (UCM)Address PO Box 800

Warrensburg, Missouri, 64093-5299 Phone(660) 543-4255
Website https://www.ucmo.edu/

PI250109282

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