Professor & BioDiscovery Institute Director at University of North Texas in Denton, Texas

Job Description:

Title: Professor & BioDiscovery Institute Director

Employee Classification: Professor

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team. Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences has over 40 faculty, 160 graduate and 2,800 undergraduate students. Our faculty is a community of scholars dedicated to research and teaching in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Physiology, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, and Organismal- environment interactions. We offer Bachelor's degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Medical Laboratory Science, and Forensic Science, and Master's and Ph.D, degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science. We measure our success by the success of our students and the quality of our intellectual contributions to society.


Based upon the candidate's field of expertise they may have a faculty affiliation in another department at UNT. The position is currently slated to be housed within the Department of Biological Sciences, one of four departments in the College of Science.


UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with Hispanic- or Minority Serving Institutions (HSI/MSIs) and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The BioDiscovery Institute (BDI) seeks a visionary Director to lead the institute as part of an overall strategy to expand the research mission of the University of North Texas. BDI is one of four UNT institutes of research excellence. The institute is comprised of faculty and researchers across UNT to support interdisciplinary research in the fields of plant biochemistry, synthetic biology, microbiology, chemistry, computational sciences, materials science, and biomedical engineering. The expanding group of interdisciplinary researchers focus on the development of bio-based products to support a more environmentally-friendly, sustainable "bioeconomy." Researchers in the institute operate through pipelines that link sustainable production platforms, metabolic engineering, and the development of new products and technologies. Candidates may be working in any discipline related to those already in BDI, building on existing, recognized strengths. Importantly, we seek a director who shares and builds upon the vision and research focus of the BDI, and who is committed to enhancing the UNT research enterprise through their leadership of an internationally recognized research institute. The successful candidate will be a person with outstanding academic credentials who can articulate a clear vision for leading and developing the institute, promote a broadly shared sense of collegiality, mutual respect and support among the university departments and colleges and support excellence in scientific training and mentorship of student and postdoctoral researchers.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum job qualifications include a doctoral degree in a fundamental area within the natural sciences or engineering and have reached full Professor status.

Preferred Qualifications

A proven record to obtain external funding to support a productive and active research program and interdisciplinary collaborations.


A high number of impactful and exceptional scholarship and publication in higher-tier journals in the applicant's field of study.


Demonstration of leadership and commitment to build upon the vision and research focus of the BDI to enhance the UNT research enterprise.


An academic record demonstrating engagement and support of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and postdoctoral mentorship among student and researcher population.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

Work Schedule:

varies based on assignment

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

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