INTRODUCTION

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level beginning in August 2024. We are seeking outstanding candidates who will establish a vibrant, externally-funded research program that complements the structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry (SB3, http://sb3.uconn.edu ) program, be an interactive and collaborative member of our interdisciplinary department, demonstrate commitment to excellence in teaching classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and contribute to an inclusive culture both on campus and in the laboratory.

Successful candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.

The MCB department currently has 48 faculty and approximately 129 doctoral students and postdocs across four areas of concentration (SB3, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Genomics, and Microbiology) with an environment of strong interdisciplinary collaboration among these areas. Information on the research strengths in the department can be found at http://mcb.uconn.edu . Successful candidates will have the opportunity to form collaborations within and beyond MCB at UConn with researchers in structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics research as well as other areas of modern biology.

As one of the nation’s premier public research universities, UConn offers world-class core facilities, including several centers established in support of biophysical methods (http://biophysics.core.uconn.edu/ ), NMR (http://core.uconn.edu/resources/nmr ), proteomics (http://proteomics.uconn.edu/ ), microscopy (https://confocal.uconn.edu/ ), genomics (http://cgi.uconn.edu ), bioinformatics (https://bioinformatics.uconn.edu/ ), and high-performance computing (http://hpc.uconn.edu/ ).  Additional facilities and resources available at the University can be found at our Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment website: https://core.uconn.edu/resources .

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in a relevant discipline.
• Research expertise in structural biology, biophysics, and/or biochemistry.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• Record of scientific publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to effective and inclusive education of undergraduate and graduate students, including first-generation and diverse populations at a public land-grant institution.
• Potential to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience and academic community through research, teaching, and/or service sciences (https://mcb.uconn.edu/mcb-diversity-and-inclusion/ ).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in cutting-edge techniques such as single-molecule methods, cryo-EM, NMR, or related approaches with preference for candidates who combine these techniques with computational, genetic, and/or cellular approaches.
• Experience developing research fellowships and/or grant applications to funding agencies.
• Presentations at national or international scientific meetings.
• Innovative and/or interdisciplinary research that complements departmental strengths and spans across sub-disciplines.
• Teaching experience, including lecturing and course development.
• Mentoring research experiences with undergraduate and/or graduate students.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2024. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25945  and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Research statement (2-3 pages) describing your scientific contributions and future research program;
• Teaching statement (1-2 pages) including a description of previous teaching and mentoring experience and future teaching interests;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (1 page) including your perspective on barriers to success for underrepresented groups in STEM, your past efforts to address these issues, and your plans to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive research community at UConn;
• PDFs of your 1-2 most significant publications;
• The names and email addresses of at least 3 individuals who will provide letters of reference.

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2023. For inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Nathan Alder, Chair of the Search Committee (nathan.alder@uconn.edu ).

For more information regarding the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology please visit the department website at https://www.mcb.uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This job will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.