INTRODUCTION

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at the University of Connecticut in Storrs (UConn) seeks to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in microbiology beginning in August 2022. We invite applicants who are studying fundamental aspects of metabolomics, physiology, or systems microbiology. Potential areas of study include but are not limited to: metabolomic interactions within microbiomes or between microbes, their host, and/or other environments, functional metabolic roles of cells and organisms, analyzing and integrating large multi-omic datasets, and physiology. The successful candidate is expected to establish a vigorous, externally-funded research program, be an interactive and collaborative member of our interdisciplinary department, teach classes related to microbial physiology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and contribute to an inclusive culture on campus and within the broader community.  

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 UConn MCB department currently hosts 45 faculty and 126 graduate students and postdocs across four areas of research in: Microbiology; Genetics and Genomics; Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics; and Cell and Developmental Biology. We strongly encourage collaborations between these areas. Information on the research strengths in the Department can be found at http://mcb.uconn.edu and https://microbiology.uconn.edu/. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to form collaborations with a growing community of researchers within and beyond MCB that are engaged in microbiology, physiology, and systems biology research at UConn.

As one of the nation’s premier public research universities, UConn offers world-class core facilities, including several centers established in support of microbial metabolomic research such as the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility (https://proteomics.uconn.edu/ ), the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility (https://core.uconn.edu/resources/nmr), the Microbiology Analysis, Resources, and Services facility (https://mars.uconn.edu/), Statistical Consulting Services (https://statsconsulting.uconn.edu/ ), and the Computational Biology Core (https://bioinformatics.uconn.edu/), which also provide free access to high-performance computing and data storage. Additional facilities and resources available at UConn can be found at our Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment website: https://core.uconn.edu/resources.

UConn hosts a diverse and dynamic program in microbiology, united by the MCB-led cross-campus Center for Microbial Systems, Ecology, and Evolution. This center brings together over 50 microbiologists from across UConn to foster collaboration and cross-disciplinary interactions, such as the UConn Provost’s Academic Plan Award to the UConn Microbiome Initiative that provided funds for student training, seminar speakers, and early-stage microbiome research projects. Other collaborative centers include the Institute for Systems Genomics (ISG; https://isg.uconn.edu/), which merges the interdisciplinary research strengths of 11 schools and colleges at UConn and the nearby Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (https://jax.org/about-us/locations/farmington). UConn leverages significant investments from the state including the $865M Bioscience CT initiative, $172M Tech Park program, the $200M Bioscience Innovation Fund, and $1.7B Next Generation CT. UConn’s faculty and staff serve as the critical link in expanding and nurturing our vibrant, multicultural University community, and more than 100 research centers and institutes support UConn’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions.

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 M.D. (or an equivalent degree) in a relevant subject
• Postdoctoral research experience
• Research publications in a relevant field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in – or the potential for – building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences, or service that will bolster our commitment to engagement and inclusion of culturally diverse audiences in higher education, and particularly in the microbial sciences (https://mcb.uconn.edu/mcb-diversity-and-inclusion/)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Evidence of developing research fellowships or grant applications to federal funding agencies
• Presentations at national or international scientific meetings
• Teaching experience, including lecturing and course development
• Mentoring or research training experiences in the microbial sciences
• Use of innovative and/or interdisciplinary approaches that complement existing strengths of the department

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

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/19394 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the department;
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research Statement (2-3 pages) describing your scientific contributions and future research program;
• Teaching Statement (1 page) including a description of previous teaching and mentoring experience;
• 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 future plans to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive research community at UConn;
• PDFs of your 1-2 most significant publications;
• At least three (3) letters of reference.

Review of applications will begin October 15, 2021. For inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Jonathan Klassen, Chair of the Search Committee (jonathan.klassen@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.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.