University of Connecticut, Molecular and Cell Biology

Position ID:UConn-Molecular and Cell Biology-495635 [#19395, 495635]
Position Title: Assistant Professor
Position Type:Tenured/Tenure-track faculty
Position Location:Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Area: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Appl Deadline: finished (2021/09/01, finished 2022/06/04, listed until 2021/11/30)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs seeks to fill a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level beginning in August 2022. We invite applicants who are studying the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenicity using structural biology, biophysical or biochemical approaches. Research topics include but are not limited to: virus assembly, cell entry, uncoating, and replication; the structure and dynamics of virus capsids and viral genomes; virus interactions with host cell membranes and receptors; antiviral drug discovery; virus impact on and evasion of immune system defenses; viral-based design for nanotechnology applications. Preferred candidates will utilize biophysical and biochemical techniques such as single-molecule methods, cryo-EM, NMR, or related approaches.  Candidates who combine these approaches with computational, cellular, or genetic approaches are highly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to establish a vibrant, externally-funded research program, integrate into the structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry (SB3, http://sb3.uconn.edu) research area, be an interactive and collaborative member of our interdisciplinary department, teach 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 45 faculty and approximately 126 doctoral students and postdocs across four areas of concentration in SB3, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Genomics, and Microbiology and strongly encourages collaborations between 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 the area of structural biology, biophysics, and/or biochemistry
  • Postdoctoral experience
  • Record of strong scientific publications
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • 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

  • Experience developing research fellowships or grant applications to funding agencies
  • Record of success in obtaining research funding
  • Research experience in a virus-related field
  • 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, 2022. 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 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/19395 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 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 November 1, 2021. For inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. Eric May, Chair of the Search Committee (eric.may@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.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
email address
 
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
Biology Physics Building (BPB)
91 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit-3125
Storrs, CT 06269-3125