"Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology - Robert L. Rausch Chair, MSB Curator of Parasites (req31287)"

Position Summary

We invite applications for an endowed professorship, the Robert L. Rausch Chair of Parasitology. The Chair will be an Assistant or Associate Professor of Biology with a concurrent appointment as Curator of Parasites at the Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB), a natural history collections facility within the Department of Biology of the University of New Mexico (UNM).

We seek a colleague with demonstrated commitments to (1) collecting and curating natural history specimens; (2) using specimens to address questions in evolution, systematics, and ecology; (3) pursuing a vigorous, externally-funded research program; (4) advancing the integration of specimens into parasitology, including helminthology; (5) achieving excellence in teaching and mentoring; and (6) supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and student access within a diverse community.

UNM is a research-intensive (Carnegie R1), minority-majority institution located in Albuquerque, a city with a rich cultural heritage in a biodiverse, scenic landscape. The Department of Biology is a family-friendly academic community of 35 tenure-track faculty members (https://biology.unm.edu/core-faculty.shtml), ~1500 undergraduate majors, 100+ graduate students, and a vibrant portfolio of extramurally funded research.

The MSB (https://msb.unm.edu/) includes eight collections (more than 5 million specimens), each headed by a faculty curator, full-time collection manager, and shared mission: to collect and curate biodiversity specimens and information that advances scientific understanding of Earth's biota over time and space. MSB contributes to more than 400 scientific publications annually and leads globally in the development and dissemination of informatics resources (https://arctosdb.org/). MSB's cryo-collections comprise more than 700,000 samples that document global change, emerging diseases, and evolutionary processes.

The MSB Division of Parasites (http://www.msb.unm.edu/divisions/parasites/index.html) holds the third-largest helminth collection in North America, including extraordinary collections from Robert and Virginia Rausch, Eric Hoberg, and ongoing fieldwork by MSB personnel. The Rausch Endowment will support a faculty member to continue building and investigating these collections to address fundamental questions in host-parasite symbioses, with a preferred focus on helminthology.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

1. PhD in Life Sciences or a related field by date of appointment (August 1, 2025).
2. Evidence of primary specialization in Parasitology.

Preferred Qualifications:

We seek colleagues with demonstrated commitments to

1. Collecting and curating natural history specimens
2. Using specimens to address fundamental questions in evolution, systematics, and ecology
3. Pursuing a vigorous, externally funded research program
4. Advancing the integration of specimens into the fields of parasitology
5. Achieving excellence in teaching and mentoring
6. Post-doctoral experience by the start of the appointment
7. A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities

Application Instructions

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Please attach the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Three representative publications
• Four two-page statements addressing past, present, and future efforts in (1) research, (2) curation, (3) teaching, and (4) diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.

For Best Consideration: For best consideration, please apply by 1/31/2025. This position will remain open until filled.