"Assistant Professor Biology (Aquatic Biologist)"

Job Details

The Department of Biology seeks applicants for a ten-month full-time, tenure track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026.  We seek an aquatic biologist (freshwater or marine) who uses an integrative approach to understand how environmental factors influence aquatic organisms. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses that align with the candidate’s area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service to contribute to the department and broader university and surrounding communities.

The Department of Biology offers a student-centered learning environment with emphasis on experiential learning.  Serving approximately 450 students, it is the largest department in the College of Science and Mathematics.  Among the 20 faculty, several have won awards for teaching, research, and service, and their active research programs are designed to engage students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The department offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Master of Science with both a thesis and non-thesis option.  Detailed information is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/.

Applicants should submit the following with their online application:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching philosophy that describes how you will incorporate student-centered, active learning, and/or inquiry-based approaches in your teaching
• Research statement that describes your research goals, how you will engage undergraduate and Master’s students, and your anticipated equipment needs
• Names and contact information including email addresses for at least three professional references

Online application is required. For full consideration, please apply by December 10, 2025.  For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teach up to 12 credits per semester (Fall and Spring) at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas that may include marine biology, limnology, ecophysiology, or ecology, as well as in their specific areas of expertise; establish an independent and productive research program that complements and strengthens departmental programs; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and contribute through service to the department, college, university, and professional communities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field by appointment date
• Record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant’s career stage
• Ability to teach courses in freshwater or marine biology that expand or enhance departmental course offerings
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning
• Record of research productivity in aquatic biology appropriate to the applicant’s career stage
• Research plan that actively involves undergraduate and master’s students in scholarly activities at VSU

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Record of mentoring students
• Postdoctoral experience in aquatic biology or a closely related field
• Ability to contribute effectively in a collaborative setting

Valdosta State University, founded in 1906, is a comprehensive university with a student enrollment of approximately 10,200. The city of Valdosta is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75, is served by a regional airport, and is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information visit https://www.valdosta.edu and more information about the community visit https://www.valdostachamber.com.

Valdosta State University is an Equal Opportunity educational institution and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Valdosta State University has a non-discrimination policy that includes sex, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, and veteran status.