Assistant Professor - Biology

Location: Valdosta State University

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 289221

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

The Department of Biology seeks applicants for a ten-month full-time tenure track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service that contributes to the department, college, 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
• Statement of teaching philosophy and experience that describes how you will incorporate student-centered, active learning, and/or inquiry-based approaches in your teaching
• Statement of current and future research that describes research goals, projects that will engage undergraduate and Master's students, and anticipated equipment needs
• Names and contact information for at least three professional references (include e-mail addresses)

For full consideration, application must be submitted by October 1, 2025. For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

Teaching up to 12 credits per semester (Fall and Spring) at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas including, but not limited to Ecology, Evolution, and the candidate's areas of expertise; establishing an independent research program as evidenced by scholarly productivity; mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and participating in service that contributes to the department, college, university, and surrounding communities.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Teaching and scholarship - 80%

Teaches classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline.

Service - 20%

Participates in service at the department, college, and university levels.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field
• A record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant's career stage
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning
• A record of research productivity appropriate to the applicant's career stage

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in conservation and/or genetics
• A record of mentoring students
• Postdoctoral experience in Biology or a closely related field
• Experience managing biological collections
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide: professional references with current contact information, documentation of academic credentials, employment history. Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to: ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment, view social media outlets, and remove job postings without additional notification. Employment is contingent upon: successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check, reference checks. Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position: satisfactory credit check, successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), pre-employment drug testing, confirmation of credentials. After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training: New employee orientation, VSU's Annual Compliance Training: USG Ethics Policy, Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy, Drug Free Workplace, Sexual Misconduct and Title IX, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Motor Vehicle Policy, Workers Compensation (new hires), Georgia Open Records Act (new hires), USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly), Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

Standard

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.