"Assistant Professor - Biology (Microbiology)"

The Department of Biology seeks applicants for an academic year 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, apply by October 1, 2025. For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching up to 12 credits per semester (Fall and Spring) at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas including, but not limited to, Microbiology 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 to the department, college, university, and surrounding communities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field
• Expertise in Microbiology
• 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 teaching genetics, molecular biology, or biotechnology
• A record of mentoring students
• Postdoctoral experience in Microbiology or a closely related field
• Ability to work 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. 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.

USG Core Values Statement

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 online 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 online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.