"Assistant Professor in Microbiology"

Position Summary:

The Department of Biological Sciences at Arkansas State University (A-State) invites applications for a tenure-track position in microbiology at the Assistant Professor rank. This is a full-time 9-month appointment to begin in August 2026.

The successful candidate will be expected to effectively balance research and teaching, establish an externally funded research program, direct undergraduate and graduate student research, and collaborate with faculty within, and external to, the department.

A start-up package and dedicated laboratory space are available with this position. Several avenues for collaborative research at A-State are available with faculty in the department, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI), the Ecotoxicology Research Facility, and the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (Jonesboro Campus). A veterinary school is expected to commence in Fall 2026.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The successful applicant must provide evidence of a commitment to high-quality teaching and is expected to contribute to our undergraduate pre-professional program. The successful candidate will teach courses in microbiology and upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses in the candidate’s area of specialization in support of the Department of Biological Sciences, and Environmental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Programs. Service at the department, college, and university level is expected.

About the Department:

The Department of Biological Sciences at A-State is a growing department with about 500 undergraduate students and an average of 22 graduate students in its M.S. Biology program. Through research initiatives, the Department addresses local and global biological issues encompassing multiple levels of biological organization. A great deal of research is approached from an interdisciplinary perspective; therefore, in addition to master programs within the Biological Sciences department, many faculty members also participate in the Environmental Sciences and Molecular Bioscience graduate programs, which have a combined 46 M.S. and Ph.D. students. Faculty members also have strong collaborations with ABI, where medical research and agricultural initiatives aim at improving the health of Arkansans.

About the College:

The Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics is composed of faculty from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physics, and Mathematics and Statistics. It offers a wide range of both undergraduate (B.S., B.A., and B.S.E.) and graduate (M.S., M.A., and Ph.D.) degrees in both traditional and interdisciplinary areas. The College is physically housed in over 150,000 square feet in the Lab Sciences Complex and maintains a wealth of research equipment and facilities for use by faculty and students.

About the University:

Founded in 1909, A-State is a Carnegie R2 Doctoral University and one of the premier institutions of higher education in the state. The main campus at Jonesboro, which is located on 900 acres, has a student population of more than 15,000. Students come from nearly all 50 states and territories and 72 countries. A-State is a state-assisted university located in northeast Arkansas, 70 miles (1 hr.) from Memphis, Tennessee. The university offers a wide variety of majors to students from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Jonesboro is a community of about 80,000 inhabitants, boasts a regional center for quality healthcare and a low cost of living, and offers a variety of dining and entertainment options. Recreational opportunities abound in the Ozark foothills to the west.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required or applicable to the position responsibilities and area of specialization, including special abilities

General Days/Hours:

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Additional hours as requested and/or needed Regular and reliable attendance

Other:

Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date APPLICANT REVIEW: To take full advantage of this opportunity, applications should be submitted immediately. Review of applications will begin 22 October 2025 and continue until the position is filled. QUESTIONS regarding this position should be sent to: Dr. Virginie Rolland, Search Committee Chair, vrolland@astate.edu. Arkansas State University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants are required to hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of appointment. Candidates should demonstrate a history, or the potential, of a productive and externally funded research program involving both undergraduate and graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.). Please submit a cover letter, CV, a research statement, a teaching philosophy, and contact information for at least three references.