"Assistant Professor in Virology"

The Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in any expertise of virology. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration. We are broadly interested in candidates performing creative basic and/or translational research. A successful applicant will be expected to establish a vibrant, extramurally funded research program that supports graduate and undergraduate training, thoughtfully teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to service in support of the department and college. Salary and start-up will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the University of Massachusetts provides an attractive fringe benefits package.

The appointment will be in the Department of Microbiology in the College of Natural Sciences (http://www.cns.umass.edu). Our Department is a close-knit community striving to create an environment that supports collective excellence in research and education (graduate and undergraduate). Our strengths are in pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology. Our new faculty member will have the opportunity to participate in robust departmental and interdepartmental graduate training programs. The Department of Microbiology is housed in modern research facilities and also has excellent core facilities, including live animal imaging, a Nikon Center of Excellence, flow cytometry, BSL-2 and 3 labs, ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 animal facilities, and a new cryo EM facility. The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases (https://www.newvec.org/) is based in Microbiology. Our Department is part of the Institute of Applied Life Sciences (IALS) and supports a collaborative environment with ties to various Departments including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Civil Engineering, Food Science, and Veterinary and Animal Science. The College of Natural Sciences is deeply invested in Inclusive Excellence https://www.umass.edu/natural-sciences/inclusive-excellence. Areas of interdisciplinary strength in the College of Natural Sciences include food and agriculture, extreme environments and emerging hazards, neuroscience and behavior, computational biology in health and disease, quantum materials, and accelerating science through computational, AI, and quantum approaches.

Qualified candidates must have a doctoral degree in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, or a closely related field, postdoctoral experience, and outstanding potential to establish an externally funded research program.

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $79,350 and $114,000.

Along with the application, please submit the following: (1) cover letter, (2) names and contact information for three professional references, (3) curriculum vitae, (4) research plan, and (5) teaching statement. Evaluation of applications will begin on November 15, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate pool has been identified. The anticipated start date is Fall 2026. Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Michele Klingbeil at mklingb@umass.edu.