"Assistant Professor Invertebrate Biology"

Assistant Professor Invertebrate Biology

College: College of Science and Engineering - 323 College

Dept/School: Biology & Marine Biology - 32310

Vacancy Number: 16F-747

Position Number: 655

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Posted: 20-Dec-25

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina

Type: Full-time

Categories: Academic/Faculty, Biological/Biomedical Sciences

Internal Number: 6806613

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Invertebrate Biology starting in August 2026.

Research areas within the broad umbrella of Invertebrate Biology may include working with invertebrates in marine, freshwater, or terrestrial systems. Expertise of the applicant can range from cellular or organismal biology to community ecology and biodiversity, including the use of invertebrates as model systems for this broad search.

Successful candidates will contribute to the Department's teaching mission at both the graduate and undergraduate level in core areas of our Biology and Marine Biology curriculum and other courses, as determined by the candidate's interests and departmental needs. The Department is particularly interested in the candidate's ability to foster a welcoming environment for students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Candidates must have a PhD, post-doctoral research experience, and strong potential for excellence in both research and teaching. The Department of Biology and Marine Biology has an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship and is committed to the success of new faculty as we continue to grow our strategic research and teaching missions.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Marine Biology or a closely related discipline. Note: Applicants who are ABD for the terminal degree may be considered if the expected doctoral degree is conferred by August 1, 2026, to be eligible for employment.
• Postdoctoral research experience or equivalent professional research experience at the time of appointment.
• Strong potential for excellence in both research and teaching.
• Ability to teach core courses in Biology and Marine Biology and contribute to graduate and undergraduate education.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to develop an independent, externally funded research program in invertebrate biology.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in biology and mentoring students in research.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, such as publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and complement existing departmental strengths.
• Experience leveraging regional ecosystems and/or UNCW research facilities for field or laboratory studies.
• Strong potential to engage students in experiential learning opportunities, including fieldwork and research projects.
• Familiarity with modern analytical or molecular techniques applicable to invertebrate biology.

Required Certifications or Licensure: No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology supports an excellent undergraduate program, with an emphasis on hands-on involvement of undergraduates in research and other applied learning activities. We also have a Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative and Marine Biology, and Master's programs in both Biology and Marine Biology. Research and education are supported by core facilities on campus and at the Center for Marine Science, located 6 miles from the main university campus. We have an active faculty involved in a variety of research areas including molecular biology and bioinformatics, microbiology, developmental biology, coastal and estuarine ecology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology, and environmental biology. [Additional departmental description...]

Special Notes to Applicants:

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on 01/05/2026. Applicants are required to submit the following items in Adobe PDF or MS Word format online at https://jobs.uncw.edu/37895:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy (2-page max)
4. Research Summary - A statement of research interests that highlights how the applicant could make use of departmental expertise or resources (2-page max)
5. List of 3 Professional References. References will be requested during a later stage of the applicant screening process. **If ABD at time of application one reference must be from Dissertation Chair.
6. If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the 'Other' category.

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Rachel Gentry (gentryr@uncw.edu), while questions regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Blake Ushijima (ushijimab@uncw.edu).

Position Type: Permanent

Job Posting Date: 11/17/2025

Job Close Date: 1/5/2026