Asst. Professor, Oklahoma Biological Survey & Biological Sciences - Vector Biology & One Health (TT)

We seek an innovative, collaborative, and forward-looking colleague with a record of research in vector biology, whose research addresses the biological foundations of One Health and the effects of environmental change on arthropods of medical/veterinary importance and/or vector-borne diseases; who will establish a nationally recognized, student-engaged, interdisciplinary, and externally funded research program; and who will build collaborations across the University and with public, agricultural, wildlife, and health partners, and contribute to the University's efforts to understand and respond to emerging health challenges associated with environmental and land-use as part of OU's Lead On Strategic Plan.

Areas of interest for the ideal candidate include, but are not limited to the following: vector biodiversity and population and range dynamics, vector-host-pathogen interactions, medical and veterinary entomology, and disease ecology. We are especially interested in candidates who integrate field-based investigation with molecular, genomic, geospatial, quantitative, or predictive approaches to address questions related to vectors and vector-borne disease in the context of One Health.

The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) develop and sustain an extramurally-funded research program; (2) contribute to statewide biodiversity monitoring and environmental health surveillance through the Oklahoma Biological Survey; (3) foster interdisciplinary collaborations across OU and with governmental, tribal, agricultural, wildlife, and public-health partners; (4) mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and experiential learning; and (5) contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in areas such as vector biology, vector–host–pathogen interactions, parasitology, medical and veterinary entomology and/or microbiology, microbial genetics, and One Health science.

The OBS is both a state agency and a research unit in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences at OU, and is home to the Robert Bebb Herbarium, the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, and the Oklahoma Natural Areas Registry program. The SBS was recently established through the integration of the departments of Biology and Microbiology and Plant Biology to align graduate programs and research with faculty strengths and OU's Lead On Strategic Plan.

OU invests in its faculty by providing support and resources through the Center for Faculty Excellence and Vice President for Research and Partnerships Office. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences supports faculty development through senior faculty mentoring, new faculty orientation series, and access to research and educational support. We encourage candidates to apply who seek to contribute to collegial and interdisciplinary research environments.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biological sciences, vector biology, or other related fields.
• Established record of high-quality research and publications.
• Demonstrated record of, or clear potential for, strong extramural funding.
• Demonstrated or explicit commitment to outreach, community engagement, and service to the OBS, SBS, university, and discipline.
• Familiarity with effective teaching practices and student mentoring approaches

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading collaborative projects and working with interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated teaching and mentoring record, evidenced by list of courses taught, description of innovative pedagogy, effective student mentoring and engagement, and/or a history of positive student and peer evaluations.
• Demonstrated potential for coordination and collaboration development with state offices, tribal organizations, private landowners, and the communities of OBS, SBS, and OU.

Application Instructions

Applicants are required to submit: 1) a cover letter (limited to 2 pages) describing your motivations and qualifications for applying and fit with the OBS and one or more of the SBS research themes; 2) a full curriculum vitae; and 3) a statement of interest (limited to 4 pages) that includes a (i) brief summary of your current and future scholarship, (ii) brief summary of your experience with classroom teaching and mentoring, and advising undergraduate and graduate students, and (iii) brief discussion of your taxonomic expertise as it relates to your research program. Applications must be submitted online via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/193462. Additionally, applicants must submit contact information within Interfolio to initiate requests for three (3) confidential letters of recommendation; all letters must be on file for an application to be reviewed for the position. Please limit the cover letter and statement of interest to a maximum of 2 and 4 pages, respectively. Additional materials may be requested.

Screening of candidates will begin October 19, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair:
Chair: Dr. Cameron Siler, Director
Oklahoma Biological Survey
University of Oklahoma
camsiler@ou.edu

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