Assistant Professor - Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Human Biology (HBIO) Program in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University invites applications for one full-time, 9-month fixed-term faculty position. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2025, and reappointment is expected based on satisfactory performance and continued funding. HBIO is a large undergraduate academic program serving a wide variety of students interested in health and biomedical science careers. The successful candidate will become part of a teaching team that is developing and implementing a new, innovative, core curriculum focused on biology, health, and community, with a specific goal of preparing HBIO students to address challenges in health, medicine, and the biomedical sciences. We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of experiences and disciplinary backgrounds including cell biology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, developmental biology, discipline-based education research, and related fields. Appointment will be at the assistant professor level.  

The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to collaboratively teach HBIO 410: Cellular Basis of Disease, a course in which students explore human cell biology concepts through the study of human disease. The course structure encourages students to practice scientific reasoning skills including building and interpreting models, learning the methods used to study cell biology, analyzing scientific literature, and communicating complex scientific information to a wide variety of audiences. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to at least one other course in our curriculum; HBIO 295: Human Biology and Society, an introductory course that focuses on societal impacts on disease and health information literacy or HBIO 495: Capstone in Human Biology, an upper-level course that focuses on science writing and communication. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

• A doctoral degree in cell biology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, developmental biology, discipline-based education research, or a related field. 
• Knowledge of or experience with evidence-based teaching methods.  
• Commitment to or experience with cultivating inviting and welcoming learning environments in which all students feel valued and supported. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues as part of a teaching team that includes other faculty, graduate students, teaching assistants, and undergraduate learning assistants. 
• Commitment to professional development.  

Desired Qualifications

• Experience teaching in a relevant field as an instructor of record.  
• Knowledge of or experience with discipline-based education research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and/or scholarly approaches to curriculum development.  
• Professional experience developing and/or disseminating knowledge in a relevant field through research, outreach, publication, or presentations.   

Required Application Materials

• Letter of application (no more than 5 pages) that describes your interest in the position. Please also address the following guiding questions in your letter.  
  • How has your educational background prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program?  
  • How have your past experiences working in collaborative groups prepared you to be part of the HBIO team?  
  • How have your research or teaching experiences prepared you to teach human cell biology in the HBIO program? 
  • How have you approached Professional Development through your career and how do you see yourself continuing to do so as part of the HBIO team? 
  • How will you contribute to cultivating an engaging educational environment in which all students feel welcome? 
  • If you possess any of the desired qualifications, explain how those experiences have also prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program. 
• CV 
• Names and contact information of 3 references who will be contacted if invited for a final interview.  

Special Instructions

Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Juli Uhl, Assistant Professor of Human Biology, [email protected]  

Review of Applications Begins On

03/17/2025