Job Details

Job Location: Main Campus - Edmond, OK

Position Type: Faculty

Job Category: OTRS Classified

Review of applications will begin on November 1st, 2024.

Position Summary Overview:

Teaches, advises, and mentors students, evaluates student performance, and maintains department and student records in accordance with university policies. Adheres to the educational philosophy of the university. Works in a collaborative manner with colleagues and professional peers. Participates in university meetings that relate specifically to faculty. Serves on department, college, and university committees as requested. Prepares departmental reports as requested. Engages in teaching, service, and scholarly and/or creative activities as defined by the tenure and promotion policy in the UCO Employee and Faculty Handbook. This position is a full-time, tenure-track position.

College/Department Overview:

The College of Mathematics and Science currently has 128 full-time and over 70 part-time faculty in 6 academic departments and the School of Engineering. The College serves more than 3,300 undergraduate students in 30 majors and provides graduate programs in Biology, Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Applied Mathematical Science, Engineering Physics, and Nursing. Accreditation/Certification is held by ABET, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and the American Chemical Society. UCO is an institutional member of the Council on Undergraduate Research. For further information see our website at http://www.uco.edu/cms.

Department Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Biology Department at the University of Central Oklahoma, as a metropolitan institution serving a diverse student body, has a strong commitment to undergraduate education through transformative learning and research. Duties include teaching undergraduate/graduate courses, research and scholarly activities, and service to the department, college, and university appropriate to rank and appointment. The department is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biology with expertise in Mycology and Microbiology and who is committed to innovative and inclusive teaching and collaborative, student-centered research. We are particularly interested in those with expertise in mycology, with possible areas including but not limited to fungal biology; fungal pathogens; fungal interactions with humans, plants, or animals; fungal symbiotic systems; fungal systematics; evolution of fungi; and those with an interest in fungal collection. Primary areas of teaching responsibility include Mycology and Microbiology courses (majors and non-majors). Additional teaching responsibilities may include introductory biology courses with the option to develop upper-division courses in the successful applicant's area of expertise. A successful applicant will have a clear plan for cultivating discipline-specific research involving undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds and demonstrate a willingness to contribute to mentoring and teaching master's level graduate students.

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Biology or related field from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized institution is required (Exceptions require Academic Affairs approval). ABD considered, but the Ph.D. must be completed by July 2025. Demonstrable oral and written communication skills required. **NOTE** If the doctorate is not obtained and submitted by the time of employment, the position rank will change to TT-Instructor, until completion of the doctorate.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience teaching and mentoring research at the undergraduate level.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Ability to work collaboratively with other faculty and staff. Reports to the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the College.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Online application must include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, a research statement, a list of three professional references with contact information, and transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate degrees completed and in progress.