BCAS - Assistant Professor of Microbiology in Biological Sciences - 527650

Department/Organization
204411 - Biological Sciences

Rank
Assistant Professor

Position Summary
The department of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama invites applications for three tenure-track positions at the Assistant Professor level in Microbiology, as part of a microbiology focused cluster hire. The appointment will begin on August 15, 2026.

Detailed Position Information
The successful candidates for the positions will be expected to establish and lead a research program focused on microorganisms. The search is open to all areas of microbiology, with particular interest in, but not limited to, host-pathogen interactions, microbial disease ecology, microbiomes, bacteriophages, or synthetic biology. Research expectations include developing and sustaining an externally funded research program, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Successful applicants should also demonstrate the ability to collaborate with faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences, as well as across other departments and research institutes (e.g., Alabama Life Research Institute or the Alabama Water Institute). Teaching responsibilities include basic undergraduate courses in microbiology or biology and graduate courses in the successful candidate’s area of expertise.
More information about the department can be found on the department’s website https://bsc.ua.edu/.

The minimum qualifications for these positions are a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree in microbiology, biological sciences, or a closely related field, postdoctoral experience, and an outstanding track-record of scholarly publications commensurate with the applicants’ career stage.
Questions about the positions should be addressed to the co-chairs of the search committee, Dr. Julie Olson (jolson@ua.edu) and Dr. Melanie Higgins (mahiggins1@ua.edu).

Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree in microbiology, biological sciences, or a closely related and have postdoctoral experience.

Preferred Qualifications
The successful candidates should have an outstanding track-record of scholarly publications commensurate with the applicants’ career stage.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Applications should include a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, a research statement (maximum 3 pages), a teaching statement (maximum 1 page) and provide contact information for 3 references. The search committee will request letters as needed. The review of applications will begin December 1, 2025, and the review will continue until the position is filled.

About the Division/College/School
The J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama offers an exciting and dynamic environment for faculty seeking to make an impact in their field and in the lives of the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.

As the largest college at The University, we house over 9,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff across our 22 departments.

With nationally recognized programs and award-winning faculty, our College has positioned itself as a leader in higher education. Our facilities and resources include state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and performance venues, providing students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for research and creative expression.

The College is committed to the liberal arts philosophy that fosters creative and critical thinking and a lifetime of learning.”

About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure’s 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation’s premier universities, UA offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.

In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.

UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Produci