Assistant Professor of Biology (Plant Biology)

Summary: The Department of Biology at Grand Valley State University, a teaching-focused institution, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin Fall 2025. We seek a dynamic and innovative educator who specializes in Plant Biology. Preferred qualifications include experience teaching at the undergraduate level and experience mentoring student research. The successful candidate will contribute to our undergraduate curriculum by teaching upper division courses as well as participating in the delivery of our first-year biology core courses.

Plant Biologist Required Qualifications and Education:

• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Botany, Ecology, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Current ABD candidates will be considered for a two-year contract with the provision that the Ph.D. must be completed by December 2026.
• Evidence of effective teaching at the undergraduate level, with a commitment to active and inclusive pedagogy.
• Evidence of or potential for developing an active, student-centered research program.
• Experience or interest in contributing to first-year biology instruction.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Experience teaching botany courses especially plant ecology, plant taxonomy/systematics, or related courses at the undergraduate level.
• A record of applied scholarship that includes mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate student research.
• Experience with or interest in incorporating active learning strategies and innovative teaching practices.
• Enthusiasm for teaching in first-year biology courses.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to the broader mission of the department and university.

Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate courses in plant ecology, plant taxonomy/systematics, and other related areas based on departmental needs and candidate expertise.
• Contribute to the teaching of first-year biology core courses.
• Develop and maintain an active research program that engages undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Participate in curriculum development, student advising, and departmental service activities.
• Collaborate with faculty on interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives.

Tenure-line faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are typically hired on nine-month contracts, with a nine-credit hour teaching load per semester. They are also expected to engage in scholarly/creative activity, service, and a significant focus, which is equivalent to three credit hours of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and/or service depending on the successful candidate's interests and the department’s needs.

Minimum Starting Salary: $70,227; commensurate with experience.

Benefits: The university offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, sick leave/disability, tuition waiver, flexible spending accounts, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities, effective on date of hire. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available.

Department: The Biology Department at Grand Valley State University https://www.gvsu.edu/biology/ places an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. Its 34 full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal education while providing intensive engagement in the biological sciences. High-impact field and lab experiences and community collaboration are hallmarks of our relevant, interdisciplinary curriculum. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in cri