Assistant Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Position Information

• Job Title: Assistant Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by December 31, 2025. Applications received after December 31, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for an academic year, 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. URI, the top public university in New England, is a land and sea grant research university located in Kingston, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car, bus, and rail, about 40 minutes from Providence, an hour from Boston, and 3 hours from New York City.

The Cell and Molecular Biology Department has 14 full-time tenure-track faculty members, three full-time clinical faculty, two full-time teaching faculty, and 2 teaching laboratory coordinators. CMB faculty conduct impactful research and offer educational programs, training, and services for undergraduate and graduate students that align with Biomedical Sciences, Human Health, Infectious Disease, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics. The CMB program is highly interdisciplinary in nature and trains students to succeed in diverse career trajectories related to biomedical, environmental, and data sciences. Research programs of CMB faculty routinely incorporate cross-disciplinary genetic, biochemical, cellular, and structural approaches to investigate fundamental aspects of all known forms of life.

Our department has over 240 undergraduates majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology (B.S.), Biotechnology (B.S.), or Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.), and offers courses for many undergraduates across campus. Our faculty mentor graduate students enrolled in thesis-based research at both M.S. and Ph.D. levels in the Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program.

As the flagship university of the Ocean State, URI has a vibrant community of students, staff, and faculty focused on cell and molecular research with ample opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. In CELS, faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences conduct research on various aspects of biological sciences from genes to ecosystems, and the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science contributes expertise in marine aquaculture and ecosystem management. In the College of Pharmacy, faculty in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences advance scientific discovery in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields toward a greater understanding of human health. In the College of Arts and Sciences, faculty in the Department of Chemistry conduct research with strengths in biologically-relevant areas. Faculty research interests at URI are supported by several state-of-the-art core research facilities across campus which provide training and access to scientific instrumentation.

We invite exceptionally creative candidates with research strengths in cell and molecular biology addressing significant biological problems. Candidates with specific expertise in microbiology and/or infectious diseases, microbial physiology, or virology are especially encouraged to apply. Experience in any one of the following broad research areas is preferred: microbial genetics, metabolism, cell biology, or pathogenesis.

The candidate will contribute to departmental teaching of introductory and advanced courses in microbiology, genetics, cell biology, and/or virology and their associated laboratory courses. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a high-quality, nationally recognized independent research program with a strong potential for attracting extramural funding. Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, a sustained record of exceptional scholarly success, and the promise of future innovative accomplishments within a research framework that utilizes state-of-the-art molecular, genetic, cellular, biochemical, and/or structural methodologies. The candidate is expected to be highly collaborative and able to integrate well with current faculty in the department. Some prior teaching experience is preferred.

POSITION SUMMARY

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Develop an externally funded research program.
• Advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage in university service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish a vibrant research program supported by extramural funding in the areas of microbiology and/or infectious diseases. Notable areas for potential scholarship include but are not limited to microbial metabolism, physiology, and genetics; host-pathogen/host-microbe interactions; virology; and/or infectious diseases.
• Develop a sustained record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Teach undergraduate lecture and/or laboratory courses in introductory and advanced courses in microbiology, genetics, cell biology, and/or virology and contribute to graduate degree programs at the University of Rhode Island with an emphasis on experiential learning, applying inclusive, evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population.
• Provide advising, training, and research mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage in service activities as well as governance within the Department, College, University, and broader scholarly community.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform other duties as required.

LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

• Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ph.D. or D.Phil. in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related field.
2. Postdoctoral research experience at time of application.
3. Record of scholarly achievement as shown by a publications related to microbiology and/or infectious disease in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or books, and b presentations at scientific meetings.
4. Potential to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research.
5. Proficiency in oral communication skills in English.
6. Proficiency in written communication skills in English.
7. Commitment to participate in professional service as shown by participation in committees, organizations, or other activities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS For this position, strongest consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate this additional expertise and experience:

1. Demonstrated ability to teach microbiology, cell, and/or molecular biology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
2. Demonstrated experience with participation in one or more cellular/molecular biology research projects that will complement and enhance the existing research in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at URI.
3. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with members of diverse groups for excellence in teaching and mentoring.
4. Evidence of applying for and/or obtaining research funding through competitive grant programs, including graduate or postdoctoral fellowships and grants.

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URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the states public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent End Date of Restriction or Limitation: None listed

Department Information

• Department: Environment & Life Science
• Dean: [Not specified in text]
• Contacts: [Not specified in text]

Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at https://jobs.uri.edu

Contact Email: [Not specified in text] Campus Location: Kingston Grant Funded: No Extension Contingent on Funding Date: [Not specified in text]

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 5 PDF documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:

1. Cover Letter: Describing qualifications for the position and how you meet the minimum and, where applicable, preferred qualifications as one complete document.
2. Curriculum Vitae: Including information pertaining to the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position as one complete document.
3. Statement of Research Interests and Future Research Plans: No more than 3-pages in length. You should include your proposed grant application strategy, research student mentorship philosophy, and how your research program would complement and extend the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and URI as one complete document.
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Interests: No more than 2-pages in length and include current pedagogical experience, plan for course development, and the integration of experiential learning into your classes as one complete document.
5. Other Document: PDFs of up to three published or in-press papers as one complete document.

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.