Assistant Professor – Immunology and Microbiology

Apply now Job no:520181
Work type:Faculty Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Microbiology
Union: MSP
Categories:Faculty, College of Natural Sciences

About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural suburban setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

As a campus with an increasingly diverse student body, we are looking for candidates who can operate effectively in a diverse faculty and student community, and who value collegiality, collaboration, achievement, and integrity. We encourage applications from underrepresented populations and individuals with a commitment to mentor underrepresented demographics. We are also interested in candidates who have had non-traditional career paths, those who have paused their careers for family or pandemic reasons, or who spent time outside of academia. We are committed to helping all constituents reach their full potential, creating best-in-practice operations to support faculty scholarship and fostering excellence in student experiences inside and outside our department.

Job Description
The Department of Microbiology (http://www.micro.umass.edu ) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the intersection of microbiology and immunology. We are broadly interested in candidates performing creative and exciting basic and/or translational research.

The successful applicant will be expected to establish an extramurally funded research program and contribute to graduate and undergraduate instruction related to the core Microbiology curriculum, consistent with the teaching responsibilities of our faculty. The new faculty member will have the opportunity to participate in strong departmental and interdepartmental graduate training programs. Salary and start-up will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the University of Massachusetts provides an attractive fringe benefits package.

The appointment will be in the Department of Microbiology in the College of Natural Sciences (http://www.cns.umass.edu ). The Department has a strong commitment to microbiology research and to graduate and undergraduate education with strengths in pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology. The Department of Microbiology is housed in modern research facilities and also has excellent core facilities (https://www.umass.edu/ials/core-facilities ) that include live animal imaging, a Nikon Center of Excellence, flow cytometry, BSL-2 and 3 labs, and ABSL-2, ABSL-3 animal facilities. The Microbiology Department is part of the Institute of Applied Life Sciences (IALS) and supports a collaborative environment with ties to various Departments including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Food Science and Veterinary and Animal Science. IALS and the UMass Amherst campus are committed to the development of translational research programs and to fostering interactions with industry.

Qualifications
Qualified candidates must have a doctoral degree in Microbiology, Immunology or a closely related field, postdoctoral experience, and outstanding potential to establish an externally-funded research program.

Application Instructions
Along with the application, please submit the following: (1) a cover letter addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Michele Klingbeil; (2) contact information for three professional references who are willing to write a letter of recommendation; (3) a curriculum vitae; (4) a research plan; (5) a statement of teaching interests; and (6) a Diversity Statement (see below).

While the applications can be reviewed until the position is filled, applicants should apply by the priority deadline of November 13, 2023 to ensure consideration, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2024.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion )

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.