Assistant Professor

Position Function:

The Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University (MSU) invites applicants for multiple 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions. We seek candidates studying fundamental questions in any area of molecular, cellular, or developmental biology within any system.

The Department of Biological Sciences provides in-house research infrastructure including new imaging and high-performance computing resources. Core facilities within the department also include a BSL-2 AALAC-accredited animal care facility, a forest reserve, and common-use molecular and imaging facilities. The department also houses the Mississippi State University herbarium (MISSA), which is part of a campus-wide museums and galleries group ).

The department offers B.S. (Biological Sciences, Medical Technology, and Microbiology), M.S., and Ph.D. (Biological Sciences, Computational Biology) degrees. Faculty in the department have diverse research interests in bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, and systematics, and have been recently funded by a variety of agencies including NIH, NSF (including four current CAREER awards), DOE, DARPA, USDA, USDT, and DOJ, as well as state and private organizations. Biology faculty interact with other campus research centers and institutes ) and have ongoing collaborations involving all eight of the university's colleges.

Mississippi State University is a comprehensive Carnegie R1 "Very High Research Activity" campus and a top-100 university by research expenditure. The campus is situated in a small, inclusive community boasting an exceptional standard of living ). Within a short drive of Starkville are more than 120,000 acres of state and federal natural areas, with abundant opportunities for research and recreation. This includes the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge ), and the Tombigbee National Forest. We are Mississippi's land-grant institution and principal research university with an enrollment of 23,000 students.

Salary Grade:  UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2025

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure-Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Successful candidates are expected to establish an externally funded research program and contribute to the service mission of the department. Faculty are also expected to teach one course each semester in support of the undergraduate and graduate curricula (M.S. and Ph.D.). Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum requirements include a Ph.D. in a relevant field and evidence of sustained productivity and teaching competence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Eukaryotic Microbiology, Bacteriology, or Virology

• Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions or Immunology

• Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Physiology

• Neurobiology

• Molecular Genetics

We further encourage applicants who are passionate scholars conducting hypothesis-driven research, especially those involving interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives. We are also interested in candidates with research programs that combine wet lab with computational or quantitative approaches. Members of groups that are typically under-represented in science are strongly encouraged to apply.

Instructions for Applying:

Applicants must apply online at for position and upload the following:

• a cover letter synthesizing your experience and interest in the position.

• a CV

• a statement of research expertise and goals (3-page maximum).

• a statement of teaching interests and competency (2-page maximum).

• contact information for three references.

• reprints of up to three publications.
Your research and teaching statements should include descriptions of your action plan for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and your contributions and commitment to service of the broader community.

Screening of applications for all positions will begin December 2, 2024.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

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