Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor of Zoology/Paleontology

The Position:

The Department of Biology and Department of Plant & Earth Science at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls seek a zoologist/paleontologist, with interests in non-human animal biology and paleontology. Specific expertise could be in anatomy, ecology, systematics, evolution, or another related field. Vertebrate specialty in zoology is preferred, but others are encouraged to apply.

This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, but the position also supports the Geology program in the Department of Plant and Earth Science. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester (e.g., 12 classroom hours per week, including labs). The successful candidate will be committed to excellence in teaching at our primarily undergraduate institution. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision and other funding sources. Anticipated appointment date: August 24, 2020.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate courses, likely to include: 1. Zoology and/or Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy; 2. Paleontology (required for this position); 3. Additional course(s) of interest, depending on expertise, e.g., introductory courses in Biology and/or Geology;Ecology;Wildlife Biology;History of Animal Life; taxon-specific courses such as Mammalogy, Global Change (Historical Geology), Sedimentary Geology.
• Establish and maintain a program of research/scholarship/professional activities.
• Serve as Academic Advisor.
• Be involved in department, college, and university service/committees, as well as community service, where appropriate.

Qualifications Required:

• Ph.D. in Biology or Paleontology/Geology, or in a related discipline, at the time of hire.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness at the undergraduate level.
• Research experience, preferably with a record of publication and funding.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Postdoctoral or comparable experience.
• Demonstrated experience or training in innovative science teaching, effective pedagogy, and use of technology in science education.
• Demonstrated awareness and appreciation of diverse student populations and ability to contribute to the University’s commitment to enhancing student awareness and appreciation of diverse ethnic and cultural heritages.

Materials not submitted through https://jobs.uwrf.edu/ cannot be considered.

Submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• A three-part statement, not to exceed 3 pages, covering
• Courses you would like to teach, your teaching experience, and any evidence of successful teaching at the college level
• your specialty in zoology, and your qualification to teach paleontology
• your research and scholarly activity plans

• Unofficial transcripts (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired).
• Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your teaching ability, experience and professional preparation (references).

Inquiries should be addressed to:
Joseph Gathman, Search and Screen Committee Chair
Biology Department
joseph.gathman@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials by December 31, 2019.  A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released.  See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

Through its strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction, UW-River Falls will vigorously pursue three goals: Distinctive Academic Excellence; Global Education and Engagement; Innovation and Partnerships. In support of our first goal, UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research; we therefore seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activity.  The university is also interested in applicants who can support and extend our partnerships and initiatives in Asia (particularly China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India) and in Latin America. The university's strategic focus on international education encourages faculty to develop courses/pedagogy that facilitate the transition of international inbound students and out-bound UWRF students and enhance our curricular and programmatic partnerships in these regions.
 

UW-River Falls Diversity Statement: We declare that diversity and inclusivity are core values. We dedicate ourselves to build a culture grounded in principles of equity, social justice, and excellence. We fundamentally affirm and embrace the multiple identities, values, belief systems, and cultural practices of all individuals and communities. We will address fundamental issues of bias, discrimination, and exclusion.

The University is committed to creating an educational community which enhances student awareness and appreciation of diverse ethnicities and cultures and identities which actively supports tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each person without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Awareness of and sensitivity to diverse ethnic and cultural heritages are especially sought in applicants.

UWRF is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran status, and membership in the national guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or the State of Wisconsin. All persons, especially women, persons of color, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.  Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

For a copy of the UWRF campus safety information, see http:www.uwrf.edu/Police/CampusRecordsCrimes.cfm or call University Police at (715) 425-3133 for a paper copy. This material includes crime statistics (Annual Security Report) and information on crime prevention, sexual assault, and drug/alcohol issues.