Assistant Professor

The Department of Biology at Tufts University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in viral ecology and/or evolution to begin September 1, 2023. This faculty member will be expected to maintain a research program with an emphasis on the ecology and/or evolution of microbial (bacteriophages, mycoviruses), plant, or animal viruses in natural or managed ecosystems, including terrestrial ecosystems, marine/aquatic systems, natural plant/animal populations/communities, or agroecosystems. Research programs that focus on the ecology or evolution of viruses in lab model systems (e.g. model bacteriophages) are also welcome. Applicants proposing to research viruses of humans or domesticated animals will not be considered. Preference will be given to candidates who synergize with existing department strengths in population/community ecology, global change biology, species interactions, and evolutionary genetics. Competitive candidates will use cutting-edge tools that integrate across multiple scales of biological organization to address major challenges in viral ecology and evolution. Topics could include, but are not limited to, impacts of viruses on ecosystem processes, ecology/evolution of host-virus interactions, viral community assembly, or the movement and spread of viruses across landscapes/populations/communities. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong potential for extramural funding of their research and the ability to mentor research students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Instructional duties will include a virology lecture course, co-teaching an existing introductory microbiology lab course, and teaching or co-teaching additional undergraduate or graduate courses in their area of expertise. We seek a candidate who has a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teaching, and is interested in implementing techniques to promote student learning in formats that are equitable and targeted towards engagement and retention of students.

A Ph.D. and postdoctoral research experience in a field related to virology, microbiology, and/or ecology/evolution is required.

Tufts University has substantial microbiology resources and interdisciplinary initiatives that will synergize with this position, including the Departments of Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the Tufts School of Medicine, the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering, the Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Data Intensive Studies Center (DISC). 

Applicants should submit to http://apply.interfolio.com/111077 the following: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate statements of research interests and plans, teaching experience and philosophy  statement of commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and three letters of recommendation uploaded directly by recommenders to Interfolio. Submission of 1-3 publications that illustrate the candidate’s research breadth is encouraged. Review of applications will begin on October 3, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.

For questions on this position please contact Geneva Frank and geneva.frank@tufts.edu.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a background check and meeting the University’s current COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally. Tufts University has also committed to becoming an anti-racist institution and prides itself on the continuous improvement of diversity, equity and inclusion work. Current and prospective employees of the university are expected to have and continuously develop skill in, and disposition for, positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/