Teaching Assistant Professor
East Carolina University    
Vacancy #:  937817
Recruitment Range:  Commensurate with Qualifications
Closing Date:  11/12/2023

Organizational Unit Overview
East Carolina University (ECU) is a member of the University of North Carolina system, enrolls 28,000 students annually, with over 5,500 pursuing graduate and professional degrees. ECU is classified as a R2-Doctoral/Research-intensive University and is located in Greenville, NC (pop. 92,000), which lies 80 miles east of Raleigh and a short distance to the Atlantic coast. A thriving small city and regional center for education, health, and the arts, Greenville offers a college-town atmosphere and is a great place to live, work, play, and visit. It has a cost of living more than 10 percent below the national average and boasts a vibrant Uptown district with restaurants, breweries, and shopping. Greenville hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year and offers numerous recreational opportunities, including access to the Tar River, more than nine miles of greenways, nearly 30 parks and recreational facilities, and a growing arts scene.

ECU’s Department of Biology (https://biology.ecu.edu) is home to more than 1,400 undergraduate majors (BS and BA in Biology and BS in Biochemistry) and instructs more than 17,000 students each academic year. Faculty in the department are committed to providing high-impact training for undergraduate (https://biology.ecu.edu/bug/), Masters (https://biology.ecu.edu/graduate-studies/) and Doctoral-level (https://idpbbc.ecu.edu/) students. The Department of Biology is broad in its representation of different biological subdisciplines and emphasizes integrative approaches drawing from across the natural sciences. Teaching faculty have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in biology and other disciplines, including a community of discipline-based STEM education researchers.

The Biology Department is primarily housed in the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, a gateway to a growing, vibrant downtown district in the coastal region of North Carolina. The Howell Science Complex, currently under renovation, will provide cutting-edge plant growth facilities and teaching laboratories for upper-level biology courses. An attached greenhouse supports plant research and teaching collections. ECU’s natural areas, which include wetlands, coastal floodplains, and forests, provide unique opportunities for research and teaching. One of these, the West Research Campus (WRC), houses a 20-year experimental study in plant and soil microbial community ecology designed for undergraduate participation. The faculty member hired into this position will provide leadership for the program in field research education associated with the long-term experiment.

The Department of Biology is committed to 1) enriching the lives of students, faculty, and staff by providing a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive academic community where the exchange of ideas, knowledge and perspectives is an active part of living and learning and 2) expanding access to transformative and engaging learning experiences that help all students succeed in their academic advancement.

Job Duties              
The Department of Biology at East Carolina University (https://www.ecu.edu) seeks to fill a fixed-term faculty position (9-month appointment) at the Teaching Assistant Professor level with expertise in field botany, ecology and evolution, and evidence-based teaching practices.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach Principles of Biology II (BIOL 1200), our introductory core course in ecology, evolution, behavior, and diversity, in an active-learning format. In addition, they will offer upper-level electives in field botany and plant biology, including a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in plant ecology that is associated with the long-term study at the WRC. The new faculty member will become part of a collegial, interdisciplinary Biology Department and will be expected to participate fully in Departmental, College, and University activities. This position begins in August 2024, with the possibility of subsequent renewal and advancement in title. The successful applicant will contribute to the instruction of the equivalent of four courses during each of the fall and spring semesters.

This position is contingent upon the availability of funds.

Minimum Education/Experience       
A Ph. D. in Biology or a closely related field (including but not limited to Botany, Ecology or Evolution); at least one year of experience with field research and plant identification. Qualifying degrees must be received at the time of consideration from accredited institutions.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education           
Application materials should be submitted online at https://jobs.ecu.edu/ using the position number 937817. Applicants must submit the following documents as pdf files: (1) cover letter describing interest in the position; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) detailed statement of teaching philosophy and experience (3 pages max) that includes the applicant’s vision for creating a learning environment in which all students feel engaged and included; (4) contact information for at least three current references. Applicant’s cover letter and teaching statement should describe how their experience has prepared them to teach students skills in plant identification and field research.

References for top candidates will receive a link to submit reference letters through PeopleAdmin within 14 days of notification. Official transcripts and official reference letters are required upon employment.

Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Dr. Carol Goodwillie (goodwilliec@ecu.edu), Search Committee Chair, or Nick Duncan (duncann17@ecu.edu), Administrative Associate. Review of applications begins November 13, 2023.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Instructions to Applicant
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Applications must be received in the Department of Human Resources by the closing date of 11/12/2023 to be considered.  Please submit an online ECU application for vacancy # 937817 to ECU Human Resources at http://jobs.ecu.edu.

Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

East Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Visit this job posting at https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/65826