The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) at Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for the Director of the ASU Biocollections with a concurrent appointment as a tenured associate or full professor. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2025.The successful candidate will provide inspirational vision, quality leadership, and sound management for one of the fastest-growing biological collections in the US. The unique partnership between ASU’s Natural History Collections and the NSF-funded National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Biorepository offers unprecedented opportunities for innovative research, education, and outreach.

The Director of Biocollections will lead according to the principles outlined in the ASU Charter. The successful candidate will promote a dynamic long-term vision for growth, collegiality, transparency, and clear communication within the Natural History Collections, NEON, and across ASU, while building consensus around shared objectives and new opportunities. We are seeking exceptional candidates who meet the expectations for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor at ASU.

About the School of Life Sciences

With more than 100 full-time faculty members and excellent undergraduate and graduate training programs, the School of Life Sciences (SOLS) (https://sols.asu.edu/about/mission-vision) has wide-ranging expertise across the biological sciences. SOLS supports and encourages multiple interdisciplinary research initiatives. ASU offers an attractive start-up package with highly competitive conditions of employment. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and SOLS value our cultural and intellectual breadth and continually strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. ASU’s stimulating and highly collaborative environment provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and core facilities.

The ASU Natural History Collections, supported by SOLS and located in the same building as the NEON Biorepository, together rank among the largest collections of Sonoran Desert biota in the world (https://biokic.asu.edu/collections). There are nine sub-collections: Insects (over 2 million pinned specimens), Fossil Plants (10,000 specimens), Amphibians and Reptiles (~40,000 specimens), Fish (~22,000 lots), Lichens (~115,000 specimens), Mammals (~10,000 specimens), Mollusks (~140,000 specimens), Birds (~2,000 specimens), and Vascular Plants (over 315,000 specimens). The collections play a vital role in the university's teaching, research, and public outreach functions, including lab- and field-based courses taught by collections faculty and staff members.

The NEON Biorepository (https://www.neonscience.org/) is an archive of biotic and abiotic samples collected through the National Ecological Observatory Network, a continental-scale, long-term ecological observatory funded by the National Science Foundation. The observatory became fully operational in 2019 and is expected to collect and distribute research samples for 30 years. Each project year the Biorepository at ASU will receive, process, store, and make available for research an average of 100,000 environmental and biological samples collected at 81 ecological sites across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Sample types include DNA extractions, frozen soil samples, bulk terrestrial arthropod samples, pinned insects (mosquitos and ground beetles), herbarium vouchers, vertebrate specimens, and more. Invertebrates are the largest NEON collection and offer extensive research possibilities. With an estimated collection of over 1 million samples and specimens by 2026, there are enormous research opportunities for those interested in arthropods and vector-borne diseases. NEON is currently moving forward with approximately 8,000 square feet of expansion to accommodate growth.

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in a natural sciences discipline or related field
• A record of distinguished scholarly research sufficient to merit appointment at the level of Associate or Full Professor with tenure at ASU
• Experience directing, curating, and/or managing biological collections and/or collections data
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty and staff members, students, and external communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage a varied team
• Innovative vision and enthusiasm for the future of collections-based and interdisciplinary biodiversity research 
• Experience in developing and implementing long-term strategic plans for the growth and sustainability of biological collections or collections data resources
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring
• Experience with and potential for public engagement and outreach
• Strong record of extramural funding
• Demonstrated successful management of project timelines and budgets especially regarding complex, collaborative projects
• Demonstrated development and growth of research infrastructure or services
• Evidence of leadership experience in an interdisciplinary program or Center, and/or administrative experience within a School, Department, College, or Program

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is January 3, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials: (1) cover letter that identifies the rank for which consideration is sought and includes information (name, email address, telephone number) for three references who may be contacted at a later stage, (2) a comprehensive curriculum vitae that includes a complete publication record, (3) three representative publications, (4) a statement of current research interests along with future vision and plans, (5) a statement of teaching philosophy and mentoring experience, (6) and a leadership statement. Research, teaching, and leadership statements should be a maximum of two pages each. Applications must be submitted electronically via Interfolio: http://apply.interfolio.com/159166. Applicants are encouraged to address how their past, current, and future activities align with ASU’s Charter and the School of Life Sciences values.

For inquiries regarding the position please contact Dr. James Collins at jcollins@asu.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.

Clery Act Statement

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.