Assistant Professor-Biology

Description
Appointment Type: Tenure Track

State Title: Assistant Professor

Bargaining Unit: AFT

Employment Type: 35 Hours per week/Full-time

Expected Term: 08/07/2027 - 06/07/2030

Compensation: Range 22/$93,659.67 - $100,598.59

 

About The College of New Jersey:

Founded in 1855, TCNJ is a selective public institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. TCNJ enrolls approximately 8,200 students, including 7,433 undergraduates and 855 graduate students, 27% of whom are self-described as members of groups traditionally underrepresented in academe. Strong curricular and co-curricular programming have helped foster a first-year to sophomore retention rate of 89.7%, a 4-year graduation rate of 74% and a 6-year graduation rate of 85% (among the highest in the country). Five signature experiences are the hallmark of a TCNJ education: a personalized, collaborative, and rigorous education; undergraduate research, mentored internships, and field experiences; community engaged learning; global engagement; and leadership development. TCNJ has also received national recognition for the adoption and promotion of the teacher-scholar model for our faculty. A strong liberal arts core forms the foundation for programs offered through TCNJ’s seven academic schools—Arts and Communication; Business; Education; Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; Nursing and Health Sciences; and Science. TCNJ has a strong Phi Beta Kappa chapter—an honor shared by less than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally. Among other initiatives, a series of faculty/staff-based affinity groups (e.g., Minority Executive Council, Women’s Professional Network, Parent and Family Network, TCNJ PRIDE) supports a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment at TCNJ.

 

TCNJ is located within an hour of New York City and Philadelphia. The College’s campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township and is known for its natural beauty. In addition to its growing racial and ethnic diversity, the region offers excellent public schools, prestigious medical centers, restaurants, art and entertainment, as well as numerous cultural and recreational activities. 

 

For more information about the college, please visit: http://www.tcnj.edu/.

 

About the Department:

Our new colleague will join a department of 16 full-time faculty, who are deeply engaged across the discipline of biology. The Biology Department is housed in a dedicated building and is home to approximately 500 undergraduate majors, while providing learning opportunities in biology for students across campus. Our faculty members make use of state-of-the-art tools and techniques in classroom and research spaces, often attending regional and national conferences and/or publishing with undergraduate collaborators. Our faculty frequently participate in the TCNJ Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience, an 8-week summer undergraduate research program that provides stipends and housing for students. Many faculty are successful at obtaining grants from federal and private funding agencies with the support of a dedicated grant writer in the TCNJ School of Science. Our curriculum has recently undergone extensive revision as part of our HHMI Inclusive Excellence award, resulting in the use of scientific teaching and inclusive pedagogy throughout our curriculum. The Biology community hosts a regular colloquium series as well as many community-building events throughout the academic year.

The Department of Biology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) invites applications for a 10-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Global Change Biology to join our community starting in August 2027. 

 

Position Overview:

We welcome applicants who will build a productive research program asking questions about human impacts on biological systems and involving undergraduates, and who will be passionate about teaching at a primarily undergraduate, residential, liberal arts-centered institution. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research is interdisciplinary and integrates multiple levels of biological complexity. Research interests could include, but are not limited to, community ecology (terrestrial or marine), invasive species biology, computational biology, plant biology, ecotoxicology and more. A research program that provides meaningful fieldwork experiences for our students is preferred, but not required. Our new colleague will join an active department of faculty deeply engaged in research programs ranging from microbes to ecosystems who make use of state-of-the-art tools and techniques while publishing with undergraduate collaborators.

The successful candidate will teach Foundations of Biological Inquiry, a one-semester introductory biology course designed to actively engage students in core concepts and competencies in biology and informed by best practices in scientific teaching. Teaching responsibilities also include additional courses of the candidate’s design in their area of expertise, offered during semesters when not teaching introductory biology. Note that all areas of biological inquiry will be considered, but particular value will be placed on courses that complement or build upon the existing curriculum. Candidates should be committed to inclusive excellence in higher education demonstrated through, for example, culturally responsive pedagogy and equity-minded student engagement.

 

The successful applicant will receive a start-up package, have a dedicated research space, and can access department-maintained facilities that include an ecology workroom; Scientific Computing Center with high performance computing cluster maintained by a dedicated staff member; an animal facility, environmental growth chambers, and greenhouse; state-of-the art microscopy facilities (field emission SEM with cryopreparation unit and cryostage, a spinning disk confocal microscope with microfluidic temperature control, motorized fluorescent dissecting microscope with a multiple objective heads and transmitted light base); molecular biology equipment (quantitative PCR machine, Tecan plate reader and additional core molecular biology equipment); autoclaves, cold room, ultra-low temp freezers, and biosafety and laminar flow hoods. We are interested in candidates whose research and teaching will connect and integrate with other disciplines (including but not limited to environmental studies, chemistry/biochemistry, public health, computer science, and physics) and who have the potential to contribute collaboratively to interdisciplinary curricular and scholarly efforts supported by School of Science initiatives.

 

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• Have a PhD in Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field. ABDs will be considered only if the degree will be completed prior to the start date. 

• Have a record of peer-reviewed publication(s) in their area of expertise.

• Present either evidence or promise of excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

• Articulate a vision for a productive research program related to global change biology that includes undergraduates in a meaningful way.

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate science effectively in oral and written formats and to varied audiences.

• Demonstrate cultural competency and ability to foster inclusive learning environments, mutual respect for students and colleagues, and the potential to mentor minoritized students effectively.   

 

Preferred: 

• Post-doctoral research experience.

• Use of interdisciplinary approaches in their scholarly research.

• Have a record of peer-reviewed publication(s) related to the proposed area of study.

• Ability to provide meaningful fieldwork experiences to undergraduates within the context of their scholarly program.

• Classroom and laboratory teaching experience, preferably with undergraduates, and in biology or a closely related field.

 

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

 

Employer Qualifications

Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).

 

Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact hr@tcnj.edu.

 

Employee Benefits
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public college career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans

Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program 

Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program

Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee affinity groups

New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)

Access to extensive learning opportunities 

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

 

How to Apply

Candidates should submit (a) a letter of application highlighting relevant interest and qualifications, (b) a curriculum vitae, (c) a statement of teaching philosophy/approach (no longer than 2 pages), (d) a description of research interests and goals (no longer than 3 pages), (e) a statement on your approach to  inclusive teaching and mentoring that aligns with TCNJ’s mission (no longer than 2 pages), (f) unofficial transcripts (graduate and undergraduate), and (g) names and contact information for at least three professional references.

 

Applications should be submitted electronically through our Taleo system.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received by September 1, 2026.

 

The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives, experiences, and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer, we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence, access, and integrity.

Primary Location: Biology Building - Biology
Work Locations:
Biology Building - Biology (Biology Building - Biology)
2000 Pennington Rd
Ewing Township, 08628


Job: Faculty
Organization: The College of New Jersey
Job Posting: Jul 30, 2026, 1:40:31 PM