Assistant Professor in Biology

About the Role

The School of Science at Penn State Behrend invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Biology to begin August 2027. We are seeking a dedicated educator and researcher passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of scientists. Candidates will be part of the biology department and may contribute to the Women’s Health Innovation and Science Translational (WHIST) Center, a clinical research collaboration with the Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie (MWRI-Erie).

The successful candidate will develop a vibrant undergraduate research program complementing department strengths, seek external funding, contribute to the core biology curriculum, and join a collaborative academic community blending the supportive atmosphere of a small college with the resources of a world-class R1 university.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in biology, biobehavioral health, biochemistry and molecular biology, developmental biology, and/or related disciplines.
• Develop and maintain an active undergraduate research program with potential to align with department strengths.
• Seek external funding to support research and academic initiatives.
• Contribute to the core biology curriculum and collaborate with faculty across disciplines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
• At least one year of post-doctoral research experience.

Research Focus

The School of Science is actively advancing research in areas including, but not limited to:

• Biochemical pathways underlying embryonic development.
• Evolutionary developmental biology.
• Developmental mechanisms underlying human health and disease.
• Comparative physiology.

Startup funds and laboratory space, appropriate to a primarily undergraduate institution, are available.

About the School

Penn State Behrend is a four-year undergraduate and graduate college of Penn State University with 5,000 students across four schools: science, engineering, business, and humanities and social science. The School of Science offers B.S. degrees in biology, chemistry, mathematics, mathematics education, nursing, physics, and environmental science.

Research strengths include Great Lakes research (Pennsylvania Sea Grant), collaboration with Magee-Womens Research Institute (Pittsburgh), and partnerships with the Penn State College of Agriculture and the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, all emphasizing undergraduate research.

Available instrumentation includes confocal and environmental scanning electron microscopes, real-time PCR, LCMS, NMR, GCMS, and access to Penn State University’s extensive life sciences core facilities at the University Park campus.

Location

Erie, Pennsylvania, is a metropolitan area of 280,000 residents and a major service, tourism, medical, and industrial center on Lake Erie’s Presque Isle Bay. Located two hours from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, the region offers cultural, sports, and recreational resources, with modest living costs and affordable housing.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documents online:

• Cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae, including names and contact information for three references.
• Copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
• One-page teaching philosophy.
• One-to-two-page research statement summarizing proposed research and its suitability for an undergraduate college.

Review of applications will begin October 15th and continue until the position is filled. Onsite teaching is an essential function of this position. Employment requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with university policies.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Cora MacBeth, Director, School of Science, at cem122@psu.edu.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children.