Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; City of Cortland (NY); On-site; USD 57,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

SUNY Cortland is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences to begin August 2027. The Department offers four undergraduate majors and emphasizes innovative teaching, undergraduate-focused research, and service to the university.

Candidates must be committed to inclusive excellence and to mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. The successful candidate will teach introductory and upper-level organismal biology courses, establish an active undergraduate research program

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or doctoral candidate, all but dissertation (ABD) with degree by August 2027 in Zoology, Plant Biology, Wildlife Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related field.
• Evidence of effective teaching.
• Scholarly productivity with peer-reviewed publications and a plan for engaging undergraduates in research.
• Evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Teach majors-level introductory organismal biology (BIO212) and upper-level electives with labs; electives may include Plant Biology, Wildlife Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Vertebrate Biology, Entomology, Mycology, Field Biology, Animal Behavior, or other organismal topics.
• Maintain an active undergraduate research program with potential for external funding.
• Provide department and university service including advisement and mentoring for students of diverse backgrounds.

Skills

Teaching experience

Diversity commitment

Education

PhD or ABD in Zoology/Plant Biology/Wildlife Biology/Evolutionary Biology or related field

Job description

Position Details

Budget Title: Assistant Professor

Campus Title: Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

School/Division: Academic Affairs, Division of

Department: Biological Sciences

Faculty Sub-Type: FT Faculty

Salary Level: A5

Salary Range: $67,200 + depending on experience (DOE)

Position Effort: Full-Time

Is this a temporary position?: No

Position Summary

SUNY Cortland is an engaged learning community that is committed to promoting diversity of thought and experience. We believe that an equitable, inclusive and diverse campus and curriculum are critical to our educational mission. Tenure-track faculty contribute to the University's values of inclusive excellence through outstanding teaching, research and/or scholarship, service to the department and university, and by providing academic advisement and mentoring to/for all students. Faculty are expected to maintain a routine presence on campus to support our campus values of focusing on the students, integrity, and intellectual life and serve our campus priorities of academic excellence, transformational education, well-being, and the maximization of resources.

The Biological Sciences Department at SUNY Cortland seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin August 2027. We are a large and diverse department that offers four undergraduate majors: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Conservation Biology and Adolescence Education in Biology. Our faculty contribute to the University’s values of inclusive excellence through (1) innovative teaching, (2) research and/or scholarship that engages undergraduates, and (3) service to the department and university.

Starting Salary

$67,200 + depending on experience ( DOE)

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university's state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor's approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. ExperienceCortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

• Teach majors-level introductory organismal biology (BIO212 Fundamentals of Organismal Biology) and upper-level electives in organismal biology with laboratory sections that complements existing courses and faculty expertise. Upper-level electives could include but are not limited to Plant Biology, Wildlife Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Vertebrate Biology (or subdiscipline such as ichthyology, herpetology, ornithology, ormammalogy), Entomology, Mycology, Field Biology, Animal Behavior or other organismal elective in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Maintain an active research program in an area of organismal biology that involves undergraduates and has the potential for external funding.
• Provide service to the department and university that includes advisement and mentorship of students with diverse backgrounds.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Assistant professors will mentor undergraduate students in research, supervise internships, participate in service activities for the department and campus community, and advise students in the Biological Sciences.
• Faculty members report directly to the academic chair of the Biological Sciences Department in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or doctoral candidate, all but dissertation (ABD) (with degree conferral by August 2027) in Zoology, Plant Biology, Wildlife Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field.
• Evidence of effective teaching.
• Scholarly productivity with peer-reviewed publications including a detailed plan for engaging undergraduates in their research.
• Evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of postdoctoral experience and/or formal experience as instructor of record for undergraduate course(s).

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNYCortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine's "Best Colleges for Your Money List," fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

Please note:

Individuals must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

EEO Statement

The State University of New York at Cortland is an affirmative action/Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act (AA/ EEO / ADA) employer. The university actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the university.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: F26005

Review Start Date: 09/29/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes