Assistant Professor of Biology (Molecular Biology)

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB); Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Amherst College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track assistant professor position in molecular biology. Candidates should have a strong background in molecular genetics and biochemistry, a commitment to undergraduate education, and the ability to develop a research program. This position begins July 1, 2026, and the college values diversity in its faculty and aims to support all community members.

Benefits

Start-up funding for research

Generous sabbatical leave policy

Institutional support for teaching and research

Qualifications

• Commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduates.
• Ability to establish a high-quality research program.
• Postdoctoral experience expected.

Responsibilities

• Teach four courses per academic year including advanced molecular genetics.
• Supervise honors projects and support undergraduate research.
• Contribute to the Biochemistry and Biophysics Program.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Molecular Genetics

Biochemistry

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or related field

Job description

The Department of Biology at Amherst College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor in the area of molecular biology with expertise in molecular genetics and biochemistry, to begin on July 1, 2026. We seek a colleague who is committed to teaching and scholarship in a liberal arts college, and who shows promise for establishing a high-quality research program that involves undergraduates. A Ph.D. is required, and postdoctoral experience is expected.

Amherst College is one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country. The college is committed to providing financial aid that meets 100 percent of every student’s demonstrated need, and nearly 60 percent of Amherst students receive financial aid. Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at teaching and mentoring a broad range of students. The college is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff and works to support all members of its community. Amherst College is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply.

The successful candidate will teach the equivalent of four courses per academic year. These courses will include an advanced course in molecular genetics, contribution to a team-taught course in biochemistry with laboratory, and rotation through a team-taught introductory course in molecular and cellular biology. Additional teaching opportunities will depend on the candidate’s interests and expertise. The candidate is also expected to mount an independent research program that involves undergraduate students, to supervise honors projects, and to contribute to the overall academic environment of the department and the college. Start-up funding, additional forms of institutional support, and a generous sabbatical leave policy are available. The position will contribute significantly to the college’s Biochemistry and Biophysics Program, which brings together a collaborative group of faculty from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy that teach courses and mentor students in their pursuit of research questions that span and integrate these fields. The sciences are housed within the Amherst College science center, which has state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.

Candidates are asked to apply electronically to Interfolio [https://apply.interfolio.com/168795] with a (i) cover letter, (ii) curriculum vitae, (iii) research statement (three to five pages), and (iv) teaching statement (one to two pages), and to arrange for submission of three confidential letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin on September 2, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Candidates are encouraged to learn more about Amherst College by visiting our web page for prospective faculty at

https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/provost_dean_faculty/faculty-recruitment-and-mentoring/faculty_hiring/for-candidates.

Amherst College is a private undergraduate liberal arts college with 1,800 students and a teaching faculty of more than 200. Amherst participates with Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts in the Five College Consortium, offering a variety of opportunities for teaching and research collaborations as well as cultural venues. Located in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, Amherst is two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary, the Book & Plow Farm, and three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surroundings make Amherst College and the town of Amherst a great place to live and work. For more information about Amherst College and the Biology Department, please visit our websites:

https://www.amherst.edu

https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/biology

https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/biochemistry-biophysics

Statement of Nondiscrimination
Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Amherst College complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Inquiries should be addressed to the chief equity and inclusion officer, Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000.