OPEN-RANK FACULTY POSITION in Theoretical Biology

Vanderbilt; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University’s Department of Biological Sciences invites applications for an open-rank faculty position in Theoretical Biology. The successful candidate will combine theoretical biology and applied mathematics to advance evolutionary biology, ecology, epidemiology, genetics, neuroscience, and cell/molecular biology.

The appointee will recruit and mentor undergraduates and graduate students, teach courses, and collaborate with colleagues to further the university’s scholarly impact and

Qualifications

• Excellence in research demonstrated via publications and grants.
• Strong teaching and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary academic community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an independent, rigorous research program in theoretical biology.
• Recruit, teach, and train undergrad and graduate students.
• Collaborate with Vanderbilt faculty and contribute to university distinctions.

Education

Ph.D.

Job description

Vanderbilt University: College of Arts and Science: Natural Sciences: Biological Sciences

Open Date

Oct 05, 2026

Description

The Department of Biological Sciences seeks an outstanding individual for an open rank faculty position in Theoretical Biology. Theory guides experimental biology by bridging conceptual gaps and distilling signal from distracting biological noise into elegant frameworks, facilitating discovery of new fundamental rules of life. We are thus seeking a faculty member who can use the toolboxes of theoretical biology and applied mathematics to develop an independent and rigorous research program in areas such as evolutionary biology, ecology, epidemiology, genetics, neuroscience or cell and molecular biology. The successful candidate will be expected to help recruit, teach, and train a robust cohort of undergraduate and graduate students in quantitative biology, collaborate synergistically with other faculty at Vanderbilt, and contribute to the distinction of the University.

Qualifications

Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., no later than August 1, 2026, and preferably have one or more years of postdoctoral research experience. Top candidates will demonstrate excellence in research, highly effective teaching and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students, and a desire to contribute to a collaborative academic community.

Vanderbilt University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilitiesand prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors provide equal employment opportunitywithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.