Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Developmental Biology

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University invites applications for a 10-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Developmental Biology. This full-time role has an anticipated start date of August 2027 and requires excellence in teaching, research, and service.

The successful candidate will join a thriving biology community of more than 60 biologists, with emphasis on evolutionary development and embryology. Responsibilities include teaching core biology and biotechnology courses, developing upper-level

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Developmental Biology with emphasis on comparative and evolutionary biology.
• Post-doctoral experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain an externally funded research program that includes mentoring and publishing with student co-authors, primarily undergraduates.
• Teach core biology and biotechnology courses, and develop upper-level animal development courses with a lab for majors and pre-professional health students.
• Contribute to or create course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs).

Education

Ph.D. in Developmental Biology

Job description

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Developmental Biology

Working Title

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Developmental Biology

State Role Title

N/A

Position Type

Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division

College of Science and Mathematics

Department

100006 - Biology Department

Pay Rate

Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position

No

Is this a grant-funded position

No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position

No

Beginning Review Date

10/2/2026

About JMU

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

The Department of Biology at James Madison University invites applications for a 10-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position with expertise in Developmental Biology. This is a full-time position with an anticipated start date of August 2027.

The successful candidate will join a thriving community of more than 60 biologists with broad sub-disciplinary diversity and will expand this diversity through expertise in evolutionary development (evo-devo). Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, comparative and experimental embryology, developmental physiology, and eco-evo-devo (e.g., ecotoxicology). Details about existing faculty research expertise are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/biology/graduate/research-opportunities.shtml). Collaborative scholarship with other faculty members within and beyond the department is encouraged.

The department is committed to increasing the success of all students by creating and sustaining welcoming learning environments in and out of the classroom. The successful candidate will be expected to exemplify these principles in their teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and service to the institution. Please visit our website at http://www.jmu.edu/biology/ for more information about the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expectations of the position include establishing and maintaining an externally funded research program that includes mentoring and publishing with student co-authors, primarily undergraduates. In addition to teaching in the core curriculum for biology and biotechnology majors, the successful candidate will teach existing and/or develop new upper-level animal development courses with a lab for majors and pre-professional health students. The candidate should therefore have relevant instructional experience or a clear plan for delivering these types of courses. The candidate will have opportunities to contribute to or create course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs).

Qualifications

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a field related to Developmental Biology with emphasis on comparative and evolutionary biology.

• Post-doctoral experience preferred.

Additional Posting Information

• Letter of Application (up to 2 pages) that addresses the outlined minimum and preferred position qualifications and the applicant's interest in undergraduate education.
• Curriculum Vitae
• A Teaching Statement (up to 2 pages, uploaded under "Statement of Teaching Philosophy") that describes your planned and/or ongoing approach to:
  • Effectively teach undergraduate students
  • Promote an inclusive climate for students in teaching and research
• A Research Statement (up to 2 pages, uploaded under "Other Document #1") that includes:
  • A ~5-year, undergraduate-centered research plan at JMU
  • Plans to promote the growth and excellence of student researchers

Review of applications will begin on 10/2/2026. For more information, please contact Dr. Rocky Parker ([e-mail]).

JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice

After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.