Tenure-Track Faculty Position - Applied Biotechnology

Working Title: Tenure-Track Faculty Position - Applied Biotechnology

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 Integrated Science and Engineering

Department: 100060 - Integrated Science and Technology

 

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

 

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: 12/13/2025

 

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:

We invite applications for a tenure-track or renewable term appointment position in Applied Biotechnology, at the Assistant Professor rank, to begin August 2026. Exceptional candidates may also be considered for the rank of Associate Professor.

The successful candidate will primarily support the Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) Applied Biotechnology concentration and work cooperatively across the School of Integrated Sciences (SIS). Other undergraduate programs in the school include Geography and Intelligence Analysis.

The ISAT Program is an ABET-accredited, multidisciplinary, applied science program with roughly 300 undergraduate students and an international Master’s Program focused on environmental management and sustainability. ISAT also contributes to the cross-college JMU B.S. in Biotechnology Program, in partnership with the Departments of Biology and Chemistry & Biochemistry.

ISAT graduates are versatile problem-solvers who apply the principles of STEM and systems thinking to design and actualize socially responsible solutions to complex issues. Students declare concentrations in one of six areas: Applied Biotechnology, Applied Computing, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Industrial & Manufacturing Systems, or Public Interest Technology & Science. Faculty share a commitment to true integration and leveraging their unique strengths for impactful and socially engaged STEM education and scholarship.

For more information about SIS and its undergraduate and graduate programs, please visit: https://www.jmu.edu/cise/sis/

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Candidates must show a strong aptitude and affinity for teaching and mentoring undergraduates in the context of ISAT’s innovative and engaging curriculum.

Teaching - A typical teaching load is three courses per semester, equivalent to 60% of a faculty member’s effort, with support for a wide variety of research and scholarship activities. Primary teaching assignments will include introductory through senior-level biotechnology lecture and laboratory courses with applied emphases. We encourage faculty to propose and adapt courses to align with their dynamic interests and areas of expertise.

Scholarship - Candidates must demonstrate the potential to grow and sustain an active scholarly program that aligns with the ISAT model of complex problem-solving and would provide opportunities for students to engage in industry-relevant practices. While specific research interests may focus on any of a wide variety of biotechnology subfields, the candidate should demonstrate experience connecting that research to and collaborating with a broader scholarly community to address elements of large-scale, complex problems.

Mentoring - Successful candidates must demonstrate aptitude for and interest in engaging undergraduate students in multi-semester hands-on capstone projects, independent research, and Honors College theses. These projects provide opportunities for teams of students and faculty to explore, develop, and expand scholarly interests. More information about ISAT capstone projects and examples of past projects, please see: https://www.jmu.edu/cise/isat/research.shtml

Service Leadership - Our new colleague will support the ISAT and University mission of fostering a welcoming environment for all learners and removing barriers to participation. All faculty engage in service and leadership activities to support the school, college, and university. Community engagement is encouraged.

 

Qualifications:

We seek colleagues with expertise in applied cell and molecular biology, computational biology or ’omics, bioengineering/synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, or related applied fields. Areas of specialization should support and enhance our current personnel and curriculum and provide opportunities for a wide variety of students. We are particularly interested in candidates with broad biotechnology training and diverse skill sets who recognize the value of holistic problem-solving and responsible innovation through integration, and can contribute to our team in a wide variety of ways.

A Ph.D. in a field relevant to biotechnology by August 2026 is required for a tenure-track appointment. A Master’s degree and significant professional experience in a biotechnology relevant field is required for a renewable term appointment (RTA). Individuals with prior successful and relevant academic experience as an Associate Professor at another institution may be considered for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor.

Successful candidates must also demonstrate:
• A commitment to engaged learning, through the application of innovative and supportive pedagogies and continuous improvement, in the context of undergraduate education and hands-on project mentoring.
• Ability to teach a wide variety of courses within the ISAT-Applied Biotechnology concentration including a foundation level general education course.
• Willingness to pursue an active scholarly program that augments the strengths of the ISAT curriculum and can include undergraduate scholarship.
• A strong interest in getting involved and helping to steer academic programs at all stages of one’s career.

Preference will be given to candidates who also demonstrate:
• Experience teaching and mentoring hands-on projects and biotechnology lab techniques.
• Experience as a biotech professional beyond academia—e.g., industry, consulting, government, or the non-profit sector.
• Evidence of productive research collaborations and the ability to seek external funding (as appropriate).

 

Additional Posting Information:

The following documents are required for application:
• A cover letter outlining how the candidate’s professional experiences/qualifications align with the job duties/responsibilities and ISAT’s focus on holistic complex problem-solving (2 pages maximum)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of teaching philosophy and methods (2 pages maximum)
• Statement of scholarly interests and approach to undergraduate mentorship (2 pages maximum, submitted under "Other Document #1")
• Names and contact information for three references, who must be able to address teaching experience and interests

For more information about the JMU School of Integrated Sciences and its programs, please visit: https://www.jmu.edu/cise/sis/

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: (540) 568-6991.

 

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. 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.