Tenure-Track Position in Vertebrate Biology

The Department of Biology at John Carroll University seeks a vertebrate biologist for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. Candidates should have a Ph.D., with peer-reviewed publications in their field; competitive applicants will have teaching experience and/or postdoctoral training. The successful applicant will teach the two-semester Human Anatomy and Physiology course for students interested in allied health professions, as well as courses in our introductory sequence for majors. He/she also will develop upper-level courses in his/her specialty, such as ichthyology, mammalogy, or ornithology, and may teach biology courses for non-science majors. Our department has a long-standing tradition of hiring broadly trained scientists who can teach courses that span two of three majors within biology. Additionally, we desire a candidate who will embrace the department's emphasis on evolution, the environment, and ethics in science. Research interest is open, but the applicant must be able to develop an active research program involving undergraduate and M.S. students and be able to publish regularly. To apply, please submit by December 21, 2009: letter of interest; curriculum vitae; teaching philosophy; research statement; unofficial transcripts; and three reference letters to Vertebrate Biologist Search Committee, Department of Biology, John Carroll University, 20700 N. Park Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118. John Carroll University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.

About the Department:

The department is composed of 9 tenure and tenure-track faculty (2 full professors, 5 associate professors, and 2 assistant professors), 1 visiting assistant professor, 1 laboratory instructor, and 13 graduate students. We offer three undergraduate majors: Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Science, and Biology.  There are ~160 students in each incoming class and ~60 students who graduate with one of three Bachelor of Science degrees each year; this makes Biology one of the most heavily populated majors in the College of Arts and Sciences.  Department members are proud of the research and service opportunities we provide for students and enjoy working in a collaborative environment. A high degree of emphasis is placed on mentoring new faculty members and helping them successfully work towards tenure.

Teaching:  

Teaching assignments are 24 hours per academic year.  However, research-active faculty members teach 18 per academic year.  Additionally, faculty members are not required to teach in the summer, as this work is outside the normal nine-month contract. The successful candidate initially will teach our two semester sequence in Human Anatomy and Physiology. In subsequent years, this person will alternate teaching or coordinating part-time instruction of this course. This model will allow the vertebrate biologist to develop courses in his/her area of expertise and participate in other departmental courses.

Tentative Fall 2010 schedule
Anatomy and Physiology, 6 contact hours (which breaks down to three 50-minute lectures per week; two 3-hour laboratory sections per week; ~ 32 students total)
One additional lecture course, 3 contact hours (likely either Principles of Biology I or III, depending on specialization; three 50-minute lectures per week; ~ 32 students)

Tentative Spring 2011 schedule
Anatomy and Physiology, 6 contact hours (three 50-minute lectures per week; two 3-hour laboratory sections per week; ~ 32 students total)
Principles of Biology II lecture, 3 contact hours (three 50-minute lectures per week; ~ 32 students)

Research:

Facilities in the department are located in the newly built Dolan Center for Science and Technology. Each faculty member has his or her own research laboratory fitted with ample equipment to fulfill their needs. Equipment used in undergraduate and graduate research labs is available for faculty use (see list below). Additionally, faculty collaborate with researchers at nearby institutions, such as Cleveland State University, the University of Akron, and the Cleveland Clinic.

Start-up funds for research will be provided.  The Biology Department receives yearly funding for supplies and equipment.  Extramural funding is not required, but it is encouraged. 

The university is committed to provide travel and registration funds for faculty to present research at regional, national, and international conferences.

Biology faculty mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research.  Graduate students are funded through teaching assistantships, whereas summer undergraduate research students are supported by the Huntington/Codrington Foundation Summer Research Program. Typically, junior faculty members have mentored at least one student per summer, when interested in the program.

Internal support for faculty salary ($5000/summer) is available through the competitive Faculty Summer Research Fellowships that are administered by the Office of the Academic Vice President. 

Competitive research sabbaticals are available for untenured faculty after their fourth year of service to the University. Grauel Faculty Fellowships (i.e., sabbaticals) are available for one semester at full salary or one year at half salary. Generally, those opting for a full year of sabbatical obtain the additional salary through extramural funds.

Research equipment within department
Olympus IX71 inverted research microscope
Olympus SZ-STS binocular dissecting scope with Olympus DP70 microscope digital camera head
Shared use of a standard histology laboratory for examining gross material and histological sections
Aquatics room
Laboratory space available to rear animals for research purposes
Shared use molecular laboratory
Shared use of standard field gear and equipment

About University Heights and the Greater Cleveland Area:

John Carroll University is located in University Heights, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland. Within the local area are numerous museums, access to professional sports teams, Severance Hall and the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, a lively local arts scene, and a burgeoning food culture. The Cleveland area also has an extensive metropark system, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a 40 minute drive from campus. Other natural areas of interest include the Lake Erie shoreline and local nature preserves.