Assistant Professor of Biology Education Research

The Department of Microbiology at the University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Biology Education Research. The appointment will begin on August 1, 2023. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to instructional excellence in undergraduate teaching and to establish and maintain an externally-funded educational research program in the broad area of biology educational research.

The successful candidate will use data science, machine learning, learning analytics, or educational data mining to tackle pressing challenges and/or generate foundational knowledge in biology or STEM higher education. Responsibilities include teaching courses in introductory biology, developing a well-funded educational research program, working closely with departmental colleagues to establish cutting-edge teaching techniques and enhance current instructional practices across the course catalog, and training/mentoring education-focused undergraduate and graduate students in research experiences.

As a member of the internationally-renowned Department of Microbiology, the candidate will join 19 faculty members dedicated to furthering the knowledge of microbial physiology and ecology. The Department is highly committed to the undergraduate and graduate teaching mission, with several faculty members and graduate students recognized by institutional teaching awards.

This position will also be part of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to Advance Teaching & Learning Cluster, a group of six tenure-track faculty hired in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences and the Mary Francis Early College of Education. Scholarship conducted by cluster faculty has the potential to enhance assessment and active learning in classrooms; illuminate previously unseen inequities in classrooms and educational systems; transform educational data into new insights that benefit students, teachers, and administrators; and improve data science education in K12 and higher education. This cluster will strengthen and expand UGA's position as a national leader in discipline-based education research and build on existing core strengths in data science and artificial intelligence for teaching and learning.

The candidate will also join a growing community of 10 biology education researchers, plus discipline-based education researchers in physics, chemistry, and engineering. The cluster faculty will be able to work closely with the Scientists Engaged in Education Research (SEER) Center, the Artificial Intelligence for STEM Education (AI4STEM Education) Center, the Digital Humanities Lab, and the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research. Coupled with the extensive educational resources available at the Center for Teaching and Learning at UGA (https://www.ctl.uga.edu/), these institutions provide an extremely supportive and collaborative environment to utilize discipline-based data to improve and advance STEM teaching and learning across the College.

Candidates should hold a PhD in life sciences, education, or related fields. Candidates should also have have at least one year of postdoctoral experience in education research or teaching, and have at least one semester of teaching experience at the undergraduate level. Highly competitive applicants will have a track record of publication in the field of biology education research, will use scholarship to examine equity in science education, nd demonstrates a commitment to maintaining diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in science and education.
To apply, visit https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/296643

Candidates must submit the following application materials to be considered:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Contact information to solicit 3 references
A statement of biology education research plans that align with the goals of the cluster (no more than 2 pages)
A teaching portfolio of up to 8 pages including, but not limited to: evidence of effective teaching instruction, examples of the use of evidence-based and inclusive teaching strategies, and descriptions of efforts to develop and improve as a teacher. The portfolio may also include example teaching materials (syllabi, assessments, etc.).
A statement of the candidate's plans and vision for advancing the priorities and goals in the UGA Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Plan (https://diversity.uga.edu/about/inclusive_excellence_plan/) through research, teaching, mentoring, and/or service/outreach. This document should be no longer than 1 page and uploaded as "other documents #1" in UGAJobs.

For questions, please contact Dr. Vincent J. Starai at vjstarai@uga.edu or 706-542-5755. Applications received by February 24, 2023 will receive full consideration, but the position is open until filled.

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, its many units, and the University of Georgia are committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and students and to creating a work and learning environment that is inclusive. Women, people from historically excluded groups, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).