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Assistant Professor & Assistant Entomologist in Conservation Genomics and Biodiversity

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Professor & Assistant Entomologist
Salary range: $78,200 to $101,400 base
Anticipated start: July 1, 2025

Application Window

Open date: October 21, 2024

Next review date: Thursday, Jan 2, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside (https://entomology.ucr.edu) invites applicants for an Assistant Professor and Assistant Entomologist to develop an innovative research program on conservation genomics and biodiversity of arthropods. This 9-month, tenure-track position will be available starting July 1, 2025. The successful candidate will develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program at the interface of conservation, genomics, and global change biology to identify arthropod species, populations, or communities of concern and identify approaches to quantify and protect threatened biodiversity. Research areas could include, but are not limited to, conservation genetics, comparative genomics, phylogenetics/phylogenomics, or biodiversity research at the population or landscape scale. The ideal researcher will integrate a variety of modern genomics methods and leverage 'big data' to develop strategies to identify and reverse insect population decline, mitigate effects of habitat loss or degradation, safeguard biodiversity, and promote conservation efforts. Teaching responsibilities may include participation in existing courses on insect evolution, insect biodiversity, and systematics, developing new courses in conservation genomics, conservation biology and insect decline, or other relevant courses, and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of: $78,200 to $101,400 for Assistant Professors and additional off-scale to be commensurate with market value, qualifications and experiences. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include: A PhD in Entomology or a related biological science.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

  • Strong background in conservation genomics or related fields and arthropod biodiversity, as demonstrated by publications, extramural funding, and professional service.
  • Postdoctoral experience.

Advancement through the professorial ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years.

To apply: submit the following to https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF01977 :

  • Curriculum Vitae

  • Cover Letter – Short cover letter describing background and interests (1-page maximum)

  • Teaching Evaluations (Optional)

  • Statement of Research/Scholarly Activities (2-page maximum)

  • Statement of Teaching and Mentoring - This statement should be a concise description of the applicant’s teaching and mentoring philosophy and include past experience and future teaching and mentoring plans. (2-page maximum)

  • Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence - The University of California is committed to excellence and equity in every facet of its mission. Applicants should summarize their past and planned contributions in relevant areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity. These contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms including specific actions and efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service that addresses the needs of diverse populations, research in a scholar’s area of expertise that highlights inequalities, or mentoring and advising of students and faculty members, particularly from underrepresented and underserved populations. (2-page maximum)

  • Letters of Reference - At time of submission, applicants should provide contact information and request letters of recommendation from 3-5 referees to be submitted through AP Recruit. Each letter writer will need to submit their letter via AP Recruit by January 2, 2025.

Competitive applications will include compelling research plans. Evidence of effective mentoring, teaching ability and curriculum development will further strengthen applications.

Review of applications will commence on January 2, 2025 and proceed until position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit their complete applications prior to the above date.

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Jessica Purcell, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Entomology, at jessica.purcell@ucr.edu. For questions on application procedures and requirements, please contact Ashleigh Bennett, Academic Personnel, at ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in Entomology or a related field

Preferred qualifications
  • Strong background in conservation genomics or related fields and arthropod biodiversity, as demonstrated by publications, extramural funding, and professional service.
  • Postdoctoral experience is preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Teaching Evaluations (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence - In a “Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence”, we ask applicants to describe their past and/or potential future contributions to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, which is a key requirement of the role of every faculty member and administrator at UCR. There are numerous ways to contribute, and a commitment to this part of our mission can be reflected through research, teaching, supervision, mentoring, community engagement, service, and any of the other varied activities that are a part of an academic career.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required

Please provide the contact information for a minimum of three references. You will need to request the confidential reference letters via AP Recruit as part of your application.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF01977

Help contact: ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu

About UC Riverside

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status.

For the University of California policies on Affirmative Action, Anti-Discrimination, and Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, see below.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

Job location

Riverside, CA