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The Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California Riverside invites applicants for an Assistant Professor in Fungal Biology position with a focus on molecular plant-fungal interactions in agriculture or natural ecosystems. Areas of interest include but are not limited to studies of the mechanisms of virulence by fungal plant pathogens, host resistance, symbioses or endophytes that enhance plant resilience, microbial communities involving fungi that impact plant health, and features of fungal development, morphology, or metabolism that are relevant to plant interactions or strategies for blocking disease. The ideal candidate is expected to use cutting-edge approaches which may include 'omics, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or computational data-analytic or systems biology methods.
The position is an academic year (9-month) appointment in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences housed on UCR campus and available to start as early as July 1, 2025. The candidate is expected to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded research program, to work in an integrative multidisciplinary environment, to communicate their work effectively to a broader public, to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, to mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and to participate in departmental and campus service.
The UC salary consists of a base pay of $78,200 - $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.
Required qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Plant Science, or related disciplines; a record of strong research productivity and scholarship; the ability to teach microbiology, plant pathology, mycology, genetics, cell biology, or related classes; and excellent communication skills.
Preferred qualifications include postdoctoral experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching.
Advancement through the faculty ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input.
To apply: Please submit a Cover Letter describing background and interests, a Curriculum Vitae, a Statement of Research/Scholarly Activities with solid evidence of a Future Research Plan (3 page maximum), a Statement of Teaching Philosophy (2 page maximum), a Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2 page maximum), and 3-5 letters of recommendation to https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF01990. Review of applications will commence on December 18, 2024, 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 Howard Judelson, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, at howard.judelson@ucr.edu. For questions on application procedures and requirements, please contact Ashleigh Bennett, Academic Personnel, at ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu.

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.