Assistant/Associate Professor, Integrated Science and Technology (Biotechnology)

Company: James Madison University
Location: Harrisonburg
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Position Details







Position Information









Working Title

Assistant/Associate Professor, Integrated Science and Technology (Biotechnology)









Position Number

2320









Posting Number

F2048









Position Type

Instructional Faculty - Full Time









Position Status

Full Time









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















Position Summary Information









About James Madison University



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

Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 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. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. 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

The School of Integrated Sciences (SIS) at James Madison University (JMU) seeks a new full-time tenure-track colleague at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor. This person will join the Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) faculty in August 2023 to support the Applied Biotechnology concentration within the major. Affiliate status with the JMU Biotechnology Program will provide concrete opportunities for collaboration with colleagues across units and colleges.



The ISAT Program is a unique ABET-accredited, multidisciplinary, applied science program with roughly 300 undergraduate majors. ISAT prepares graduates with modern problem-solving skills through the strategic integration of technology, natural and social sciences, humanities, and systems thinking. ISAT emphasizes a holistic approach to define and address complex problems using science, technology, and social systems.



Students in the ISAT program declare a concentration in one of six areas: Applied Biotechnology, Applied Computing, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems, and Public Interest Technology & Science. This novel curricular framework makes for an exciting, supportive, and interdisciplinary academic culture, enabling faculty and students from a variety of backgrounds to grow into new areas of expertise and flourish within our inclusive community. Faculty come together around a shared passion for impactful and socially-engaged STEM education and scholarship. The meaningful integration of industry experience, relationships, and sensibilities is another strength of the program.



Together with the Departments of Biology and Chemistry & Biochemistry, the School of Integrated Sciences (SIS) offers a unique interdisciplinary Biotechnology Program as a collaboration between the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) and the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). Roughly 30 affiliate faculty from the supporting units work together to teach courses, engage undergraduates in research, and steer/administer the shared undergraduate program with approximately 125 majors.









Duties and Responsibilities

Our new colleague will teach a range of Applied Biotechnology laboratory and lecture undergraduate courses in ISAT, many of which also serve the Biotechnology Program. Areas of specialization that could support and enhance our current curriculum include biomanufacturing, industrial or agricultural biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, synthetic biology, or automated analyses of biological data. Rich teaching opportunities may also exist in STEM foundation and graduate level MS-ISAT in Environmental Management and Sustainability courses. Course and program-level curricular design and development is supported and encouraged. A typical teaching load is three courses per semester.



In addition to excellence in undergraduate teaching, the position requires an active scholarly program (research and/or application) with high potential for external funding. The expectation is that our new colleague's biotechnology subfield will enrich and engage faculty and students in one or more of ISAT's concentration areas (See "General Information"). Working together is encouraged and recognized within our reward structure. ISAT faculty engage a wide range of students in multi-year undergraduate capstone projects, independent research for credit, and Honors College Theses. These projects provide opportunities for diverse teams of students and faculty to explore, develop, and expand scholarly interests. Excellence in research involves steady external funding, engaged student mentoring, and scholarly products that contribute to one's field of expertise.



All faculty participate in service activities to support the school, college, and university. If interested, opportunities to move into leadership positions within the shared Biotechnology Program are available. Community engagement is also highly encouraged.









Qualifications

A terminal degree in a relevant academic discipline and demonstrated expertise is required for a tenure-track appointment; ABD candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates with a graduate degree and substantial experience in the field are welcomed and would be eligible for a renewable term appointment.



Our new colleague will embrace the interdisciplinary nature of the school by actively seeking opportunities to collaborate across program and/or concentration boundaries, and by leading the school into innovative applications of biotechnology and pedagogy. In their teaching, they will emphasize a holistic approach to define and address complex problems using science, technology, and social systems. An interest in and understanding of first year authentic research experiences, such as SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science), would support our long-standing commitment to accessible and transformative applied learning.



Candidates must demonstrate a strong potential for teaching undergraduates, an ability to contribute to the ISAT-Applied Biotechnology and Biotech Program curricula, and commitment to securing external funding to support a research/scholarship program involving undergraduate students. Strong candidates will also demonstrate an eagerness to develop their expertise by working across disciplines and a commitment to collegiality, equity, and inclusivity. These qualities support ISAT and University goals of integrating diverse perspectives and removing barriers to participation.









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.















Posting Detail Information









Posting Date

11/08/2022









Beginning Review Date

12/09/2022









Closing Date











Open Until Filled

Yes









Proposed Starting Date

08/25/2023









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 Request

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.









Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report

Notice of Availability - Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, the university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, protocols for the immediate notification of students and staff upon confirmation of a significant emergency on campus and other matters of importance related to security and safety. The report includes statistics for the most recent three-year period of reported crimes that have occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by JMU or its affiliates; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes campus housing fire statistics for the most recent three-year period, a description of each on-campus student housing facility fire safety system, the number of fire drills held during the previous calendar year, policies or rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames in student housing; and procedures for student housing evacuation in the event of fire along with other fire safety information.

The JMU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes the Harrisonburg campus and the three overseas branch campuses; Florence, Antwerp, and London. It is available electronically http://www.jmu.edu/publicsafety/clerycompliance/2018Annual-Security-and-Fire-Safety-Report.shtml

You can obtain a copy of any of this report by contacting the Office of Public Safety, MSC 6810, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 or request that a copy be mailed to you by calling (540)568-6769/6913.









Minimum Reference(s) Required

3









Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/13345









Additional Posting Information

Interested candidates should apply via JobLink and provide:
1. A detailed cover letter that explains how the candidate's qualifications fit the position requirements and stated ISAT values.2. A CV.3.A Statement of Inclusive Excellence. This statement should address the applicant's efforts towards diversity, equity, inclusion and/or justice, to demonstrate a focus on inclusivity within the applicant's scholarly and/or teaching activities. The statement should not focus on personal values and personal experiences, but rather on actions and experiences as they relate to inclusivity in scholarly and/or teaching activities (and/or workplace activities, as relevant).4. A description of student-centered teaching and mentoring philosophy and methods (Other Document #1).5. A summary of current research/scholarly activities and interests including plans for securing external funding (Other Document #2).

Keywords: James Madison University, Harrisonburg , Assistant/Associate Professor, Integrated Science and Technology (Biotechnology), IT / Software / Systems , Harrisonburg, Virginia