Job Description

Purpose of Position
The Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology at Christopher Newport University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Botany, broadly defined to include the study of land plants, fungi, and/or algae, effective August 2023. We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in ecophysiology, morphology, ecology, evolution, or systematics, but other areas of focus will be considered. Applicants must be committed to a teacher-scholar model, demonstrate the potential for outstanding teaching with a diverse student body, and maintain a productive research program with a commitment to mentoring undergraduate students as well as graduate students within our Master of Science in Environmental Science program. Teaching responsibilities would include teaching at least one course in introductory biology and at least one upper-level course in the candidate’s area of expertise. Additional teaching responsibilities could include a graduate-level environmental science course and/or a course for non-majors. The nominal teaching load for tenure track appointments is 3-3.

A doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field is required for appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Post-doctoral experience is preferred. In some cases, exceptionally well-qualified candidates may be considered for appointment at a higher rank, and ABD candidates who will not hold the doctorate by the time of appointment may be considered for appointment at the rank of Instructor. Phi Beta Kappa membership is highly desirable.
Departmental Information
The Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology at Christopher Newport University includes 10 members who are dedicated teacher/scholars and actively engaged in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students while working in a collegial atmosphere. The successful applicant will join a team of faculty that integrates high-quality teaching and significant research involving students. The Department is housed in the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences in the 21st century Mary Brock Forbes integrated science center with state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces, and the Department supports field outings during lab courses. Each year, the department oversees an average of 180 undergraduate students in pursuit of one of the following undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Science Organismal and Environmental Biology, Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology, or Bachelor of Arts in Biology. The department also manages the Master of Science degree program in Environmental Science, which currently includes 35 graduate students. Candidates wishing to know more about the department and its academic programs are invited to visit https://my.cnu.edu/oenb/.
Faculty Information
Selected by The Princeton Review to be included in “The 388 Best Colleges: 2023 Edition,” Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience – great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. The University is located in Newport News, Virginia, enrolls approximately 5,000 students, and is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. Our Fall 2022 incoming class presented average high school GPA and SAT scores of 3.76 and 1180, respectively. Academic programs at Christopher Newport University encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide as 3rd among public regional universities in the South and 6th overall, and has recently completed more than $1 billion in capital construction on its 260-acre campus.

Christopher Newport is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We recruit exceptional and diverse faculty and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. Our faculty enjoy an atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect that rewards outstanding teaching and fosters active intellectual and creative engagement. Faculty are productive scholars and researchers, supported by professional development funds. Faculty and administrators regularly consult and collaborate as the University works to sustain a culture of scholarly inquiry, informed debate, and civic action that enriches students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The result is a supportive and cohesive academic setting in which the University cultivates and carries forward its mission. The University is among the highest ranked in the nation for its quality of life and innovative spirit. Competitive salary with excellent health and retirement benefits and a well-designed family leave policy further enhance the workplace. For further information, please visit our website at http://www.cnu.edu.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number F181P
Application Deadline 10/23/2022
Application Instructions
To apply, candidates must visit https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/ to upload a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts (photocopies acceptable for initial screening), statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research interests, a one-page statement articulating how your teaching, scholarship and service would contribute toward fostering an inclusive learning environment on campus, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and three letters of recommendation. (Letters should be uploaded with application materials or emailed to [email protected]).

Review of applications will begin on October 23, 2022.
Applications received after October 23, 2022 will be considered only if needed.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.