INTRODUCTION

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs seeks to fill a non-tenure track Research and Teaching Scholar position (Assistant Research Professor) beginning in August 2023. Preference is for candidates who have received their degree at an institution other than the University of Connecticut. We invite applicants who are interested in studying biochemical and biophysical aspects of dsDNA virus assembly using bacteriophages as models. This is a two-year position, renewed annually, to conduct research in virus assembly and teach one related undergraduate course per year. The position is partially funded by the sponsoring faculty member Dr. Carolyn Teschke, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology and Department Head.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the research conducted in the Teschke lab. The specific project will be based on the candidate’s interests but could involve investigations of the proteins involved in capsid assembly, regulation of protein synthesis of structural proteins, or other related topics. The Teschke lab uses an array of techniques to investigate virus assembly including single molecule fluorescence and other optical techniques, cryoEM structure determination, synthetic biology and phage genetics, and others. The candidate will participate in the teaching of virology in MCB.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary cohort of CLAS Teaching and Research Scholars and will be offered training and support related to teaching, career development, and resources. We especially encourage individuals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in academia to apply. The Molecular and Cell Biology Department is strongly committed to increasing diversity in the academic pipeline.

The MCB Department currently has 45 faculty and approximately 126 doctoral students and postdocs across four areas of concentration in SB3, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Genomics, and Microbiology, and strongly encourages collaborations between these areas. Information on the research strengths in the Department can be found at http://mcb.uconn.edu. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to form collaborations within and beyond MCB at UConn with researchers in structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics research as well as other areas of modern biology.

As one of the nation’s premier public research universities, UConn offers world-class core facilities, including several centers established in support of NMR (http://core.uconn.edu/resources/nmr), proteomics (http://proteomics.uconn.edu/), microscopy (https://confocal.uconn.edu/), genomics (http://cgi.uconn.edu), bioinformatics (https://bioinformatics.uconn.edu/), and high-performance computing (http://hpc.uconn.edu/). Additional facilities and resources available at the University can be found at our Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment website: https://core.uconn.edu/resources.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in a relevant discipline received prior to the start date of the position.
• Research expertise in the areas of structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, or virology.
• Ability to teach in an undergraduate course related to virology.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
• The ability to contribute through research and teaching to the diversity and excellence of the Department.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Research experience in a virus-related field.
• Presentations at national or international scientific meetings.
• Beginning track record of publication.
• Teaching experience in laboratories or classrooms.
• Mentoring research experiences with undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity through academic teaching and research programs (https://mcb.uconn.edu/mcb-diversity-and-inclusion/).
• Commitment to effective teaching.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, one-year, non-tenure track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2023. The position may be renewable for an additional year based on performance, funding, and needs of the department and college. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. The salary will be $65,000.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.