Description

Appointment Type: Tenure Track
State Title: Assistant Professor
Bargaining Unit: AFT
Employment Type: 35 hours per week/Full-time
Expected Term: 8/8/2026 - 6/9/2029
Compensation: Range 22/$ 93,659.67 - $ 100,598.59

About TCNJ
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a highly selective institution that is consistently recognized as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. Founded in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School, TCNJ maintains the eighth highest four-year graduation rate among all public colleges and universities. It is ranked by Money as one of the top 15 public colleges "most likely to pay off financially," and U.S. News & World Report rates it the No. 1 public institution among regional universities in the northeast.

About the Department
Our new colleague will join a department of 17 full-time faculty, who are deeply engaged across the discipline of biology. The Biology Department is housed in a dedicated building and is home to approximately 500 undergraduate majors, while providing learning opportunities in biology for students across campus. Our faculty members make use of state-of-the-art tools and techniques in classroom and research spaces, often attending regional and national conferences and/or publishing with undergraduate collaborators. Our faculty frequently participate in the TCNJ Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience, an 8-week summer undergraduate research program. Many faculty are successful at obtaining grants from federal and private funding agencies with the support of a dedicated grant writer in the TCNJ School of Science. Our curriculum has recently undergone extensive revision as part of our HHMI Inclusive Excellence award resulting in the use of scientific teaching and inclusive pedagogy throughout our curriculum. The Biology community hosts a regular colloquium series as well as many community-building events throughout the academic year.

Position Overview:
The Department of Biology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) invites applications for a 10-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cell and Molecular Biology to join our community starting in August 202 6.

We welcome applicants who are broadly trained in cell and molecular biology. We seek to hire a colleague who will build a productive research program incorporating cell and/or molecular biology and involving undergraduates and who will be passionate about teaching at a primarily undergraduate, residential, liberal arts-centered institution. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research involves eukaryotic systems. Research interests could include, but are not limited to, cell physiology, biochemistry, developmental biology, immunology, molecular genetics, neurobiology, plant biology, structural biology, and more. Our new colleague will join an active department of faculty deeply engaged in research programs ranging from microbes to ecosystems who make use of state-of-the-art tools and techniques while publishing with undergraduate collaborators.

The successful candidate will teach Cell Biology and Biochemistry, a 200 level core course in our program that was recently redesigned with support from an HHMI Inclusive Excellence grant awarded to the TCNJ School of Science. Teaching responsibilities also include an upper-level course of the candidate's design in their area of expertise; note that all areas of biological inquiry will be considered, but particular value will be placed on courses that complement or build upon the existing curriculum . Can didates should be committed to inclusive excellence in higher education demonstrated through, for example, culturally responsive pedagogy and equity-minded student engagement.

The successful applicant will receive a start-up package, have a dedicated research space, and can access department-maintained facilities that include a spinning disk confocal microscope with microfluidic temperature control; field emission SEM with cryopreparation unit and cryostage; quantitative PCR machines, Tecan plate reader and additional core molecular biology equipment; autoclaves, ultra-low temp freezers, biosafety and laminar flow hoods; a Scientific Computing Center with high performance computing cluster maintained by a dedicated staff member; animal facility, environmental growth chambers, and greenhouse. We are interested in candidates whose research and teaching will connect and integrate with other disciplines and who have the potential to contribute collaboratively to interdisciplinary curricular and scholarly efforts.

TCNJ has a strong commitment to inclusive excellence in our community and to supporting a healthy work-life balance for our faculty of teacher-scholars. T eaching and research are mutually supportive activities at TCNJ. Candidates should be strongly committed to the teacher-scholar model, to maintaining both high quality teaching and an active and productive program of scholarship. Faculty members are encouraged and supported in seeking external funding consistent with this mission. They also serve as academic advisors and have service responsibilities within their department, school, and the college. TCNJ supports its community of teacher-scholars through a progressive faculty workload model, generous internal grant and sabbatical programs, professional travel, engaging professional development programs, and other mechanisms.

Qualifications:



Required:

• Have a PhD in Cell and/or Molecular Biology, or a closely related field . ABDs will be considered only if the degree will be completed prior to the start date.

• Have a record of peer-reviewed publication(s) in area of expertise.

• Present either evidence or promise of excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

• Articulate a vision for a productive cell and/or molecular biology research program that includes undergraduates in a meaningful way.

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate science effectively in oral and written formats and to varied audiences.

• Demonstrate cultural competency and ability to foster inclusive learning environments , mutual respect for students and colleagues, and the potential to mentor minoritized students effectively.

Preferred:



• Post-doctoral research experience.

• Use of eukaryotic system(s) in scholarly research.

• Classroom and laboratory teaching experience, preferably with undergraduates, as instructor of record, and in cell and/or molecular biology or a closely related field.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

Employer Qualifications
Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).

Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact hr@tcnj.edu .

Employee Benefits
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee affinity groups
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
• Access to extensive learning opportunities

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

How to Apply
C andidates should submit (a) a letter of application highlighting relevant intere st and qualifications, (b) a curriculum vitae, (c) a statement of teaching philosophy/approach (no longer than 2 pages) , (d) a description of research interests and goals (no longer than 3 pages), (e) a statement on your approach to inclusive teaching and mentoring that aligns with TCNJ's mission ( no longer than 2 pages ) , (f) unofficial transcripts (graduate and undergraduate), and (g) names and contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications should be submitted electronically through our Taleo system https://tcnj.taleo.net/careersection/00_ex_faculty/jobdetail.ftl?job=25000811&tz=GMT-04:00&tzname=America/New_York . Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received by August 15, 2025, but review of applications will continue through September 15, 2025.



The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives, experiences, and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer, we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence, access, and integrity.