ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY (ORNITHOLOGY)

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Georgia College & State University invites applications for a tenure track position in Ornithology to begin in August 2025. We seek a highly trained individual who is committed to liberal arts education, can demonstrate excellence in teaching and research, and possesses the ability to work with a culturally diverse student population. The primary teaching responsibility will include Ornithology and Field Ornithology, as well as introductory courses in the biological and environmental sciences, core curriculum, and other upper-level courses in the catalog that support our two majors and graduate program. Teaching responsibilities will include 12 contact hours/semester. The candidate will be expected to develop an ornithology research program that takes advantage of our existing facilities, mentor both undergraduate and graduate research students, and collaborate with existing research endeavors in the department.

There are two undergraduate majors within the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. We currently have 26 full time faculty members in the department with about 380 undergraduate biology majors, 110 environmental science majors, and an M.S. program in biology with approximately 25 students pursuing thesis and non-thesis degrees. For more information about the department visit us at http://www.gcsu.edu/biology/

 Knowledge/Skills and Abilities: 

•        Ability to teach Ornithology, Field Ornithology, introductory biology and other upper-division courses within our catalog.

•        Ability to contribute to the core curriculum.

•        Ability to engage undergraduate and graduate students in research related to any area in ornithology.

•        Ability to work collegially and effectively with university students, faculty, and staff as well as the surrounding community. 

•        Demonstrable ability to work collegially and effectively with individuals across diverse backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:  

•        Ph.D. required (ABD with a completion by August 1, 2025, will be considered) in Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, or a related field.

•        Research experience, as demonstrated by publication record.

•        Undergraduate teaching experience. 

•        Must meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements stated in C.S. 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org (faculty credentials))

Preferred Qualifications: 

•        We are particularly interested in candidates with a record of methodological innovation and creative teaching strategies, particularly those that deliver authentic research experiences to students in the classroom.

•        The ability to teach courses in vertebrate paleontology or animal behavior is a plus.

•        At least two years of experience teaching undergraduate courses with at least one year as instructor of record.

•        Ability and willingness to engage undergraduates and graduates in research.

Interested candidates should apply online at https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/employment-opportunities and include a letter of application, vitae, 1-page teaching philosophy, 1-page research statement, unofficial transcripts, and names and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin November 11, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, 34 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates and continuing education programs. 

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, diversity, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, now owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is committed to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting the freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.