Assistant Professor in Molecular, Cellular or Developmental Mechanobiology Search

Apply via Interfolio

The University of Washington (UW) Department of Biology is seeking an Assistant Professor in Molecular, Cellular or Developmental Mechanobiology, broadly defined. Researchers in this area aim to understand how living organisms (including any animals, plants, fungi or microorganisms) generate, sense and respond to physical forces, ranging from the single-molecule to the organismal scale. Force generation and changes in the mechanical properties of molecules, cells, and tissues determine an organism’s physical form, and can influence a wide variety of cellular processes including differentiation, organismal development, physiology, and disease. We are particularly interested in candidates who are exploring new frontiers in mechanobiology, including for example those investigating connections between mechanics and evolutionary mechanisms, those who probe mechanobiology using biophysical and quantitative imaging methods, and/or those who combine experimental approaches with mathematical modelling. Mechanobiology is an evolving discipline and we welcome candidates from any background to explain to us how their research fits into this theme. We invite applications for a full-time (100% FTE, 9-month), tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with an anticipated start date of September 16, 2021.

The UW Department of Biology is a large collaborative and integrative department, spanning research areas from molecules to evolution. The Department provides a supportive research environment, and we particularly aim to foster a sense of belonging among all of our members at all levels. We seek a new faculty colleague who will actively contribute to and enhance our eclectic community, and who will be committed to supporting the success of undergraduate and graduate students from a broad range of diverse backgrounds. 

Our Department hosts advanced imaging infrastructure and UW has a large number of excellent research services and shared facilities. We have a new Life Sciences Building (opened in 2018) centrally located on the Seattle UW campus nearby other departments in all areas of science, engineering and medicine. The vibrant local research community also includes the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Allen Institutes (for Brain Science, Cell Science, Immunology and Artificial Intelligence), and a wide variety of other private and public research organizations.

Successful applicants are expected to develop an original, independent, extramurally-funded research program in mechanobiology, and promote diversity and equity in their research, teaching, and service activities.  They will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses as appropriate. 

Applicants must have earned a doctorate, or foreign equivalent, in the biological sciences or a related field by the date of appointment.  Applications will be submitted through Interfolio and must be received by October 31, 2020 to receive full consideration. We welcome inquiries from prospective applicants, addressed to Drs. Clemens Cabernard and Julie Theriot, co-chairs for this search committee, at MechanobiologySearch@uw.edu.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans.  The University is the 2006 recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan award for Faculty Career Flexibility, and is committed to supporting the work-life balance of its faculty. Our NSF-supported ADVANCE program http://advance.washington.edu/ is dedicated to increasing the participation of women in STEM disciplines.
 

A complete application will include:

required forms:

1) Three brief statements (< 200 words) summarizing (a) your past research accomplishments, (b) your future research goals, and (c) your perspective on mentorship, diversity, equity and inclusion. You will have the opportunity to expand on your ideas in these short statements more fully in the full application (see below). 

2) A list of keywords representing your major areas of expertise, methods and organisms.

3) The names and email addresses of three references who will provide letters of recommendation for you upon request.

4) Web links to your three most significant publications. Manuscripts that are publicly available on preprint servers (such as bioRxiv or arXiv) are acceptable.

1 required file:

A merged PDF with each of the following elements in this order:

1. Cover letter describing why you are interested in joining the UW Department of Biology

2. Curriculum vitae, including your full publication list.

3. Research statement, covering both past research accomplishments and future research goals (PDF, up to 3 pages).

4. Teaching statement, describing your teaching philosophy and specific plans for contributing to the educational mission of the UW Biology Department (PDF, 1 page).

5. Diversity statement, discussing your perspective on barriers you have observed or overcome in your career and how those experiences have shaped your approaches to research, teaching, and mentoring. This is also an opportunity to briefly highlight important diversity, equity, and inclusion work you have done in the past, and how you will promote inclusion in your research and classroom environments at UW (PDF, 1 page).