Assistant Professor - Cell and Molecular Biology

Assistant Professor - Cell and Molecular Biology

College: College of Science and Engineering - 323
College

Dept/School: Biology & Marine Biology - 32310

Vacancy Number: 16F-810

Position Number: 731

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of
North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for multiple
tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in Cell and Molecular
Biology starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. We seek
mechanistically focused molecular biologists whose research is
designed to understand fundamental biological processes. The ideal
candidates will utilize functional molecular tools in biomedically
relevant experimental systems to elucidate molecular mechanisms
underlying cellular function, development, or physiology. Research
programs addressing foundational or applied questions relevant to
health and disease are highly desirable.

These positions are a key component of UNCW's strategic growth in
the health sciences, with the expectation that the successful
candidates will actively integrate with and support our developing
biomedical initiatives.

Successful candidates will contribute to the Department's teaching
mission at both the graduate and undergraduate level in pre-health
and biomedically oriented courses such as Cellular/Molecular
Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Mycology, Genetics,
Physiology, or related areas as determined by the candidate's
interests and departmental needs. Successful candidates will
incorporate both undergraduate and graduate students into their
research program.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Biology or a closely related field. Please

note: ABD candidates will be considered;
however, the PhD must be conferred by August 1, 2027,
to be eligible for employment.

• Post-doctoral research experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills &
Experience:

• Strong potential for excellence in research.
• Strong potential for excellence in teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a welcoming and inclusive

environment for students, staff, faculty, and community
members.

Required Certifications or Licensure:

No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

The
Department of Biology and Marine Biology
supports excellent undergraduate and graduate programs, with an
emphasis on hands-on involvement of undergraduates in research and
other applied learning activities. We offer B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees
in both Biology and Marine Biology, and a Ph.D. in Integrative,
Comparative and Marine Biology. Research and education are
supported by core facilities on campus and at the
Center for Marine Science (CMS), located 6
miles from the main university campus. We have an active faculty
involved in a variety of research areas including cell/molecular
biology and bioinformatics, microbiology, developmental biology,
coastal and estuarine ecology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology,
and environmental biology.

Modern Biology increasingly impacts the non-scientific world,
facilitating solutions to technological, environmental, ethical,
philosophical and political issues that are important to society.
The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to
train the next generation of scientists and educators and prepare
all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of
biological principles. The department provides an environment in
which excellent teaching coupled with diverse research
opportunities encourage our faculty to become leaders in their
discipline.

Our teaching emphasizes current theories of biological science,
knowledge of basic investigative skills, and methods of critical
inquiry. Our research programs, in both applied and basic aspects
of discovery, value investigations of biological phenomena that
impact the quality of life in our region and beyond. We lend our
professional expertise to all endeavors that work for the
improvement of the human condition and our environment. We believe
the importance of modern biological principles must transcend the
university classroom and enable our students to contribute as
global citizens. In the pursuit of excellence, our department
actively fosters, encourages, and promotes mutual respect,
acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and
the broader community.

Excellent support for research is provided in unique departmental
facilities on campus such as The Oriole Burevitch Large Animal
Necropsy Facility and UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program as well
as the Richard Dillaman Microscopy Facility. Resources at the

Center for Marine Science (CMS) include DNA
sequencing facility, mass spectrometry facility, nutrient analysis
lab, high performance computing cluster, running seawater systems
and wet labs, a marine operations facility that includes five shops
(dive, oceanographic instrumentation with a 7,000 gallon seawater
test tank, aquaculture, and boat repair), a dock and fleet of
research vessels ranging in size from 13 ft. to our
newly commissioned 73 ft. vessel to facilitate
water-based research activities. The Marine Biotechnology Center,
Algal Resources Collection, and Shellfish Research Hatchery are
collocated with CMS and support additional interdisciplinary
research opportunities.

The department has an excellent record of faculty development and
mentorship and is committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. In
the pursuit of excellence, our department actively fosters,
encourages, and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance
and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader
community. The department is especially interested in qualified
candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching,
and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic
community.

College/School Information:

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs
leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as
well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean
sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and
marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers
combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information
technology/computer science and information systems, computer
science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in
mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic
programs, the college provides instruction and research
opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information
technology, data science, computer science, mathematics,
pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in
the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in
addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology,
cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2
programs in computer science and electrical or computer
engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also
offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in
environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic
information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use
cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research.
Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply
what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world
situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced
study.

University Information:

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal
university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring,
research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class
faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level
for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful
academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical
thinking.

A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a
full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well
as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology,
nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning
options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN
program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working
professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program
focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly
activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral
Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University)
by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher
Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since
1969.

Eligibility for Employment:

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender
background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor
vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal
law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment
eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United
States.

Number of Openings: Multi-Positions

Special Notes to Applicants:

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the
candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate
eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the
credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other
documentation as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on 11/16/2026, the
posting close date. Applicants are required to submit the following
items in Adobe PDF or MS Word format online at https://jobs.uncw.edu/41035:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching Philosophy (2-page max)
• Research Summary - A statement of research interests that

highlights how the applicant could make use of departmental
expertise or resources (2-page max)

• List of 3 Professional References. References will be requested

during a later stage of the applicant screening process.**If ABD at
time of application one reference must be from Dissertation
Chair.

• If needed, applicants may upload additional materials under the

'Other' category.

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to CSE
Employment Coordinator, Christy Langdon (langdonc@uncw.edu), while questions
regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee
Co-Chairs, Dr. Steve Kinsey (kinseys@uncw.edu) and Dr. Jake Warner
(warnerj@uncw.edu).

Position Type: Permanent

Job Posting Date: 10/14/2026

Job Close Date: 11/16/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/41148

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender
identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color,
national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual
orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military
service member status, genetic information, or relationship to
other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability
represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or
where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility
criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

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