Assistant Professor of Biology

Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Biology

Compensation:

$70,000 - $80,000

Department:

Biology

Start Date:

08/16/2027

About this opportunity:

The Department of Biology at Ball State University invites
applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in
Botany. This is a full-time, on-campus, nine-month,
benefit-eligible position offering a competitive salary and a
generous start-up package. The anticipated start date is August
2027.

Employer will consider sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Position Function

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate
courses broadly within plant biology and biodiversity, including
Botany, Dendrology, Aquatic Botany, Forestry, and Plant
Taxonomy/Systematics, as well as an upper-level or graduate course
in the candidate’s area of expertise. The candidate will be
expected to incorporate field experiences and experiential learning
into appropriate courses.

The successful candidate will also develop an externally funded,
field-based research program that engages undergraduate and
graduate students while complementing and collaborating with
current faculty in the Department of Biology. We seek a plant
biologist whose work addresses fundamental or applied questions
about plants in natural systems, from individuals and populations
to species, communities, and ecosystems. A substantial field
component must be central to the candidate’s research
program.

We are deliberately broad with respect to subdiscipline. Plant
ecologists, evolutionary biologists, ecophysiologists,
systematists, conservation and restoration scientists, and
researchers studying plant interactions with other organisms are
all encouraged to apply.

Field botany, zoology, and wildlife biology and conservation are
important areas of strength within the department. Accordingly, we
are especially interested in candidates who can engage and motivate
students through field-based teaching, research, mentoring, and
experiential learning.

The strongest candidates will have a record of accomplished
teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, demonstrated
evidence of outstanding scholarship through peer-reviewed
publications, a well-defined field-based research program,
experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate researchers, and
strong potential for external funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

Will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biology. The
teaching assignment will include Botany, Dendrology, Forestry,
Aquatic Botany, and Plant Taxonomy/Systematics, together with an
upper-level or graduate course in the candidate’s area of
expertise. Typical load is (2-3 courses per semester / 18 credit
hours per year).

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Botany, Plant Biology, Biology, Ecology,

Evolutionary Biology, or a closely related field by the date of
appointment.

• At least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in botany or related plant biology courses

using student-centered approaches.

• Experience taking students into the field as part of coursework

or mentored research.

• A defined field-based research agenda that can generate

publishable results with undergraduate and master's-level
researchers.

• A record of peer-reviewed publication, conference

presentations, postdoctoral research, or comparable scholarly
accomplishment.

• Evidence of grant-seeking; successfully funded proposals are an

additional strength.

• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate

researchers.

• A research program that complements or extends existing

departmental strengths and opens collaborative possibilities.

• Effective written and oral communication.

Department, Facilities, and Support

The Department of Biology comprises 30 full-time faculty and offers
the BA/BS in Biology, the MS in Biology, and the PhD in
Environmental Sciences.The successful candidate will have access
to:

Collections and growing facilities. The Ball State
University Herbarium; a teaching and research greenhouse holding
roughly 2,000 living specimens from more than 100 plant families;
and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, which houses over 2,000
orchids.

Christy Woods. A 17-acre natural area on campus, available
for both coursework and long-term research.

Field properties. Cooper Farm, Ginn Woods, Skinner Field
Area, Donald E. Miller Wildlife Area, and the Juanita Hults
Environmental Learning Center for field-based teaching and
research.

How to apply:

For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:

Dr. Suman Neupane suman.neupane@bsu.edu

Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required
supporting documents listed below. Important: Do not use the
autofill feature for resume.

Required documents:

-

• Cover letter
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Research statement
• Curriculum Vitae

Optional documents:

-

• Doctoral transcript

Applications must be received by November 19, 2026, at 12:01
AM.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing
professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why
we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid
parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant
moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust
long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of
retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your
family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and
personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of
your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or
children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer
is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do
our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a
calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and
download our calculator spreadsheet.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of
life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the
advantages of a university community with the accessibility and
affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and
culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare,
athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s
MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access
relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working
options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them
get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation
• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility
requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should
review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility,
available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community
partnerships aligns with Destination 2040:
Our Flight Path , the University’s strategic plan. The plan
calls our University to work with community partners to promote
talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East
Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of
the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through
MakeMyMove .