Neuroscience Focus - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics (Tenure Track)

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the College of Science at Oregon State University invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics position beginning September 2027.

We seek outstanding candidates conducting innovative research in neuroscience at the molecular, cellular, or systems level, using biochemical, biophysical, molecular, structural, cellular, computational, or related approaches. The successful candidate will establish a vigorous, externally funded research program that complements and enhances departmental strengths while contributing to the continued growth of neuroscience research and education at Oregon State University.

The department is particularly interested in candidates whose research programs leverage or synergize with institutional strengths in structural biology, molecular biophysics, genetic code expansion, bioinformatics, computational biophysics, and neuroscience, while addressing fundamental questions in nervous system function, development, plasticity, disease, or behavior.

Applicants with diverse approaches, including computational, theoretical, and/or experimental methods, within the area of molecular and mechanistic biochemistry, biophysics, and neuroscience are encouraged to apply.

Research Environment

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics provides a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment spanning biological investigation from atomic-resolution studies of biomolecular structure and dynamics to cellular, physiological, and organismal biology.

The successful candidate will benefit from outstanding institutional resources and a vibrant scientific community, including:

• Advanced NMR spectroscopy instrumentation and expertise.
• Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) sample preparation equipment and expertise, with access to national cryo-EM facilities for screening and data collection.
• X-ray crystallography infrastructure for protein crystallization and crystal screening.
• Strong infrastructure in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and computational biology.
• Access to cutting-edge patch clamp and extracellular neuronal electrophysiology systems.
• An NIH-supported T32 Predoctoral Molecular Biophysics Training Grant, providing exceptional opportunities for graduate student recruitment and interdisciplinary training.
• The NIH-funded GCE4All Center, an internationally recognized center advancing genetic code expansion technologies and their application to fundamental biological questions, enabling innovative approaches for probing and engineering biological systems.
• A diverse and collaborative faculty community with expertise spanning atomic-resolution structure determination, molecular dynamics, chemical biology, neuroscience, cellular and molecular biology, physiology, and organismal biology.
• Growing university-wide investments in neuroscience research and education.
• Access to state-of-the-art NVIDIA AI supercomputing facility as part of the Jen-Hsun & Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex (HCIC, opening 2027).
• University and departmental resources for the care and use of model organisms including M. musculus, D. melanogaster, C. elegans, and D. rerio.

The department values collaborative science and encourages interactions across the College of Science and the broader university research community.

Teaching and Mentoring Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to the department's educational mission through excellence in teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses to support our programs in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, and neuroscience.
• Developing advanced undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with the candidate's area of expertise, including coursework amenable to online asynchronous delivery.
• Contributing to the continued growth and success of Oregon State University's neuroscience programs, including the university's recent effort in developing an online undergraduate degree in Neuroscience.
• Implementing evidence-based and student-centered teaching practices that support student engagement and success across residential and online learning environments.
• Mentoring undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
• Participating in graduate education and interdisciplinary training programs, including opportunities associated with the NIH T32 Predoctoral Molecular Biophysics Training Grant.
• Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative research environment that promotes scientific excellence and professional development.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated record of research achievement in a Neuroscience-related field, and potential to develop an internationally recognized, externally funded research program.
• A demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion including a commitment to education equity and to advancing the participation of all individuals in science.
• A demonstrated ability or significant potential for teaching excellence and commitment to student success which can benefit the graduate and undergraduate programs of the College of Science, including serving online students in the planned Neuroscience undergraduate degree.
• A demonstrated ability or significant potential for mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral or equivalent research experience.
• Research that complements existing departmental strengths in structural biology, molecular biophysics, chemical biology, neuroscience, bioinformatics, molecular modelling, or genetic code expansion.
• Experience with advanced biophysical, structural, computational, or molecular approaches relevant to neuroscience.
• Research approaches that support the education and mentoring of remote online undergraduate students.

About Oregon State University

Oregon State University is Oregon's land-grant institution and a Carnegie R1 research university recognized for excellence in research, teaching, and public engagement. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, the university is committed to advancing scientific discovery, preparing the next generation of leaders, and serving communities in Oregon and around the world.

Within Oregon State, the College of Science is dedicated to research and education in exact and life sciences. The College is made up of seven departments, deeply committed to upholding the values of inclusive excellence. Through our rich collection of people, ideas and perspectives, we engage in healthy, constructive dialogue to learn, inform our research, and make discoveries.

Oregon State University is committed to building an inclusive and diverse community that fosters creativity, collaboration, and excellence. We welcome applications from candidates whose experiences and perspectives will enrich the university's mission in research, teaching, and service.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by November 30, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae. Include a list of publications, highlighting the most significant, and a brief description of research accomplishments.
• Research statement. Discuss current and future areas of interest and plans to establish their research program (3 pages max).
• Teaching and mentoring statement. Discuss relevant teaching experience, course interests and potential opportunities to mentor/serve in-person and online students (2 pages max).
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

Candidates should include in the documents above evidence of how their past actions and experiences reflect a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and promotion of equitable learning opportunities for individuals and communities with varied cultural, socioeconomic, and lived experiences.

Questions about the position or application process should be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Juan Vanegas (jvanegas at oregonstate.edu).

To apply, visit:

https://oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/OSU_Careers_Site/job/Assistant-Professor_JR0001433