Assistant/Associate Professor of Biological Sci...

Job Title

Assistant/Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Overview

VP Area: Provost - UMW

Department: Biological Sciences

Campus Location: Main Campus

Advertised Range: Commensurate with experience

Job Summary/Basic Functions

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, beginning August 15, 2026. We are looking for a broadly trained biologist with expertise in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or Biomechanics who is passionate about teaching, mentoring undergraduate research students, and contributing to a vibrant academic community. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping our dynamic new Kinesiology major track.

The successful candidate will join a collegial group of 15 faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences who are dedicated to student-centered teaching and research. The department supports approximately 350 students across four majors: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Conservation Biology, and Kinesiology, as well as programs in Chemistry, Environmental Science, and several interdisciplinary minors. Faculty and students benefit from small class sizes, interactive classrooms, and modern teaching and research laboratories in the renovated Jepson Science Center, which is well-equipped to support UMW’s teaching and research missions. The department maintains strong ties with the UMW Athletics Department and Mary Washington Healthcare, creating exciting opportunities for applied teaching, collaborative research, and the development of a new human performance lab.

UMW and the Department of Biological Sciences are strongly committed to engaging undergraduate students in research. A transformative endowment from alumna Irene Piscopo Rodgers ‘59 has dramatically increased financial support for undergraduate research in the sciences through scholarships, research fellowships, and the Irene Piscopo Rodgers Summer Science Institute, an immersive summer research program for students and faculty mentors. Faculty also benefit from internal funding for research supplies, travel, scholarly activities, and equipment.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

• Teach undergraduate courses in biomechanics, exercise physiology, and additional courses within the Biological Sciences (9-12 credits/semester).
• Develop a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in Exercise Science/ Kinesiology/Biomechanics or related topic aligned with candidate’s specialization.
• Maintain an active scholarly research program that includes mentorship of undergraduate researchers within the candidate\'s discipline.
• Collaborate on the development of a new human performance lab.
• Participate in service to the department, college, and broader community.

Highly qualified candidates will be able to demonstrate teaching experience and excellence in teaching in an inclusive environment that embraces diverse talents and backgrounds.

For full consideration, submit all materials by October 24, 2025.

Required KSAs/Competencies/Qualifications

• Broad training in biology with ability to teach kinesiology, biomechanics, and/or exercise physiology.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Evidence of an emerging or established scholarly research agenda in kinesiology, biomechanics, or exercise physiology.
• A strong record of, or potential for, involving undergraduate students in research.

Required Education

• Ph.D. (by August 2026) in Biology, Exercise Science/ Kinesiology/Biomechanics, or a related field by the start date.

Required Experience

• Experience as an instructor or teaching assistant in relevant courses in biological sciences.
• Research experience and professional achievement in kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, or mammalian physiology.

Additional Considerations

• Success as instructor-of-record in relevant courses in biological sciences.
• Evidence of ability to develop and teach additional courses in the candidate’s area of specialization, and relevant to our majors.
• Ability to develop a research program in aspects of kinesiology/ exercise physiology using human subjects is preferred.

Special Instructions

Please note: You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. To be considered for this position a state application must be received through the online employment system at jobs.umw.edu.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions. For more information, please visit the Virginia Department of Ethics website.

The University of Mary Washington adheres to the principle of equal opportunity. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, parental status (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors in recruiting, admitting, enrolling students or hiring and promoting faculty and staff members. Complaints of discrimination should be directed to the AA/EEO officer of the University. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.