Background  

The School of Health Sciences at Missouri State University is excited to invite a new colleague to join our dynamic team and contribute to the education of future health professionals (one of seven open positions). We seek dedicated faculty members who can demonstrate a commitment to inclusive teaching practices, engage in collaborative research, and are committed to meaningful service to the school, college, and university. This position is a tenure track, nine-month appointment at the Assistant Professor rank. The School of Health Sciences serves a diverse array of student interests and career goals, from prehealth and pre-medicine professions to careers in health and fitness-related fields, education, and public health. Our interprofessional, multidisciplinary School offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with majors in biomedical sciences, clinical lab sciences, esports, exercise science, health services, kinesiology, nutrition and dietetics, physical education, public health, sports medicine, and sports and recreation administration.  

Location and Environment  

The School of Health Sciences is one of five academic units in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services with 10 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs of study in human health focused fields. The Biomedical Sciences Program teaches a human-focused curriculum in medical biosciences to offer undergraduate degree programs in Biomedical Sciences (options in cell & molecular biology, anatomy & physiology, human health sciences) and Clinical Laboratory Sciences/Medical Technology, and a Master of Science program in Biomedical Sciences (options in cell & molecular biology and anatomy & physiology). The School research facilities provide a standard array of shared equipment, including tissue culture laboratories, a histology lab, fluorescence microscopes, and access to an electron microscopy facility. Research collaboration within the school and college is encouraged, and research opportunities may be possible in faculty research cohorts.  

Missouri State University is a selective admission, comprehensive university system with a statewide mission in Public Affairs. As the second largest university in the state, Missouri State is home to more than 24,000 students in 102 undergraduate, 61 Master’s, and 7 Doctoral programs, many of which are the state’s strongest and largest of their kind. The university is a diverse and collaborative community, offers support for diverse and international groups, and has collaborative community leadership. The University is strongly committed to faculty development through internal grants programs, summer fellowships, sabbaticals, and the availability of an Academic Development Center. Missouri State University holds honors from noteworthy publications including Forbes magazine, The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Work for Missouri State.  

The main campus of Missouri State University is located in the city of Springfield, known as the gateway to the beautiful Ozarks. Springfield has many attractions while still maintaining the feel of a safe community with a strong family focus. The city has been rated by Employment Review as one of the “Top Ten of America’s Best Places to Live and Work”. As a vibrant metropolitan area of 450,000 people, Springfield offers advantages in the areas of low cost of living, superior health care access, excellent public schools, and a wide range of entertainment, recreational, and cultural opportunities. Additional Information: See https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/78133, for full description of position and to apply online.  

Missouri State University adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and inclusive faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, persons from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. 

Employment will require a criminal background check at University Expense.  

Questions may be directed to Dr. Colette Witkowski, Search Chair at ColetteWitkowski@missouristate.edu; Phone: 417-836-6240. 

Responsibilities  

The position is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty appointment in a program that has a human-focused emphasis in the cellular and molecular aspects of the biomedical sciences. We seek a candidate with experience and expertise in genetics and molecular biology who can demonstrate a commitment to inclusive teaching practices. Teaching responsibilities; instructing, advising, and supporting both undergraduate and graduate students as well as providing access to high impact practices for increasing student retention, persistence, and success. Research responsibilities; development of an active research program involving undergraduate and graduate (MS) students that results in peer-reviewed publications and applications for extramural funding to support research. Candidates should engage in service to the school, college, and university.  

Qualifications  

• A doctorate (PhD, MD, etc.) in genetics, molecular biology, or closely related field 

• Ability to teach courses in human-focused genetics and related electives such as bioinformatics, cancer biology, embryology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, or biotechnology 

• Potential for, or evidence of, application of innovative, learner-centered pedagogy  

• Involvement and ability to engage undergraduate and graduate students in biomedical science research 

• A publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals 

• Ability or potential to mentor and support our student population 

• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds 

• Effective oral and written communication skills. 

 Salary and Benefits 

Salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available include health, vision, life, and dental insurance, as well as a selection of defined contribution retirement programs. Dependents and spouses of full time MSU employees are entitled to tuition waivers for dependents, up to fifteen (15) credits/year. The position is a nine-month (full-time) appointment.  

Requested Start Date: August 11, 2025  

Application Materials, Contact, and Application Deadline 

Screening of applications will begin on December 13, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested individuals should apply online at https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/78133 .  

 Application documents to be submitted online are: 

1. A cover letter addressing qualifications. 

1. A curriculum vitae.  

1. Unofficial or official copies of all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts  

1. A statement of teaching philosophy which must address the teaching responsibilities listed 

1. A research statement including project description, student involvement, and potential collaboration  

1. Optional statements or evidence: documentation of teaching excellence, statement that discusses past or future contributions to inclusive excellence in research, teaching and/or outreach, etc.  

Official transcripts required at the time of hire.