Job Summary
Two academic-year tenure-track assistant professor positions in Plant Biology are available at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. We invite applications from outstanding basic or translational scientists interested in contributing to the advancement of fundamental or applied plant biology research. Individuals who study biochemical processes in plants, particularly those who are using computational tools in their research, are encouraged to apply. Exceptional candidates working in non-plant systems but with an interest in collaborating with the broader plant community will also be considered. A successful applicant with these interests will be offered a position in the Department of Biochemistry. We also seek candidates addressing important questions in plant biology; for example, scientists with a focus on plant responses to changing environment or climate, or those who use computational tools and predictive modeling of fundamental processes, are particularly encouraged to apply. Individuals who use molecular, biochemical, genomic, and cell biological approaches in model plant and/or crop systems will be considered for this position. A successful applicant with these interests will be offered a position in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program, interact with diverse faculty, staff and students across campus, and contribute to the teaching mission of their department and the university through classroom, laboratory, or possibly online instruction. The candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates will also be expected to function as an active member of the departmental and university faculty and foster a collegial and inclusive environment. The successful candidates will have an opportunity/option to become a member of the Purdue University Center for Plant Biology (CPB), which includes 34 faculty across multiple departments in the College of Agriculture and College of Science.
College and Department
Purdue University has a large and vibrant life science community. Our faculty span disciplines that include biochemistry, plant biology, biological sciences, molecular genetics, agriculture, engineering, pharmacy, chemical, physical and computational sciences. In addition to departmental graduate programs, faculty can also participate in interdisciplinary graduate programs with focus areas in biophysics, biotechnology, cancer biology, chemical biology, computational biology, microbiology, and neuroscience and plant biology. Core facilities for high-throughput screening, phenotyping, genomics, bioinformatics, microscopy, NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, flow cytometry, metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics are readily available on campus. Substantial resources for field-based research are also available near campus and throughout the state.
The departments reside in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, which is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural-resource sciences and is ranked third in the US and fifth in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 309 faculty, 2889 undergraduate students, and 700 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html.
Qualifications & Application Process
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field, including but not limited to biochemistry, plant sciences, biological sciences, molecular and cell biology, genetics, structural biology, or computational biology. Applicants should have at least two years of post-doctoral experience or its equivalent, a strong publication record, the potential to develop an extramurally funded research program, and a commitment to teaching and hypothesis-driven research. Applicants may learn more about the Department of Biochemistry at https://ag.purdue.edu/biochem/Pages/default.aspx, the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/index.html, and the Purdue University Center for Plant Biology at https://ag.purdue.edu/cpb/. Applicants should indicate in their application their department of greatest interest.
Purdue University is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Purdue is an ADVANCE institution – https://www.purdue.edu/advance-purdue/.
Applications should include in a single pdf file a cover letter, curriculum vitae, two-page summary of research interests, a one-page teaching statement, and the names and contact information for three references. Screening of applications will begin November 30, 2023, and will continue until the positions are filled. A background check is required for employment in this position.
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.