Assistant Professor - Cellular Neuroscience

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Position Summary:

The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cellular Neuroscience. We seek candidates whose research complements or broadens our strengths in behavioral and computational neuroscience, genetics, development, and evolution. We especially encourage applications from candidates using non-mammalian models such as Drosophila or zebrafish, as well as other traditional genetic model systems such as laboratory rodents.

Applicants with expertise in electrophysiology – including patch clamp, optogenetics, in vivo imaging, or other advanced imaging technologies are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates with experience in data modeling or computational approaches will also be viewed favorably. Successful candidates will be well-positioned to take advantage of world-class imaging facilities and collaborative opportunities with scientists at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and the Univ. of Florida-Scripps Institute – all located on or near Florida Atlantic’s Jupiter campus.

Job Description Responsibilities:

Research/Scholarship Responsibilities – Successful candidates will enhance our department’s interdisciplinary research, engage in partnerships that augment FAU’s role as a leader in neuroscience research, and contribute to FAU’s mission as an R1, research-intensive university. There are numerous opportunities for collaboration across FAU, including with faculty in Biology, the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and the Univ. of Florida-Scripps Institute. Candidates are expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals in relevant fields and pursue extramural funding to support their research.

Teaching Responsibilities – Successful candidates will teach courses that meet departmental needs and offer graduate and undergraduate courses in their areas of expertise. Specific specialty courses will be developed in consultation with the department to complement existing offerings and enhance student training in neuroscience. We particularly value faculty who are willing to incorporate hands-on exercises into their teaching.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels, to supervise MS and PhD students as well as undergraduate students enrolled in Directed Independent Research (DIR) or Honors Thesis credits. They will contribute to the Integrative Biology – Neuroscience Ph.D. program, a joint effort with the Max Planck Florida Institute. More information can be found at  http://biology.fau.edu and at https://www.fau.edu/ibrain/gradneuro/

Service Responsibilities – Candidates will provide service to the university through membership on departmental, college, and university committees. They are also expected to provide service to the scientific community through membership on Editorial Boards, reviewing of journal articles, and participation in grant panels, and service to the broader public community through other potential ad hoc community engagement activities.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

The successful candidate will receive a generous start up package and dedicated lab and office space. Students will be recruited through multiple prestigious programs, including the Integrative Biology Neuroscience PhD program, the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Neuroscience PhD program, and the International Max Planck Research School PhD program in Synapses & Circuits.

Informal Inquiries can be addressed to:  Dr. Tanja Godenschwege: godensch@fau.edu

About Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University is one of just 21 institutions nationally recognized by the Carnegie Classification as both an R1: Very High Research Activity and an Opportunity University for student access and economic mobility. Florida Atlantic serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, offering 170+ degree programs, and supporting a strong first-generation college student community.

Florida Atlantic University has identified Neuroscience as a strategic area of research investment. With over $1 billion in state investment, the Jupiter campus has emerged as a unique and dynamic research hub. This campus offers exceptional opportunities for high-impact interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty at Florida Atlantic University, the Max Planck Florida Institute, and UF-Scripps. The successful candidate will be expected to foster innovation and research excellence, advancing the university’s mission through active engagement with local, national, and international partners.

More information about the College of Science can be found at: http://science.fau.edu/.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field by the time of appointment. Post-doctoral experience is preferred. Candidates should have a strong publication record commensurate with their experience, demonstrated potential for establishing programs of extramurally funded research, and clear promise of excellent instructional capacity.

Salary:

To be discussed with applicant.

College Or Department:

Department of Biological Sciences

Location:

John D. MacArthur Campus - Jupiter

Work Days And Hours:

Full-Time

Application Deadline:

2025-11-30

Special Instructions To Applicant:

This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.

This position is subject to funding.

All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website (https://fau.edu/jobs) by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.

Required Documents:
FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.

The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. Candidates wishing full consideration are to provide the following: 1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a statement of teaching philosophy and summary of planned research, and (4) contact information for three references including email addresses and phone numbers.

Transcripts:
The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.

Background Screening:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

Accommodations:
Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711