Assistant Professor of Biology, Coastal Ecologist

Department

Biology, Chair

Compensation

$71,200.00 to Negotiable Annual

General Description/Primary Purpose:

The Department of Biology is seeking a 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor in Biology/Coastal Ecology. Position responsibilities include a 2/2 teaching load of undergraduate (lower-level and upper-level) and graduate courses, including Ecology and other courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. Additional responsibilities will include the development and maintenance of an extramurally funded research program. This will include pursuing and obtaining extramural grant support, performing research, recruiting and supervising graduate and undergraduate students, disseminating research results in presentations at professional conferences, and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. The individual is also expected to contribute to departmental governance and to conduct professional service activities.

Supervisor: This position will report to the Department Chair, Dr. Jim Gelsleichter.

Anticipated Start Date: The position is expected to begin on August 3, 2026.

Working Hours:  Varies

Supervision Exercised: This is not a supervisory role. 

Required Licensure: N/A

Required Qualifications: This position is primarily engaged in teaching, research, and service. The candidate must hold a Doctorate (or recognized terminal degree) from an acceptable accredited institution in the field of specialization or closely related discipline at the time of hire. Candidate must have a developing program of scholarly research, experience in teaching, and willingness to participate in University service duties. 

Preferred Qualifications / Skills: Preference will be given to candidates who combine fieldwork with geospatial approaches, and/or work with large datasets. Candidates that can contribute to the establishment of new research initiatives and support UNF's strategic emphasis on coastal resilience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Additional Application Materials Required:

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following required documents: 

• Current Curriculum Vitae

• Cover Letter

Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references will be requested during the application review stage.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials by the date of hire.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants may be required to upload additional documents based on their responses to the Foreign Influence Review questions. 

• Passport (all pages including blank pages) and  
• Form DS-160 (if ever submitted. If not, upload an explanation) 

Application Review Date: Initial review of applications will begin on November 1, 2025.

Job Posting Close Date: Open until filled. 

How to Apply: Applicants must submit an online application that includes all required application documents. If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Scott F. Jones, at 1-904-620-3029, or scott.jones@unf.edu.

About the Department: The UNF Department of Biology is located in Jacksonville, Florida, at the confluence of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Department offers baccalaureate degrees in Biology and Biomedical Sciences with areas of concentration in Coastal and Marine Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Molecular/Cell Biology. Master’s level degrees are also offered with a focus on Coastal/Marine Biology, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology or Microbiology/Molecular Biology. Faculty in the Department have access to the William C. Webb Coastal Research Station, a 1,050-acre tract of saltmarsh wetlands along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway less than 7 miles from the University, and strong research ties with other agencies involved in coastal wetlands research, including the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and National Park Service. Department resources include a fleet of vehicles/vessels and a 20' x 80' greenhouse situated on the roof of the building. In recent years, UNF has transitioned to an R2 institution with an increasing focus on research while maintaining excellence in teaching. Faculty at UNF are on flexible teaching loads, typically teaching between four to six courses per year, with newly hired faculty on a reduced load of two courses per semester for the first three years. Continued reduced teaching loads may be offered to faculty demonstrating significant accomplishments aligned with the university’s strategic plan (https://www.unf.edu/strategic-plan/index.html). Startup funds are available and negotiable. For more information about the Department visit: https://www.unf.edu/coas/biology/index.html.

Statement(S) Of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Pursuant to Florida Statute 1010.35, this position requires additional information from all applicants seeking research or research-related positions prior to an interview or offer of employment. Applicants MUST fully complete the Foreign Influence Review section of their application. Additional documents (e.g., passport) may be required based on form responses.

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.