Position:  Tenure track faculty position in Cellular Biology (pending board approval).  The position may begin as early as January 2011 or as late as August 2011, with opportunities for summer research or teaching.   Review of applications will begin as they are received and continue until the position is filled. 

Qualifications:  The successful applicant will have an earned doctorate by time of appointment. Experience beyond the doctorate is preferred. Ability to train undergraduate students in modern molecular methods is essential.  Individuals whose research is focused on unicellular eukaryotes are encouraged to apply.  Excellent teaching and involving undergraduates in research are expectations. Successful applicants must be committed to the concept of an undergraduate liberal arts education, and to McMurry’s mission and Core Values.

Responsibilities:  The successful applicant will teach BIMS 1300 Introduction to Scientific Research, BIMS 4320 Molecular Cell Biology, BIMS 4120 Molecular Cell Biology Lab, BIMS 4250 Advanced Bioscience Techniques, and other courses as appropriate to the applicant’s training, experience, and interests.  Teaching loads each semester are generally 12 contact hours of working with students in formal lecture and lab settings, along with three hours of load credit provided by supervising the involvement of students in productive research activities.  Additional service responsibilities grow with experience and include: advising students, university committee assignments, and participation in other university and departmental activities.  

The Program:  The Biomedical Sciences program has completed its second year of existence and has quickly grown to be one of the three largest programs in the School of Natural & Computational Sciences.  Its focus on teaching “content in context” centers on using research projects within traditional lab courses as the structure within which skills and knowledge are taught.   Evidence-based learning results in development of digital portfolios, biological portfolios (biological artifacts from their labwork), and a comprehensive exams to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills.  The result is a graduate whose experience-laden and evidence-rich experience is documented and disseminated for future graduate and professional programs to see.

The Department:  In addition to this position, the Department of Biology has six faculty specializing in invertebrate biology (entomology), mammalogy, botany (biogeography), human anatomy & physiology, and microbiology.  The department offers BS degrees in Biology, Biomedical Science, and Life Sciences (generalist and teacher preparation).  The department is well-supported by McMurry University with modern equipment and spaces - renovation and equipping of lab spaces for field, molecular, genetics, and microbiology teaching and research is set for completion in August 2010.  The department has popular and successful early acceptance 3+4 agreements with UTHSC-San Antonio School of Dentistry (BS/DDS) and Hardin-Simmons School of Physical Therapy (BS/DPT).   

McMurry Sciences:  McMurry has a long and distinguished heritage in its science programs.  Alumni include past presidents of the American Medical Association and the Texas Dental Association, leaders in science and technology industries (HP, Agilent, TI, RIM, and others), successful health professionals, and faculty at professional schools and universities across the nation.  Our graduates are enrolled in many prominent professional schools and graduate programs around the nation, with the majority of our graduates in a typical year pursuing advanced degrees.  McMurry science programs have been invested participants in Project Kaleidoscope (www.pkal.org), serving as one of their Core Institutions and also as a Leadership Initiative institution.  McMurry has had more Faculty for the 21st Century (F21) honorees than any other university in the southwest.

The University:  McMurry University is a selective, undergraduate-only institution of 1400 students.  The University maintains strong ties with the United Methodist Church, and offers a broad liberal arts and professional curriculum intended to “cultivate leadership, excellence, and virtue, in every student, every day.”  McMurry values teaching excellence and recognizes the currency and energy that permeate the classroom when faculty are active researchers.  The University is completing a comprehensive capital campaign that is responsible for the renovation of lab spaces, including space for teaching and research in the life sciences.

Abilene, Texas:  Abilene is located in the heart of Texas.  Its 115,000 residents enjoy the benefits of a large city and simplicity and safety of a small town.  The city is an educational hub for the region - home to three private universities, a junior college, a technical school, and graduate and professional programs offered by Texas Tech University.  It is a regional center for the fine arts and has been widely used as a model for the use of the arts in downtown revitalization.  Of interest to the applicant would be the relocation to Abilene of biotechnology company Receptor Logic (http://www.receptorlogic.com/), the first of at least five biotech firms being recruited by the city.  The City of Abilene has invested heavily in biotech development through construction of the Abilene Life Sciences Accelerator lab facility (http://aif.developabilene.com/properties/abilene-life-sciences-accelerator.php) and other research infrastructure. Opportunities for McMurry faculty to collaborate with these firms and use these and additional resources are available as we prepare our students to become their future employees and scientists.

Application:  Send written letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, research interests, copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required from the final candidate), and three confidential letters of reference to:

Search Committee
c/o Kellie Merritt, Secretary
School of Natural & Computational Sciences                    
McMurry University 
McMurry Station Box 57                                        
Abilene, TX  79697-0057         
Voice:  325-793-4774
Fax:   325-793-4770
E-mail:  merritt.kellie@mcm.edu


Deadline:  Review of applications will begin upon receipt and continue until the position is filled.