The Department of Biological Engineering at Utah State University seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level. The specific areas of preference are synthetic biology and synthetic biomanufacturing for engineering microorganisms including genome editing, gene circuit design, synthetic promoter development, as examples, to make bioproducts. Candidates must have an earned PhD in Biological Engineering or a related engineering discipline. The ideal candidate must demonstrate the potential for, or a strong record of, externally funded research, publications, teaching competency, and professional leadership. Candidates are expected to build a rigorous program of funded innovative research with potential for collaborations in a small but growing department as well as across the college and university. Candidates are also expected to be an excellent teacher at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. This is an academic-year (9 month) term-appointment with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2024.

Formal evaluation of the applications will begin on February 15, 2024 and the search will continue until all positions are filled.

Further inquiries should be made to:

Dr. Ron Sims

Search Committee Chair

Email: ron.sims@usu.edu

• Conduct research and other scholarly activities, including the pursuit of a strong externally funded research program.
• Effectively teach core undergraduate courses in the department and upper division/graduate courses.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research activities.
• Participate in department, university and community service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in biological engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• Evidence of established or emerging research area(s) with potential for extramural support and publication.
• Record of success or potential for effective teaching and mentoring.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to collaborate with existing biological engineering faculty on externally funded projects.
• Post-doctoral or relevant industrial experience.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded under Resume/CV.
2. Cover letter summarizing motivation, qualifications, experience, and career goals.
3. A concise statement of up to three pages that conveys your vision of how your proposed research program will: 1) address specific topical areas in biological engineering, 2) complement existing Biological Engineering departmental research, and 3) integrate with other interdisciplinary research/faculty collaborators at USU.
4. A two-page teaching statement that explains your approach to teaching and briefly describes existing or new Biological Engineering courses you would like to teach or develop.
5. Two of your most relevant peer-reviewed journal article publications.
6. Names and contact information of at least three professional references (we will only solicit reference letters from final candidates).

Documents #2-6 should be uploaded under Other Documents 1-10

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

USU Biological Engineering has about 180 undergraduates, 38 Masters and PhD students, and 11 faculty members. USU is located in a spectacular Rocky Mountain valley that offers year-round recreation which is located 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, a major metropolitan center.
For additional information on USU, the department, please consult:
www.usu.edu
www.be.usu.edu

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov