Assistant Professor and Assistant Entomologist in Chemical Ecology and Behavior of Insects

The Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside (https://entomology.ucr.edu) invites applicants for an Assistant Professor and Assistant Entomologist position to develop an innovative research program employing chemical approaches to the study of the behavior, ecology, and/or evolution of terrestrial arthropods. This is a 9-month, tenure-track position that is intended to start on July 1, 2025. The successful candidate will develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program employing chemical, molecular, and behavioral/organismal approaches to understand interspecific and/or intraspecific interactions at any level of biological organization. Research areas could include, but are not limited to, chemical mediation of communication, plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology of microbial interactions with plants and/or arthropods, metabolomics in an ecological context, molecular and neurobiological aspects of sensory recognition, and the evolutionary genetics of chemical signaling and behavior. The successful candidate will also be expected to teach in their area of expertise and additional areas that support life sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Development of new courses is encouraged. Teaching responsibilities may include participation in existing courses on chemical ecology, insect ecology, insect behavior, and plant-insect interactions, as well as developing new courses in the candidate's area(s) of expertise. The candidate will also be expected to supervise the training of graduate and undergraduate students and participate in departmental and university service obligations.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of $78,200 to $101,400 for Assistant Professors and additional off-scale to be commensurate with market value, qualifications and experiences. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include:

• Ph.D. in entomology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related biological science.
  
  
• Experience in chemical ecology (e.g., expertise in chemical analytical techniques and/or chemical synthesis alongside expertise in behavior, evolution, and/or ecology) as demonstrated by publications, research accomplishments, and professional service.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

* Postdoctoral research experience.

* Experience with teaching and curriculum development.

Advancement through the Professorial ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input.

To apply: submit the following to: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF01976

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter - Short cover letter describing background and interests (1-page maximum)
• Statement of Research/Scholarly Activities (2-page maximum)
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring - This statement should be a concise description of the applicant's teaching and mentoring philosophy and include past experience and future teaching and mentoring plans. (2-page maximum)
• Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence - The University of California is committed to excellence and equity in every facet of its mission. Applicants should summarize their past and planned contributions in relevant areas of faculty achievement that promote equal opportunity and diversity. These contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms including specific actions and efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service that addresses the needs of diverse populations, research in a scholar's area of expertise that highlights inequalities, or mentoring and advising of students and faculty members, particularly from underrepresented and underserved populations. (2-page maximum)
• Letters of Reference - At time of submission, applicants should provide contact information and request letters of recommendation from 3 referees to be submitted through AP Recruit. Each letter writer will need to submit their letter via AP Recruit by January 3, 2025.

Competitive applications will include compelling research plans described within the Research Statement. Evidence of effective mentoring, teaching ability and curriculum development will further strengthen applications.

Review of applications will commence on January 3, 2025, and proceed until this position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit their complete applications prior to the above date.

For more information about this position, please contact Associate Professor Kerry Mauck, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Entomology, at kerry.mauck@ucr.edu. For questions on application procedures and requirements, please contact Ashleigh Bennett, Academic Personnel, ashleigh.bennett@ucr.edu.

Department: https://entomology.ucr.edu/policies-links/employment-opportunities

• Ph.D. in entomology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related biological science.
  
  
• Experience in chemical ecology (e.g., expertise in chemical analytical techniques and/or chemical synthesis alongside expertise in behavior, evolution, and/or ecology) as demonstrated by publications, research accomplishments, and professional service.

• Postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience with teaching and curriculum development.
• The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HRSU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

• 3 letters of reference required

Please provide the contact information for a minimum of three references. You will need to request the confidential reference letters via AP Recruit as part of your application.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status.

For the University of California policies on Affirmative Action, Anti-Discrimination, and Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, see below.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.