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• If you are NOT a current employee or student please click Apply and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work additional information on remote work at Penn State seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Biology at Penn State University Park campus invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.

The search is open to any area of plant biology an area of strength in our department and across Penn State. Successful candidates may work at any level of organization from the molecular to the ecosystem level. Innovation in cutting-edge research approaches including but not limited to cell and molecular biology physiology omics bioinformatics and fundamental research relevant to pressing societal challenges is a key criterion. The successful applicant is expected to develop and/or maintain an independent externally funded and internationally recognized research program leading to groundbreaking advances in their field; to provide excellent innovative instruction to undergraduate and graduate students in the life sciences; and to contribute active service to the department college university professional community and the public.

Competitive applicants for the rank of Assistant Professor will possess a Ph.D. in biology plant biology or a related field before beginning employment at Penn State; will demonstrate potential for developing an externally funded and collaborative research program; and will demonstrate the potential to contribute to the Departments and Colleges teaching and service missions.

Candidates seeking the rank of Associate Professor should have the same qualifications as the assistant professor as well as a strong track record of scholarly achievement external funding and demonstrated success in teaching and service.

Penn States University Park Campus brings together a vast array of researchers presenting exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences serve as a hub for life sciences research at Penn State bringing together scientists from across the University to address fundamental questions and societal challenges. The Huck Institutes supports Centers and Institutes including the Plant Institute; graduate programs including the Interdisciplinary Graduate Degree Program in Plant Biology; and manages shared and core facilities with instrumentation and expertise in genomics proteomics metabolomics and other technologies.

This position features a competitive start-up package. Applications submitted electronically by August 24 2026 will receive full consideration and should include the following:

• A brief cover letter that highlights the applicants most relevant qualifications for a faculty position at Penn State.

• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.

• Two statements addressing:

  • Research accomplishments plans and vision including anticipated funding strategies (up to 3 pages including figures and references)

Application materials may comprise no more than 4 documents each with a size limit of 5MB. Applicants may need to combine materials to meet the 4-document limit and should ensure all documents are uploaded and correct prior to final submission.

The Biology Department sits at the nexus of the life sciences at Penn State where our highly collegial interdisciplinary culture removes barriers to collaboration enhances the value of our discoveries and enriches our daily experiences. Biology is a welcoming community whose goal is to help all students postdocs staff and faculty thrive. Our educational mission is to produce lifelong learners and a science-literate public and to train the next generation of scientists and problem solvers. As part of our land-grant mission we focus on benefiting our local and global communities. Our research has tangible positive impacts on food security health economic development sustainability and conservation.

Questions about the position and the Department of Biology at Penn State may be directed at the Chair of the Faculty Search Committee Prof. Michael Axtell by e-mail at .

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BENEFITS

For more detailed information please visit ourBenefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988 Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security such as those concerning alcohol and drug use crime prevention the reporting of crimes sexual assault and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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