Careers at Virginia Tech

The Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Collegiate Assistant Professor position with a focus on leading the development and operation of the University Undergraduate Laboratory Discovery Suite. This is a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track position with a renewable three-year contract and potential for promotion. The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for establishing and managing the state-of-the-art Discovery Suite, which will serve as a multidisciplinary space supporting student-driven inquiry across a broad range of STEM-based research fields. The suite will foster collaboration among students and faculty, integrating hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology. In addition, the candidate will collaborate with campus initiatives, train students in innovation and experiential learning, partner with industry to provide real-world experiences, and support and/or teach related courses as needed.

The Discovery Suite is designed to be a flexible, interdisciplinary space where students can engage in activities ranging from molecular biology and biochemistry (e.g., protein structure analysis, enzyme kinetics), physical sciences (e.g., geosciences, biomedical, and physics-based exploration) and environmental science (e.g., soil microbiome testing, microplastics pollution analysis). The space will be a platform for students to develop practical skills, work on independent or course-related projects, and collaborate across disciplines while being mentored in innovation, creativity, and enterprise development. The Discovery Suite will operate with a focus on inclusivity, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds and academic interests to participate in multidisciplinary projects.

Responsibilities Include
● Lead the development and operation of the Discovery Suite, ensuring it provides an open, flexible environment conducive to innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
● Design and implement multidisciplinary content that utilizes the space to engage students from a wide array of academic fields, including life sciences, physical sciences, and other STEM disciplines.
● Maintain the suite’s equipment, ensuring all resources are functional, safe, and up to date.
● Collaborate with on-campus initiatives and academic units to integrate the Discovery Suite into university-wide innovation efforts and curriculum.
● Train students in innovation practices and experiential learning, preparing them to apply creative problem-solving and develop practical skills for future careers.
● Assess and report on the student outcomes and success of the space and propel the vision of the space for future use.
● Manage the Discovery Suite team, which may include graduate teaching assistants (GTA) and undergraduate assistants, to support student projects and ensure the smooth operation of the space.
● Support and/or Teach related courses as needed.
● Serve on departmental, college, or university committees as an active member of the academic community.


The anticipated start date will be mutually agreed upon.

● Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline.
● Demonstrated experience in leading or managing educational or research spaces, preferably involving interdisciplinary collaboration.
● Strong commitment to innovative teaching and student engagement through hands-on learning.
● Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, and industry partners.
● Excellent organizational and communication skills, with a passion for fostering creativity and enterprise development among students.

● Experience in developing or managing a maker space or similar innovation space, particularly one supporting life sciences, physical sciences, geosciences, or interdisciplinary projects.
● Knowledge of multidisciplinary project design and the ability to create content that integrates life sciences, physical sciences, and other STEM fields.
● Familiarity with innovation and experiential learning and experience collaborating with industry partners to enhance student learning opportunities.
● Experience recruiting, training, and managing a team of assistants in an educational or research setting.
● Knowledge of modern teaching practices, including project-based learning and active learning methodologies.

Regular

74,000-86,000

01/15/2025

Interested candidates should provide:
1) A cover letter.
2) A curriculum vitae.
3) Names and contact information for three references.
4) A Teaching Statement (two pages max) that describes: your teaching experience/history, including pedagogical approaches used; your beliefs about learning and how that is reflected in your teaching; how student learning and/or teaching effectiveness were assessed; and future ideas or plans for pedagogical experimentation or innovation.
5) A Diversity Statement (two pages max) that describes: your experience engaging with students of diverse backgrounds (e.g., students from underrepresented groups, first-generation college students)and/or fostering diverse perspectives; what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you and how that is incorporated in your teaching, research and/or service; and how you would approach creating an inclusive learning environment in the classroom, laboratory and/or broader university community.

For further information about the position and the Department of Biochemistry, please visit www.biochem.vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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