Careers at Virginia Tech

The Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a non-tenure-track Collegiate Assistant Professor position. This position will focus on teaching BCHM 4124: Laboratory Problems in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, while also supporting other Department of Biochemistry educational initiatives as needed. This is a full-time, nine-month position with a renewable three-year contract and potential for promotion. The successful candidate will contribute to the department’s instructional mission by teaching this advanced laboratory course, which emphasizes molecular biology techniques, experimental design, and scientific reporting. The course involves computational modules, protein characterization, and recombinant DNA technology, providing a hands-on experience that prepares students for research careers in biochemistry. An ideal candidate will have demonstrated competencies in all of these areas. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for enhancing student engagement through innovative pedagogy, collaborating on curriculum development, publishing on scholarship of teaching and learning, and potentially mentoring undergraduate research projects. The Biochemistry Department is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and candidates are expected to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The candidate may also be asked to teach additional courses within the biochemistry curriculum, based on departmental needs.

Responsibilities Include
● Teach BCHM 4124 and related biochemistry laboratory courses, ensuring students develop proficiency in core techniques like spectrophotometry, recombinant protein production, and kinetic assays.
● Design and implement assessments, including pre-labs, problem sets, technical reports, and presentations.
● Collaborate with other faculty on curriculum development and updates to laboratory modules, ensuring alignment with the latest advancements in biochemistry research.
● Engage with the department and university community through committee service and active participation in diversity initiatives while promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the course to reduce barriers for URM students.
● Potential to teach other biochemistry courses as needed by the department.

The anticipated start date is August, 2025.

● Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
● Demonstrated foundational knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory techniques, particularly in areas such as protein purification, enzymatic assays, computational modeling, and molecular cloning.
● Demonstrated excellence in teaching laboratory courses as the instructor of record, with direct experience teaching courses similar to BCHM 4124.
● Commitment to developing inclusive teaching practices and fostering diversity in the classroom.

● Experience teaching advanced biochemistry laboratory courses, especially in-person and hands-on modules with student-led inquiry.
● Familiarity with contemporary educational practices, including active learning, project-based learning, and the integration of digital tools like PyMOL and DNASTAR for molecular analysis.
● Proven ability to mentor students from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to supporting underrepresented groups in the sciences.
● Experience in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based approaches to teaching and curriculum development.
● Knowledge or application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in educational environments (UDL Guidelines: https://udlguidelines.cast.org).

Regular

$74,000 - $86,000

12/01/2024 (open until filled)

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 December 1, 2024 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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