Distinguished Professor

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. It is a lively center of scientific discovery with a commitment to collaboration. Its large research base spans many areas of biology and supports several outstanding graduate programs.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, postdocs, and graduate students routinely interact with colleagues at nearby Duke and North Carolina State Universities, and institutions in the Research Triangle Park. The quality of life in North Carolina's Triangle area is consistently ranked among the highest in the nation.

The Department of Biology consists of over 50 faculty engaged in basic and interdisciplinary research, within the department and between other departments and schools at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics is consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for NIH funding and consists of 26 active research groups that are highly collaborative within the scientific community. The Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences consist of 22 faculty members, a $15M annual grant portfolio, and promotes the integration of foundational discoveries into the translational research pipeline.

Department of Biology (Biology)

The Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of new and existing knowledge in the broad discipline of Biology by maintaining a high-quality faculty who integrate cutting-edge research and student-focused teaching.

Biology is one of the largest academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences with over 3,450 majors and an enrolment of undergraduate students in over 7,870 seats in Biology classes each semester. Each fall or spring semester, Biology offers 52 classes (70 sections) and 13 lab courses (93 sections). Biology's average total annual expenditure exceeds $24 million, with nearly half of that coming from grant sponsored research. Biology has nearly $70 million in active grants to support our twin missions of research and teaching. The large research base spans many areas of biology and supports several outstanding graduate programs. The Biology faculty consist of 51 tenure-track faculty, 12 teaching faculty, 5 research faculty, and numerous active adjunct and emeritus faculty who are engaged in basic and interdisciplinary research and teaching, both within the department and between other departments and schools at UNC.

Biology currently has 50 graduate students and 30 post-docs and employs approximately 85 additional graduate and undergraduate students from across the university to assist in the teaching and research missions. Further, Biology is supported by an administrative staff of 20, with an additional 20 staff directly supporting research.

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics ( BCBP)

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics is one of the basic science departments in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its mission is 'to inspire tomorrow's discoveries and cures by decoding the molecular basis of life.'

Biochemistry and Biophysics hosts a successful PhD program with a high graduation rate focused on scientific discovery and dissemination alongside professional development and community-enhancing activities. BCBP is consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for NIH funding. BCBP's research teams generate an average of at least 130 publications each year. The Department currently consists of 25 active research groups that are highly collaborative within a scientific community that spans the UNC campus, nation, and world.

UNC has a strong research infrastructure with many excellent core laboratories for research computing, macromolecular structure and interactions, sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, animal models, functional genomics, quantitative imaging, as well as others.

Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences (iBGS)

The Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill operates at the interface between the UNC-CH School of Medicine (SoM) and the College of Arts and Sciences ( CAS). The central mission of iBGS is to support research into the mechanisms by which molecules and cells coordinate organismal development and function using model systems and genomics-based approaches. With 22 faculty members and a roughly $15M/yr grant portfolio, iBGS is uniquely well situated to support and promote the integration of foundational discoveries into the translational research pipeline.

The position of Distinguished Professor is a tenure / tenure-track level research position, serving jointly between the Department of Biology, the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences.

The Distinguished Professor is responsible for studying fundamental aspects of cell biological function during animal development, with a focus on genome structure, maintenance, and function. Their work will primarily entail studies with non-mammalian experimental organisms, especially those like Drosophila melanogaster that can provide new functional insights at the molecular and cellular level.

The Distinguished Professor is expected to establish and maintain a vibrant independent research program that provides excellent education and training for a community of graduate, undergraduate, and post-doctoral trainees. They will expand collaborations with other UNC-Chapel Hill departments/units/program beyond the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine, improve visibility of the departments through scholarly accomplishment, and teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels at least one course per academic year.

All candidates must have earned a PhD or relevant terminal degree.

Applicants should have a successful record of excellence and productivity in research and a desire to teach undergraduate and graduate students.

The position also requires creativity and original thinking, pedagogical adaptability, organizational skills, leadership skills, resilience, perseverance, patience, and communication skills.

Physical requirements often include standing or walking for prolonged periods, extended periods of sitting, ability to safely lift or move up to 25 lbs., and sufficient mobility to navigate classroom and office environments and the manual dexterity for computer work. Occasional night and weekend work required.

Applicants will need to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a research statement (less than or equal to 3 pages), teaching and mentoring statement (less than or equal to 1 page uploaded as "Teaching Philosophy/evaluations"), and three (3) representative publications (uploaded as "Writing/research Sample", "Other Document", and "Other Document 2"). In addition, please provide the names and contact information for four references. Referees may receive automated emails with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation to the recruitment system at a future phase in the selection process. For further details contact biolsearch@unc.edu.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to facultyrecruitment@unc.edu.

Please note: The Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

If you have any questions about the job requirements or the hiring department notify the Department Contact.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.