Assistant Professor of Biology
University of California Berkeley
United States

Application Window

The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology in the Rausser College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position in plant developmental biology.

The department seeks applicants conducting fundamental research on the molecular, cellular, and organismal principles and processes that organize how plant form emerges in time and space, determine how plant development responds to the environment, or influence how plant form has diversified over evolutionary timescales. Researchers working on any aspect of plant developmental mechanisms, morphology, organogenesis, computational morphodynamics, developmental plasticity, and/or evolution of development are encouraged to apply. The candidate’s research will be expected to integrate a broad spectrum of classical and cutting-edge genetic, genomic, physiological, quantitative imaging, computational analysis and modeling, systems biology, and/or synthetic biology approaches. Applicants should also have strong interests in teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists in plant developmental biology. Candidates whose research programs include translational research bearing on crop improvement or on management and/or conservation of naturally occurring populations, particularly in the context of adaptation to climate change, are especially encouraged to apply.

The department is a community of scholars whose research advances knowledge in plant and microbial systems in terms of biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, genetics and genomics, ecology, evolution, and pathogenesis, and their applications to ecosystems, agriculture, bioenergy, biomedicine, and biotechnology. Our undergraduate students have a choice of vibrant majors that span the disciplines in the department, and we administer top-ranked Ph.D. programs in microbiology and plant biology. Our faculty make use of departmental plant growth facilities as well as ample greenhouse and field space resources available at the Rausser College of Natural Resources Oxford Facility (https://nature.berkeley.edu/oxford-facility). Our researchers benefit from opportunities for interactions and collaborations with other biological science departments and units on campus, including the Innovative Genomics Institute (https://innovativegenomics.org/), the Energy Biosciences Institute (https://energybiosciencesinstitute.org/), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (https://biosciences.lbl.gov/) and the Food Institute (https://food.berkeley.edu/), as well as additional local research centers, including the Plant Gene Expression Center (http://pgec.berkeley.edu), the Joint Genomics Institute (https://jgi.doe.gov), and the Joint Bioenergy Institute (https://www.jbei.org).

The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology values diversity, equity, and inclusion as exemplified by the following principles of community: we recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all our endeavors; we embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our obligation and goal. We are committed to supporting the growth, development, and success of our junior faculty, and our junior faculty participate in a campus-wide inclusive mentoring program for the life sciences (https://ls.berkeley.edu/ls-divisions/biological-sciences/ifm).

The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology is committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples and single parents. We are also interested in candidates who have had non-traditional career paths or who have taken time off for family reasons, or who have achieved excellence in careers outside academia. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit:
http://ofew.berkeley.edu/new-faculty

The Department and UC Berkeley use inclusive hiring practices. We encourage potential candidates to see their career accomplishments holistically, as we do, and to make the decision to apply even if they do not see their experience as conforming strictly to each of the preferred qualifications in this job description.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. More information is available on this website.

Department: https://plantandmicrobiology.berkeley.edu/

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application.

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate evidence of strong research productivity, potential for funding, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and research mentoring of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.

• Demonstrate evidence of expertise and scholarship within a relevant field such as, but not limited to, plant developmental mechanisms, morphology, organogenesis, computational morphodynamics, developmental plasticity, and/or evolution of development.

• Demonstrate strong research skills and a potential to establish an innovative research agenda, to communicate their work effectively to a broader public, and to work with other researchers from diverse disciplines.

• Demonstrate evidence of their commitment to working in an inclusive and interdisciplinary environment and their strong desire to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in ways that align with UC Berkeley’s mission to meet the educational needs of California’s diverse population (see: https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity/support-faculty-candidates).

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants should arrange to have 3-5 letters of reference submitted via this web portal. Letters are strongly encouraged to be uploaded by the final date to apply.

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

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

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.