Assistant Professor of Biology

Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Biology

Compensation:

$70,000 - $80,000

Department:

Biology

Start Date:

08/16/2027

About this opportunity:

The Department of Biology at Ball State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Botany. This is a full-time, on-campus, nine-month, benefit-eligible position offering a competitive salary and a generous start-up package. The anticipated start date is August 2027.

Employer will consider sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Position Function

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses broadly within plant biology and biodiversity, including Botany, Dendrology, Aquatic Botany, Forestry, and Plant Taxonomy/Systematics, as well as an upper-level or graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The candidate will be expected to incorporate field experiences and experiential learning into appropriate courses.

The successful candidate will also develop an externally funded, field-based research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students while complementing and collaborating with current faculty in the Department of Biology. We seek a plant biologist whose work addresses fundamental or applied questions about plants in natural systems, from individuals and populations to species, communities, and ecosystems. A substantial field component must be central to the candidate’s research program.

We are deliberately broad with respect to subdiscipline. Plant ecologists, evolutionary biologists, ecophysiologists, systematists, conservation and restoration scientists, and researchers studying plant interactions with other organisms are all encouraged to apply.

Field botany, zoology, and wildlife biology and conservation are important areas of strength within the department. Accordingly, we are especially interested in candidates who can engage and motivate students through field-based teaching, research, mentoring, and experiential learning.

The strongest candidates will have a record of accomplished teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, demonstrated evidence of outstanding scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, a well-defined field-based research program, experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate researchers, and strong potential for external funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

Will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biology. The teaching assignment will include Botany, Dendrology, Forestry, Aquatic Botany, and Plant Taxonomy/Systematics, together with an upper-level or graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. Typical load is (2-3 courses per semester / 18 credit hours per year).

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Botany, Plant Biology, Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or a closely related field by the date of appointment.
• At least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in botany or related plant biology courses using student-centered approaches.
• Experience taking students into the field as part of coursework or mentored research.
• A defined field-based research agenda that can generate publishable results with undergraduate and master's-level researchers.
• A record of peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations, postdoctoral research, or comparable scholarly accomplishment.
• Evidence of grant-seeking; successfully funded proposals are an additional strength.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers.
• A research program that complements or extends existing departmental strengths and opens collaborative possibilities.
• Effective written and oral communication.

Department, Facilities, and Support

The Department of Biology comprises 30 full-time faculty and offers the BA/BS in Biology, the MS in Biology, and the PhD in Environmental Sciences.The successful candidate will have access to:

Collections and growing facilities. The Ball State University Herbarium; a teaching and research greenhouse holding roughly 2,000 living specimens from more than 100 plant families; and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, which houses over 2,000 orchids.

Christy Woods. A 17-acre natural area on campus, available for both coursework and long-term research.

Field properties. Cooper Farm, Ginn Woods, Skinner Field Area, Donald E. Miller Wildlife Area, and the Juanita Hults Environmental Learning Center for field-based teaching and research.

How to apply:

For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:

Dr. Suman Neupane suman.neupane@bsu.edu

Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below. Important: Do not use the autofill feature for resume.

Required documents:

• • Cover letter
  • Teaching philosophy statement
  • Research statement
  • Curriculum Vitae

Optional documents:

• • Doctoral transcript

Applications must be received by November 19, 2026, at 12:01 AM.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation

• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.

That's how Ball State works.

Goodness requires action to grow. We're dedicated to doing our part to keep goodness growing in Muncie, at our university, and as far beyond as possible. That's where you come in. When you join our team, you become part of goodness in action. Our main priority: uplifting students so they can discover their full potential. This is how we fly.

It all comes down to caring.

There are about 3,000 full-time faculty and staff in the Ball State University work family. Each brings unique gifts to help us be the kind of institution we want to be. In return, we do our best to take care of them through comprehensive medical and dental plans, a Health Savings Account (which we contribute to), and a whole range of wellness, retirement, and other benefits like covering the cost of tuition at Ball State for you and your family. We can offer you more.

A great place to work in a great place to live.

Where you live matters just as much as where you work. We get it. That's why we've invested since the very beginning in making our hometown work. On campus, find state-of-the-art facilities and one-of-a-kind arts and cultural events. In Muncie, you'll find a warm and welcoming community with affordable housing and a vibrant downtown arts, food, and music scene. What could be better? You here - for starters.

EEO/AA Statement

Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.

Disability Accommodations

Ball State provides accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the position. Contact Melissa Rubrecht, Director of Employee Relations, at 765-285-1823 for assistance.

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