Valdosta State University
Assistant Professor - Biology (Aquatic Biologist)
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, United States, 31601
Job Title: Assistant Professor - Biology (Aquatic Biologist)
Location: Valdosta State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 290842
As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.
Blazer Creed Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice
civility ,
integrity , and
citizenship . As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.
Civility
- A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.
Integrity
- Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.
Citizenship
- Every Blazer has an interest in the well‑being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.
As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of
Civility ,
Integrity , and
Citizenship .
Job Summary The Department of Biology seeks applicants for a ten‑month full‑time, tenure track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026. We seek an aquatic biologist (freshwater or marine) who uses an integrative approach to understand how environmental factors influence aquatic organisms. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses that align with the candidate's area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service to contribute to the department and broader university and surrounding communities.
The Department of Biology offers a student‑centered learning environment with emphasis on experiential learning. Serving approximately 450 students, it is the largest department in the College of Science and Mathematics. Among the 20 faculty, several have won awards for teaching, research, and service, and their active research programs are designed to engage students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Master of Science with both a thesis and non‑thesis option. Detailed information is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/.
Application Requirements Applicants should submit the following with their online application:
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching philosophy that describes how you will incorporate student‑centered, active learning, and/or inquiry‑based approaches in your teaching
Research statement that describes your research goals, how you will engage undergraduate and Master's students, and your anticipated equipment needs
Names and contact information including email addresses for at least three professional references
For full consideration, please apply by December 10, 2025. For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.
Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H‑1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H‑1B visa petitions until further notice.
Responsibilities Department Summary Teach up to 12 credits per semester (Fall and Spring) at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas that may include marine biology, limnology, ecophysiology, or ecology, as well as in their specific areas of expertise; establish an independent and productive research program that complements and strengthens departmental programs; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and contribute through service to the department, college, university, and professional communities.
Typical Allocation of Duties Teaching and scholarship - 80% Teaches classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline.
Service - 20% Participates in service at the department, college, and university levels.
Required Qualifications
Doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field by appointment date
Record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant's career stage
Ability to teach courses in freshwater or marine biology that expand or enhance departmental course offerings
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning
Record of research productivity in aquatic biology appropriate to the applicant's career stage
Research plan that actively involves undergraduate and master's students in scholarly activities at VSU
Preferred Qualifications
A record of mentoring students
Postdoctoral experience in aquatic biology or a closely related field
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting
Proposed Salary Commensurate with experience
USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment Applicants are required to provide:
professional references with current contact information
documentation of academic credentials
employment history
Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:
ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment
view social media outlets
remove job postings without additional notification
Employment is contingent upon:
successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
reference checks
Employment may also be contingent upon the job‑based requirements if applicable for your position:
satisfactory credit check
successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
pre‑employment drug testing
confirmation of credentials
After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:
New employee orientation
VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
USG Ethics Policy
Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
Drug Free Workplace
Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Motor Vehicle Policy
Workers Compensation (new hires)
Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly):
Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving
Equal Employment Opportunity Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.
Background Check
Standard
Accommodations If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location: Valdosta State University
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 290842
As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.
Blazer Creed Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice
civility ,
integrity , and
citizenship . As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.
Civility
- A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.
Integrity
- Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.
Citizenship
- Every Blazer has an interest in the well‑being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.
As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of
Civility ,
Integrity , and
Citizenship .
Job Summary The Department of Biology seeks applicants for a ten‑month full‑time, tenure track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026. We seek an aquatic biologist (freshwater or marine) who uses an integrative approach to understand how environmental factors influence aquatic organisms. The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses that align with the candidate's area of expertise, maintaining scholarly productivity, and participating in service to contribute to the department and broader university and surrounding communities.
The Department of Biology offers a student‑centered learning environment with emphasis on experiential learning. Serving approximately 450 students, it is the largest department in the College of Science and Mathematics. Among the 20 faculty, several have won awards for teaching, research, and service, and their active research programs are designed to engage students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Master of Science with both a thesis and non‑thesis option. Detailed information is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/.
Application Requirements Applicants should submit the following with their online application:
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching philosophy that describes how you will incorporate student‑centered, active learning, and/or inquiry‑based approaches in your teaching
Research statement that describes your research goals, how you will engage undergraduate and Master's students, and your anticipated equipment needs
Names and contact information including email addresses for at least three professional references
For full consideration, please apply by December 10, 2025. For more information contact Dr. Theresa Grove, Department Head, via email at tjgrove@valdosta.edu.
Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H‑1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H‑1B visa petitions until further notice.
Responsibilities Department Summary Teach up to 12 credits per semester (Fall and Spring) at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas that may include marine biology, limnology, ecophysiology, or ecology, as well as in their specific areas of expertise; establish an independent and productive research program that complements and strengthens departmental programs; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; and contribute through service to the department, college, university, and professional communities.
Typical Allocation of Duties Teaching and scholarship - 80% Teaches classes and conducts/presents research in the employee's academic discipline.
Service - 20% Participates in service at the department, college, and university levels.
Required Qualifications
Doctoral degree in Biology or a closely related field by appointment date
Record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant's career stage
Ability to teach courses in freshwater or marine biology that expand or enhance departmental course offerings
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning
Record of research productivity in aquatic biology appropriate to the applicant's career stage
Research plan that actively involves undergraduate and master's students in scholarly activities at VSU
Preferred Qualifications
A record of mentoring students
Postdoctoral experience in aquatic biology or a closely related field
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting
Proposed Salary Commensurate with experience
USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment Applicants are required to provide:
professional references with current contact information
documentation of academic credentials
employment history
Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:
ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment
view social media outlets
remove job postings without additional notification
Employment is contingent upon:
successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
reference checks
Employment may also be contingent upon the job‑based requirements if applicable for your position:
satisfactory credit check
successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
pre‑employment drug testing
confirmation of credentials
After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:
New employee orientation
VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
USG Ethics Policy
Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
Drug Free Workplace
Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Motor Vehicle Policy
Workers Compensation (new hires)
Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly):
Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving
Equal Employment Opportunity Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.
Background Check
Standard
Accommodations If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr