The Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Oswego is seeking an Assistant Professor of Botany, offering an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team committed to academic excellence, research and inclusive pedagogy. The department boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a fully digitized herbarium with over 40,000 specimens, a 1,250-square-foot rooftop greenhouse and access to the 400-acre Rice Creek Field Station.
These resources provide a vibrant setting for both teaching and research, particularly in areas such as plant systematics, evolution and ecology. The successful candidate will teach a range of courses, mentor undergraduate research and contribute to campus initiatives like the Bee Campus USA program, which enhances pollinator diversity and promotes environmental education.
SUNY Oswego values diversity and inclusion, actively fostering an environment where all members of the community feel respected and engaged. The Assistant Professor of Botany will play a key role in supporting these efforts by integrating inclusive teaching practices and contributing to the college’s Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate their commitment to diversity through a separate diversity statement, outlining how their career experiences and professional activities reflect these values. This position offers a starting salary of $63,000, visa sponsorship and an excellent benefits package, with the review of applications beginning immediately and continuing until the role is filled.
Job Title: Assistant Professor of Botany
Department: Biological Sciences
Location: Oswego, New York
Posting Date: October 21, 2024
Review Date: Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until the position is filled
Appointment Date: August 2025
Compensation: Starting salary of $63,000, commensurate with experience, along with a full benefits package provided by New York State.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of educators and researchers, taking on teaching responsibilities that include courses such as Plant Kingdom, Evolution and Plant Systematics, in addition to subjects related to their specific areas of expertise. This position also provides opportunities for contributing to general education and the university’s Honors Program. The Assistant Professor will be expected to lead undergraduate research, offer academic advising and participate in various forms of service to the college.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
SUNY Oswego places a high value on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The college’s Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan outlines its goals for fostering cultural competence, civil discourse and a sense of belonging. The new Assistant Professor of Botany will be expected to actively contribute to these efforts. As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit a diversity statement. This statement should outline the candidate’s past contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion through their career, community service or professional development, highlighting specific examples of their efforts.
Facilities and Resources
One of the department’s most unique resources is its greenhouse, a state-of-the-art facility that spans over 1,250 square feet and houses more than 220 different plant species. This space is available for both teaching and research and provides opportunities for faculty and students alike to engage with living plant specimens. The department also operates a fully curated herbarium, which includes more than 40,000 specimens. Supported by an NSF grant, this herbarium has been digitized, making its extensive collection available to researchers across the globe through the Consortium of Northeastern Herbaria. In addition to these facilities, the department benefits from the Rice Creek Field Station, a 400-acre reserve that serves as a living laboratory for ecological and environmental research.
Faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences have also been active in outreach initiatives, working to transform garden beds on campus into spaces that reflect the native plant communities of the Great Lakes region. This project, part of the Bee Campus USA initiative, promotes pollinator diversity and engages the public in environmental education. SUNY Oswego’s membership in the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit further enhances opportunities for research collaborations and funding through partnerships with federal agencies.
Job Responsibilities
The successful applicant for the position of Assistant Professor of Botany will be expected to teach a variety of courses in the Biological Sciences curriculum. These courses will include specialized subjects such as Plant Kingdom, Evolution and Plant Systematics, with opportunities to teach topics in their area of expertise. In addition to classroom instruction, the Assistant Professor will be responsible for mentoring undergraduate students in research projects. This role also involves advising students on their academic and career paths and contributing to the department’s mission of providing a meaningful learning experience for a diverse student population. Faculty members are also expected to participate in service activities that support the department, college and wider community.
SUNY Oswego emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive learning environment and the Assistant Professor of Botany will play a key role in contributing to this goal. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in both their teaching and research. They should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills that will enable them to engage effectively with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
To be considered for this position, candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Botany or a related field by the time of appointment. The ideal candidate will have experience with techniques that can be applied to undergraduate teaching and research and a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. They should also demonstrate a dedication to providing inclusive learning experiences for a diverse student body.
Preferred qualifications include expertise in areas such as plant systematics, plant evolution, phylogeography or paleobotany. Experience with post-doctoral research, teaching and grantsmanship is also highly valued.
Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
SUNY Oswego has a longstanding commitment to promoting diversity and fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. The institution recognizes the importance of diversity in enriching the educational experience for all members of the campus community. As part of this commitment, the university encourages applications from individuals who can contribute to the diversity of the faculty through their teaching, research and service. The successful candidate for this position will be asked to provide a separate statement addressing how they have contributed to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout their professional career, whether through teaching, research, community service or other forms of engagement.
Additional Information
SUNY Oswego is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community and is actively engaged in recruiting, supporting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. The university encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected category.
In compliance with U.S. immigration regulations, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is available for this position. Candidates requiring accommodations for disabilities during the application or interview process should contact the Human Resources Office for assistance. Additionally, SUNY Oswego adheres to a smoke-free, tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free policy on campus and further details about this policy are available through the university’s resources.
SUNY Oswego is a smoke-free, tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free campus and further details on these policies, including educational and cessation resources, can be found on the university’s website.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, New York State prohibits state entities from asking applicants to disclose their salary history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any violations of this policy can be reported to the Office of Employee Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses will the Assistant Professor of Botany be expected to teach?
The successful candidate will teach courses such as Plant Kingdom, Evolution and Plant Systematics. There may also be opportunities to teach specialized topics within their area of expertise and contribute to general education and Honors Program offerings.
What resources are available to support research and teaching?
The department offers access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a rooftop greenhouse, a fully curated herbarium, the Rice Creek Field Station and shared spaces such as the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Center. These resources support both teaching and research activities.
What is the department’s focus on diversity and inclusion?
SUNY Oswego is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity and fosters cultural competence. The Assistant Professor of Botany will be expected to contribute to these efforts through inclusive teaching practices and engagement with the diverse student and faculty community.
Is visa sponsorship available for this position?
Yes, visa sponsorship is available for qualified candidates for the Assistant Professor of Botany role.
When does the review of applications begin and when is the start date?
The review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the position is August 2025.
What outreach activities are the faculty involved in?
Faculty in the department participate in public outreach efforts, including projects such as the Bee Campus USA initiative, which focuses on promoting pollinator diversity and recognizing native plant communities in campus garden beds.
Are there specific areas of expertise preferred for this position?
Preferred areas of expertise include plant systematics, plant evolution, phylogeography and paleobotany. Post-doctoral research experience and grantsmanship are also considered valuable.
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