Assistant Professor - Archaeal Biology

Position Description

Faculty Position Available

Focus: Archaeal Biology

Department of Microbiology, Cornell University

Position: Assistant Professor, Tenure-track

Location: Ithaca, NY

The academic home for this position is the Department of Microbiology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.

The Department of Microbiology (BioMI) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly collaborative scholar to conduct research and teach in the area of archaeal biology at the Assistant Professor level.

We seek an individual who will establish an innovative, high-profile research program that addresses key concepts and questions in contemporary archaeal biology. The candidate’s research program should seek to make critical advances in areas such as, but not limited to, archaeal cell biology, ecology, evolution, growth and metabolism, inter-species interactions, or viral defense. Research areas may focus on fundamental archaeal biology but may also leverage investigations of Archaea to develop a mechanistic understanding of adaptations to extreme environments or impacts on global biogeochemical cycles and human health.

The CALS Roadmap to 2050 spearheads the \"solutions century\" by collaborating across the university, our network of partners, and diverse communities to coalesce around the world’s leading challenges. We connect across all of New York state and the world to enliven our innovation ecosystem, connecting local to global programs in the form of new collaborations and basic discoveries.

The successful candidate will become a part of the inclusive community of scholars at Cornell. They will have the opportunity to join multiple graduate fields across the university, including the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and interdisciplinary institutes such as the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.

Position Responsibilities

Research (50%): The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an internationally recognized and externally funded research program to advance archaeal biology at any level. The ideal candidate will establish an innovative, high-profile research program that addresses key concepts and questions in contemporary archaeal biology.

Teaching (50%): The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the department. The candidate will help develop curriculum in the area of archaeal biology in addition to supporting the existing curriculum. The candidate will advise students in the department’s undergraduate and Ph.D. programs. Advising postdocs is also encouraged.

Department of Microbiology

The Department of Microbiology is one of 16 departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Science. Microbiology is a foundational science with department research and teaching supporting many disciplines across Cornell’s colleges and campuses.

The Department of Microbiology Program carries out research that integrates microbial biology across spatial scales, from fundamental molecular interactions to ecosystem‑level processes with a strong focus on bacterial molecular microbiology.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely aligned field and relevant postdoctoral research experience.

Applications and Starting Date

Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 2027 or as negotiated.

This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to live within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Consistent with Cornell’s practice, appointments to academic positions require candidates to disclose relevant information about their prior employment including whether they have been found to have violated institutional or employer policies related to or governing unlawful discrimination and harassment, academic and research misconduct, or financial misconduct.

We seek a colleague with an outstanding record demonstrating success and promise across all these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a vibrant culture of inclusive excellence at Cornell. Learn how CALS fosters an environment where faculty are supported, valued, and empowered to make meaningful contributions throughout their careers.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Tobias Doerr or Kelley Gallagher, Search Committee Co-Chairs

Microbiology Department, Cornell University

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io

In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Law, the annual base salary range for this assistant professor position is $90,000 - $135,000. This pay range represents base pay (for 9 months). Cornell University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.

The new faculty member will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Ithaca, New York. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land‑grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state‑wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life‑changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of "...any person...any study," Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice View phone number on click.appcast.io, or email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "...any person...any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Pay Ranges

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary unless otherwise noted)
• Unique applicable skills.