Tenure Track Faculty - Field Biologist (26-59)

Francis Marion University and the Department of Biology are seeking a broadly trained field biologist for a tenure-track faculty position. In addition to teaching introductory courses in general biology and/or environmental science, the successful candidate will also (1) provide service to the department and university in the form of, but not limited to, academic advising of students pursuing careers in biology and environmental science; and participation in faculty governance, (2) develop and maintain an active scholarly research program that engages undergraduate students in collaborative inquiry, and (3) design and teach courses in their area of expertise. Special consideration will be given to candidates who can teach one or more courses in the following areas (plant biology, plant classification/taxonomy, plant anatomy, plant physiology/pathology, and/or plant ecology) and who can also contribute to the maintenance of the FMU Herbarium.

Candidates will find an exceptional array of biologically rich resources available to support field-based research at FMU. In addition to its naturally beautiful main campus, FMU offers the Freshwater Ecology Center, a research facility located just 15 minutes from campus that encompasses 146 acres of mature hardwood forest, wetlands and a 20-acre lake. The Duck Ponds Property is an additional 8,355-acre tract of lowland forest and wetlands along the Great Pee Dee River. FMU also maintains the Wildsumaco Biological Station, a field station on the eastern slope of the Andes in Ecuador and one of the university's International Study Centers. Complementing these field resources is the internationally recognized FMU Herbarium, which houses nearly 10,000 specimens, most of which have been entered into the SERNEC database. The candidate will also have access to resources in a new Forestry and Environmental Science Building set to open in spring of 2027.

Francis Marion University has been recognized for its excellence in education by several national ranking agencies. U.S. News & World Report has ranked FMU among its top Regional Universities in the South for more than a decade, and FMU has been named one of The Chronicle's "Great Colleges to Work For" for the past 13 years. These distinctions reflect FMU's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and to creating a supportive environment in which faculty and students can thrive. As a public liberal arts university with a diverse student body, FMU seeks candidates who share this commitment and who will contribute to its mission of providing an outstanding educational experience. FMU especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance this mission and encourages applications from women and minorities.

FMU Requirements: An earned doctorate in biology or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution. ABD candidates will be considered but must have completed their degree before their contract starts. Some demonstration of teaching at the undergraduate level is preferred

Expected start date: August 16, 2027

The following application materials are required :

1. Letter of Interest (referencing position number 26-59).
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Teaching Statement expressing teaching experience and philosophy.
4. Research Statement describing research interests and long-term research objectives and how the work would involve undergraduate researchers.
5. Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate).
6. Names and contact information for at least three references.
7. FMU Faculty Application.

To obtain a Faculty Application please click here

Send Application Materials to:

Dr. Charlene Wages,Vice President for Administration and Planning, Francis Marion University P.O. Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547. Or email to: [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work , or FAX to: [click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work

Review of applications will begin October 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

About the Biology Department: The new hire will join a vibrant and collaborative department of 16 faculty members spanning a wide range of disciplines. We strive for academic excellence across our comprehensive programs through creative teaching, insightful research, and collaborative and impactful service. Faculty in the Biology and Forestry departments have established collaborations with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Forestry Commission, and other state and regional partners, creating opportunities for undergraduate research, experiential learning, and collaborative research. To learn more about Francis Marion University's Department of Biology, please visit the department website: . Questions regarding this position may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Jeff Steinmetz, at [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work .

About Francis Marion University: Francis Marion University (FMU) is a state-assisted regional university encompassing more than 9,100 acres and serving approximately 4,200 students in Florence, South Carolina. The university is a strong supporter of academic freedom and maintains a robust tradition of faculty governance, including an active AAUP chapter. Located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, FMU is within easy driving distance of Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Charlotte, Asheville, and Savannah, providing access to a wide range of cultural, recreational, and natural resources.

In addition to the Wildsumaco Biological Station in Ecuador, FMU's International Study Centers include a center at Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University in Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany, with a focus on the environment, economics, and politics, and a center at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada, with a focus on environmental sciences and natural resource management. These international programs provide additional opportunities for faculty and students to engage in interdisciplinary and experiential learning.

About Florence and the Pee Dee Region: Florence, South Carolina, the heart of the Pee Dee region, serves more than a quarter million people in the greater metropolitan area. In recent years, Florence has experienced significant revitalization, particularly in its downtown, with FMU playing a leading role in these efforts. FMU has contributed to the growth of the city's health sciences sector through the construction of two health sciences buildings downtown and a third building that will house a new medical campus developed in collaboration with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, McLeod Regional Medical Center, and MUSC Health Florence Medical Center.

FMU has also helped establish Florence as a regional center for arts and culture through the Steven F. Gately Art Gallery and the FMU Performing Arts Center, home to the Florence Symphony Orchestra and a venue for numerous high-profile musical and theatrical performances each year. The surrounding Pee Dee region also offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration, with diverse forests, wetlands, rivers, and coastal environments within easy reach of Florence. To learn more about this growing and vibrant community, please visit the Florence Chamber of Commerce's community information page.

As Francis Marion University has continued to be recognized for its diverse student body, it especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.

Applicants honorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces, who meet the minimum training and experience requirements, are given employment preference by all State agencies and higher education institutions in SC.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution