FCSM-3907, Assistant Professor, Vertebrate Physiology

Assistant Professor, Vertebrate Physiology

Department of Biological Sciences

Fisher College of Science and Mathematics FCSM- 3907

Towson University :

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Position :

The Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Biological Sciences. Preferred start date is August 2026.

Qualifications :

Successful applicants are expected to possess a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, to establish a productive research / scholarly program involving undergraduate and graduate students, and to actively pursue extramural funding for that research. Successful candidates are required to have a PhD in the biological sciences or related field, and have postdoctoral experience.

Responsibilities :

The candidate will primarily teach undergraduate lecture and lab courses in Animal Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology, but may also teach other undergraduate and graduate courses in physiology that align with faculty area(s) of expertise. The candidate must establish a competitive research program that engages undergraduate students in biology and / or other related majors. The candidates’ research programs should be in vertebrate physiology; these may have a comparative or mammalian focus.

The candidate is expected to pursue external research funding and disseminate their research findings in peer-reviewed journals and through presentations at professional meetings. Pre-tenure faculty members are assigned an instructional workload of five (5) course units per academic year.

The Department :

The Department of Biological Sciences provides high-quality education to both undergraduate and graduate students, with a focus on the knowledge and skills necessary for success at Towson University and beyond. The department enrolls ~1000 undergraduates in biology (cellular / molecular / organismal / physiological, ecology / evolution / conservation, science education), as well as ~40 graduate students in the biology master’s program. The department supports interdisciplinary programs in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics (MBBB), environmental science, and animal behavior, as well as service courses in the College of Health Professions. Additional collaborative opportunities may be available with science faculty in the departments of anthropology, chemistry & forensic science, computer sciences, mathematics, physics, astronomy & geosciences, kinesiology, exercise science, to name a few.

Application Process :

Review of applications begins September 15, 2025, and continues until the position is filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply, please upload a single pdf file containing the following documents in the specified order :

1. A cover letter stating your interest in the position and your potential contributions to the undergraduate biology program at Towson University. (1 page limit)

2.      A current curriculum vitae highlighting relevant teaching and research experience. (3 page limit)

3.      A statement of teaching philosophy that specifically addresses your approach to teaching undergraduate physiology lecture and lab. (2 page limit)

4.      A description of your proposed research program at Towson University. You must include at least two different projects and describe how they are appropriate for undergraduate student researchers. (4 page limit, including references).

5.      Names and contact information (current affiliation, e-mail address and telephone number) for three professional references.

6.      Copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts (listed in reverse chronological order).

Please address any questions regarding the position or the search to the search committee chair : Dr. Vonnie Shields (vshields@towson.edu).

Click here to apply. Please note that the search number for which you are applying is FCSM-3907.

Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line form. All data collected are for internal, state, and / or federal reporting and will not be used for other purposes.

Salary and Benefits :

Targeted salary range : $79,000-$83,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits : TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life and retirement plans, and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here for regular faculty / regular lecturer or here for contingent lecturer. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

Background Check :

A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.

COVID-19 Statement :

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.