Insect Science Education & Research Assistant Professor

Insect Science Education & Research Assistant Professor

Appointment Type and Code: Assistant, tenure-track
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Department Head
College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)
Campus Location: St. Paul Campus

Position Overview
This is a 9-month, tenure track position at the Assistant professor level in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota with 70% teaching and 30% research responsibilities. The Department of Entomology offers a graduate program in Entomology and an undergraduate minor in Insect Science. The minor program offers in-person, on-line and hybrid courses plus research and outreach opportunities. This position will help sustain the Insect Science minor that has grown dramatically in recent years with a five-fold increase in course enrollments.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized teaching and research program. Responsibilities in teaching will include design and delivery of innovative entomology-related courses and coordination of undergraduate training, aiming for program sustainability and growth. The candidate will also be expected to secure extramural funding to support a research program that integrates with their teaching portfolio and the needs of the Department. This activity may take several forms, such as research into pedagogy or involving undergraduates in entomological research. The candidate will have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate and graduate students and teach/co-teach graduate courses as well.
This position is based on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. The expected start date is to be negotiated, but an arrival by spring semester 2026 is preferred.

Responsibilities:

Teaching (70%):

• The successful candidate will be expected to design and teach at least 9 credits per academic year of high quality, undergraduate courses in entomology geared towards the needs of students from inside and outside the Department.
• The successful candidate will be expected to offer courses in a variety of modalities (in-person, on-line, or hybrid) depending on student needs, as well as direct undergraduate students' research projects.
• Service expectations include periodic representation on committees of the Department / College / University.

Research (30%):

• The successful candidate will develop an innovative, nationally and internationally recognized, externally funded research program.
• Research areas may include, but are not restricted to, pedagogical work in instructional strategies using insects as model organisms, macroecological and macroevolutionary research, innovative research in insect ecology, landscape ecology, insect physiology, invasive arthropod species, insect dynamics and climate change, conservation biology, IPM, pollination biology, or other areas that integrate with the strengths of the Department (see below) and offer opportunities for student involvement.
• The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty in the Department of Entomology and faculty in other Departments inside and outside of the College, as well as stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent degree in Entomology or related field
• Demonstrated experience with design, development, and delivery of course(s) with primary emphasis in entomology
• Record of mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students
• Record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with evidence-based best practices in teaching and different modalities of course delivery
• Experience with high enrollment courses (>100 students)
• Experience with curricular design and/or undergraduate program coordination at Department/College/University levels
• Record of obtaining extramural funding to support teaching and/or research
• Evidence of fostering a supportive learning environment across the learner spectrum

Department Overview:

Located on the St Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, the Department of Entomology is composed of 14 faculty and 35 staff engaged in research, teaching, and extension. Areas of expertise include biodiversity and systematics, ecology, physiology, neurobiology, and functional genomics of diverse insects and other invertebrates, including pollinators, mosquitoes and ticks. Expertise includes management of insects in residential, commercial/industrial, agricultural, forested, and urban landscapes, and more. The Department is home to the University of Minnesota Insect Collection, one of the largest university-affiliated insect collections in North America with over 4 million specimens representing more than 53,000 described species.

College Overview:

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and globe. CFANS offers 13 undergraduate majors and 14 graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 26 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning, internships and global perspectives.

University Overview:

The University of Minnesota is the state's land-grant university with two campuses in in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The University serves more than 50,000 students at undergraduate and graduate levels. The University offers a variety of resources to support faculty instruction and student learning, including the Center for Educational Innovation. This Center provides research-informed transformative and inclusive leadership in teaching and learning across the University of Minnesota system.

Pay Range: $94,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Application Instructions
Evaluation of applicants will commence shortly after 07/21/2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
1. Cover letter (maximum two pages)
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of Teaching Interests and Philosophy: A maximum 3-page statement, including teaching philosophy, evidence of commitment to effective teaching, and how you currently or plan to embed inclusive excellence* in teaching practice.
4. Statement of Research Interests and Philosophy: A maximum 2-page statement that describes your research plan; how your research aligns with the Department of Entomology's existing or emerging areas of research strength; and how you embed inclusive excellence* considerations in your research program.
5. Names, addresses, and email contact information for three professional references. References will be contacted only for those applicants judged most appropriate.
*Please provide details of your professional and/or personal experiences in fostering inclusive excellence, as it relates to teaching and research.

https://cfans.umn.edu/about/inclusive-excellence

Please combine all parts of the application (i.e., letter, CV, statements, etc.) into a single PDF document before uploading.

For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact Brian Aukema (bhaukema@umn.edu).

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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