Director of Undergraduate Biology Program

The Undergraduate Biology Program at Stony Brook University invites applications for the position of Director of Undergraduate Biology. This is a tenured position at the Associate or Full Professor level. The successful candidate will join one of our home departments: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolution, or Neurobiology and Behavior. This position is open to both internal and external candidates, including those actively engaged in original scientific research.

The Director of Undergraduate Biology is responsible for leading the undergraduate program, fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, and enhancing the academic experience of our students. The Director will work closely with the Executive Committee of the Undergraduate Biology Program, faculty, and staff to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative curricular initiatives, support student success, and ensure the program's excellence. In addition, there is potential for the development of new or online courses, and for fostering collaborations with units such as the Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) to further enhance diversity and inclusion.

Opportunity
Stony Brook University's Undergraduate Biology program is one of the largest on campus, with over 2000 majors, attracting a diverse and talented student body. Our graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, research, and health professions, reflecting the program's strong foundation and rigorous academic training. The Director will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research across our departments, including pioneering work in biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, ecology and evolution. In association with the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) office and academic departments, the program supports faculty-mentored student research projects and provides opportunities to showcase student research achievements.

The staff in Undergraduate Biology includes four full time and approximately thirty part time faculty that are responsible for the delivery and development of introductory biology laboratory courses to approximately 2,000 students per year. Thirteen non-instructional staff members provide administrative and technical support to course faculty instructors and advising services to the students. The Director manages various financial accounts including several endowments for undergraduate scholarships and research support.

The university has national and international recognition in the biosciences, offering a wealth of resources and opportunities for the Director to innovate the program. There is significant potential for continued innovation in the laboratory courses and the student experience.

Key Responsibilities

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  Provide leadership and vision for the undergraduate biology program.

  
  
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  Collaborate with and supervise faculty lecturers and staff in the undergraduate biology program.

  
  
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  Coordinate academic advising and support services for undergraduate biology students.

  
  
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  Foster alignment to standards of undergraduate biology education. Promote and foster the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of all biology courses, including the undergraduate biology lab courses: Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I and II.

  
  
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  Serve as a liaison between the undergraduate program, the Executive Committee, and the home departments with regards to scheduling, curriculum, and courses that are taught by faculty in the home departments.

  
  
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  Ensure the Undergraduate Biology Office is a welcoming and student-centric environment. Ensure that students feel supported and valued by the program providing exceptional, prompt, clear student services. Enhance all forms of communication, including the in-person experience, online, and email experience. Implement regular feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the quality of interactions and services provided to students.

  
  
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  Promote research opportunities and experiential learning for students.

  
  
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  Develop and maintain collaborations with internal and external partners.

  
  
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  Engage with alumni, leveraging their success and support to further strengthen the program.

  
  

Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Biology or a related field. Tenured Associate or Full Professor with a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service. Demonstrated experience in academic leadership or administration.

Preferred Qualifications
Strong commitment to undergraduate education and student success. Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Scholarly interests and prior experience that align with one of the three home departments. Experience in curriculum development and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated experience in discipline-based biology education research related to undergraduate biology education. Familiarity with current research in biology education. Familiarity with national policy initiatives such as Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education and Project Kaleidoscope to enhance STEM education through active learning, inclusive pedagogy, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Review of applications will start on Dec 1, 2024 and applications will continue to be accepted until Dec 31, 2024. Applications must be submitted through Interfolio by clicking "Apply Now." Applications must include:

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  A cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant experience.

  
  
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  A curriculum vitae.

  
  
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  A statement on philosophy and vision for undergraduate biology education and administration.

  
  
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  A statement of teaching philosophy.

  
  
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  A statement of research interests.

  
  
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  A statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  
  
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  Contact information for at least three references.

  
  

Questions should be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Joshua Rest, joshua.rest@stonybrook.edu.

Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. Employment is contingent on your full and complete disclosure on these matters. In the event that you fail to disclose any such matter or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome of the disclosure and review process, an offer of employment may be revoked at SBU's sole discretion. If SBU becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (631) 632- 6350. It can also be viewed online at the University Police website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/police.