About the role
Working/Functional Title
Assistant Professor-Fixed Term - Human Bio (HBIO)
Position Summary
The Human Biology (HBIO) Program in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor. The start date is August 16, 2027. The initial appointment is for one year; reappointment is expected subject to program need, funding, and satisfactory performance.
Human Biology is an interdepartmental undergraduate major that serves a large and diverse population of students interested in careers in medicine, health sciences, and biomedical sciences. The successful candidate will join a dedicated and collaborative teaching team that is developing and implementing an innovative core curriculum focused on biology, health, and society. We welcome applications from candidates with experiences and disciplinary backgrounds related to cell biology, biomedical science, molecular biology, developmental biology, or a similar field.
The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to collaboratively teach HBIO 410: Cellular Basis of Disease, a course in which students explore human cell biology concepts through the study of human disease. The course emphasizes scientific reasoning and provides students with opportunities to build and interpret models, understand methods used to study cell biology, analyze scientific literature, and communicate complex scientific information to a wide variety of audiences. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to at least one other course in the HBIO core curriculum. These courses include HBIO295: Human Biology and Society, an introductory course that focuses on societal impacts on disease and on health information literacy, and HBIO495: Capstone in Human Biology, an upper-level course that focuses on science writing and communication. The typical teaching load will be 2-3 course sections per semester. Other responsibilities will include curriculum development and service.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated
- Strong knowledge and understanding of cell biology concepts and laboratory methods.
- Knowledge and use of evidence-based teaching methods.
- Commitment to or experience with cultivating inviting and welcoming teaching and learning environments in which everyone feels valued and supported.
- Ability to solve problems creatively and work independently.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues as part of a teaching team that includes other faculty, graduate teaching assistants, undergraduate learning assistants, and assistant instructors.
- Commitment to continued professional development.
- Effective and professional written and oral communication skills.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Cell biology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, developmental biology, or a related field.
Minimum Requirements
- A doctoral degree in cell biology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, developmental biology, or a related field.
- At least one year of experience as a college-level instructor of record or graduate teaching assistant in the biological sciences.
Desired Qualifications
- Multiple years of experience as a college-level instructor of record or graduate teaching assistant, particularly in cell and molecular biology or related courses.
- Experience teaching or coordinating high-enrollment courses in the biological sciences, particularly in courses that implement active-learning and evidence-based approaches.
- Experience with discipline-based education research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and/or scholarly approaches to curriculum development.
- Experience with writing pedagogy and/or with scientific writing.
- Professional experience developing and/or disseminating knowledge in a relevant field through research, outreach, publications, or presentations.
Required Application Materials
Applications must be submitted electronically through EBS. Review of applications begins November 16, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.
Application materials include:
- Letter of application (no more than 5 pages) that describes your interest in the position. Please also address the following guiding questions in your letter.
- How has your educational and research background prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program?
- How have your teaching experiences prepared you to teach human cell biology?
- How have your past experiences working in collaborative groups prepared you to be part of the HBIO team?
- How will you contribute to cultivating an engaging teaching and learning environment in which everyone feels valued and supported?
- If you possess any of the desired qualifications, knowledge, skills, or abilities, explain how those experiences have also prepared you to contribute to the HBIO program.
- CV
- Names and contact information of 3 references who will be contacted if invited for a final interview.
Special Instructions
Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Elizabeth Tinsley Johnson, Associate Professor of Human Biology, etinsley@msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
11/16/2026
Website
humanbiology.natsci.msu.edu
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.