Assistant Professor of Biology

Job description

**42667BR**
**Extended Job Title:**

Assistant Professor of Biology

**Organization:**

Texas Tech University

**Position Description:**

The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor position of collections-based mammalogy to begin Fall 2026.

This position also includes a 1-month appointment as an Assistant Curator of Mammals at the Natural Science Research Laboratory at the Museum of TTU.

Applicants from a wide range of mammalogy specializations that utilize natural history collections are invited to apply.

Research areas of interest should be able to attract external competitive funding and can include, but are not limited to, evolutionary developmental biology, functional ecology, zoonotic disease evolution and transmission, functional and genome evolution, phylogenomics, and phylogeography.

The successful applicant will be provided a competitive start-up package to develop their research program.

Expectations include a teaching rotation that will include Mammalogy, Natural History of the Vertebrates, and the development of an upper-level course of their choosing.

The position also includes the option to teach Field Methods in summer sessions, supported by the Museum.

**Requisition ID:**

42667BR

**Travel Required:**

Up to 25%

**Major/Essential Functions:**

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

As a faculty member in the The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas Tech University, you will be expected to:

+ Advance the University’s strategic priorities: (1) educate and empower a diverse student body, (2) enable innovative research and creative activities, and (3) transform lives and communities through strategic outreach and engaged scholarship.
+ Engage in the advancement of scientific knowledge through research and scholarship.
+ Publish in good quality, peer-reviewed journals.
+ Present research at national and international meetings.
+ Submit grant proposals to external competitive funding agencies such as NSF, NIH.
+ Teach classes in mammalogy and other areas of expertise using evidence-based practices.
+ Coordinate teaching with the department’s curriculum goals.
+ Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research by providing individual support, feedback, and advice.
+ Serve on and direct graduate student thesis and dissertation committees.
+ Perform professional service, for example by reviewing manuscripts, grants, serving on editorial boards, holding leadership roles in professional societies, etc.
+ Perform service to the institution, for example by serving on departmental, college, and university-level committee.

**Grant Funded?:**

No

**Pay Basis:**

Monthly

**Preferred Qualifications:**

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

+ A strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
+ At least one year of postdoctoral research experience.
+ Potential to secure competitive external funding, evidenced by a record of submitted or successful applications for funding.
+ A clearly defined plan to develop a competitive research program that utilizes the mammal collection as outlined in the Statement of Research Interests.
+ Evidence of effective research mentorship of undergraduate and/or graduate students.
+ Experience implementing evidence-based teaching practices as teaching assistant or instructor of record in undergraduate biology classes.
+ Experience using or knowledge of evidence-based practices that support TTU’s strategic priority: “to educate and empower a diverse student body”.
+ Preparation for teaching and dedication to continuous professional improvement, evidenced by a record of participating in teaching professional development programs, workshops, courses, activities, etc.
+ Evidence of sustained involvement in institutional and/or professional service such as leadership positions or review service.
+ Experience working with natural history collections, for example as a curator, collections manager, or contributing to collections through field work.

**Department:**

Biological Sciences

**Job Type:**

Full Time

**Job Group:**

Assistant Professor

**Salary Grade:**

800

**Does this position work in a research laboratory?:**

Yes

**Special Instructions to Applicants:**

Please include the following documents in your application.

In these documents, be sure to explain how you will be able to advance TTU’s 3 strategic priorities ( https://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/ ):

+ Curriculum Vitae
+ Cover Letter that summarizes how the application aligns with the job qualifications and the TTU Strategic Plan (not to exceed 2 pages)
+ Statement of teaching philosophy, not to exceed 2 pages addressing TTU’s first strategic priority and the required and preferred qualifications.
+ Statement of research interests, not to exceed 2 pages addressing TTU’s second strategic priority and the required and preferred qualifications.
+ Statement of collections philosophy, not to exceed 2 pages describing the applicant’s approach to the acquisition, stewardship, and research of collections.
+ Contact information for 3 professional references (letters will be requested later).

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Caleb Phillips, Search Committee Chair at caleb.phillips@ttu.edu.

**Safety Information:**

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

**Pay Statement:**

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

**EEO Statement:**

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

**About the College:**

The College of Arts & Sciences is composed of 15 departments, offering a wide variety of courses and programs in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, and natural sciences.

The College has more than 10,000 students enrolled representing more than a quarter of the overall Texas Tech University student population while maintaining.

**About the Department/School/Area:**

The Department of Biological Sciences ( https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/ ) is a community of faculty, students, and staff committed to teaching and training students, producing innovative research that advances basic and applied sciences, and engaging with the public.

As one of the largest programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, we offer three undergraduate degrees to more than 1800 students, and three MS degrees and a doctoral degree to approximately 125 graduate student trainees.

Our 46 faculty conduct cutting-edge research across all levels of biology, spanning from how we as individuals learn and teach about biology to the cells, systems, and organisms that make up our global biosphere.

We serve students through online and face-to-face learning and research opportunities.

The Natural Science Research Laboratory (NSRL) is a division of the Museum of TTU with a mission of building and preserving a library of our planet's natural heritage for education and research purposes.

The NSRL maintains four major natural history collections: Mammals, Birds, Invertebrate Zoology, and Genetic Resources.

These collections are available to researchers at academic, scientific, and government institutions around the world for scientific investigation, discovery, and problem-solving in the natural sciences.

**About the University:**

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution.

Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students.

As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School.

The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce.

It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land.

With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas.

Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities.

Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

**Applications must be received by:**

02/13/2026

**Faculty Qualifications:**

+ A Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree in biology or a closely related field is required to be obtained by the first day of employment.
+ Knowledge of evidence-based teaching practices as evidenced by proposed plans in teaching statement and/or participation in teaching professional development.
+ A record of peer-reviewed research relating to mammalian collections-based research.

**Duty Point:**

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities

Required Skill Profession

Other General