Faculty in Biology - Conservation Biology, Vertebrate Biology

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Faculty in Biology - Conservation Biology, Vertebrate Biology

Division
College of Arts & Sciences (DIV)

Department
Biology

Location
Jackson

Job Summary

The Department of Biology at Union University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position, beginning fall 2026. The ideal candidate would have a background in Conservation Biology, Wildlife Biology, Vertebrate Ecology, or General Biology.

Teaching load is 24 credit hours. Preference given to applicants with previous teaching experience, ideally at the college level. Successful candidate will teach undergraduate lectures and laboratories in courses related to the conservation biology and zoology majors, along with other courses at all levels as assigned. Courses may include comparative vertebrate anatomy, conservation biology, wildlife management, ecology, experimental design and biostatistics. Course offerings may be developed and refined in line with the successful candidate's preparation and scholarly interests. Union faculty members produce scholarship and participate in advising and departmental/university service. Rank assignment commensurate with education/experience. Competitive salary and benefits package. Position subject to final budgetary approval.

About Union University

Founded in 1823, Union University is a private, coeducational liberal arts-based university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with a total enrollment of about 2,600. The main campus is located in Jackson, Tenn., with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. A national leader among colleges and universities in promoting a Christian worldview and a Christ-centered approach to education, Union is consistently ranked among the nation's premier Christian universities.

Essential Job Duties

• Teach a full-time course load (24 hours) including upper- and lower-division courses.
• Assign grades, maintain records in accordance with FERPA regulations, and keep regular on-campus office hours.
• Pursue steady growth as a teacher and as a course designer.
• Advise Conservation Biology and Zoology students in their academic and career paths, including via regular meetings to plan for registration and assess academic progress. Advise other Biology students as needed.
• Contribute to student learning outcomes in the capstone research sequence for biology majors by mentoring research students in developing, collecting, analyzing, and presenting original scientific research.
• Maintain a program of scholarship in line with the department's definition of scholarship, including the public dissemination of scholarly/creative works.
• Work with other Biology Faculty and Staff on the Jackson Campus on projects as needed.
• Participate in standing and ad-hoc university committees in line with expectations for full-time faculty.
• Attend and participate in departmental, divisional, and college-wide meetings and events, including commencements and convocations.
• Participate enthusiastically in the life of the department via shared curriculum development, program planning, assessment, and other activities. Cultivate meaningful community with faculty colleagues, staff, and students.

Other Job Duties

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctoral degree, preferably in an appropriate Biology-related discipline, is required. Candidates currently pursuing relevant advanced degrees will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference given to applicants with previous teaching experience, ideally at the college level.

Christian Requirement

Successful candidates must be professing Christians who are active members of a local church, enthusiastically support Union University's Identity, Mission, and Core Values, and articulate a Christian worldview in their work and life. More information may be found at https://www.uu.edu/about/what-we-believe.cfm/.

Physical Requirements

The work performed by this position is of a general office and classroom nature. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to perform the following:

• Communicate clearly in person, on the phone, through a computer, and in writing.
• Move independently from office to classroom and from one campus office/building to another campus office/building.
• Spend extended periods of time managing a classroom or laboratory independently (1 to 3 hours).
• Work performed requires some daily instances of bending, stooping, and carrying items up to 25 pounds.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
F109P

Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin on November 10, 2025.

The "Documents Needed to Apply" section of the application will allow you to attach the following required documents:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial post-graduate transcripts

You will also be asked to provide written responses to the following prompts:

• "Summarize your personal relationship with Jesus Christ and describe your involvement in the church where you are currently a member." (~250-500 words recommended.)
• "How does the Christian faith animate your approach to your discipline and to the work you anticipate doing as a faculty member at a place like Union?" (~250-500 words recommended.)
• "Describe your Philosophy of Teaching." (~250-500 words recommended.)

Please note that if, for example, your philosophy of teaching is already embedded in your cover letter, you may choose either to refer us back to the cover letter or to take the opportunity to expand on what your letter has said.

Up to three letters of recommendation (optional but recommended especially for recent graduates and, e.g., ABD applicants) may be forwarded directly to Union University's HR department: hrdept@uu.edu

You may also choose to upload additional (optional) evidence of teaching effectiveness at the "Documents Needed to Apply" page.