TENURE-TRACK OR TENURED PROFESSOR IN COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS
Harvard University
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Cambridge, MA
Position Description: The Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, in partnership with the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), seeks to appoint a tenure-track or tenured professor in the field of animal comparative physiology and biomechanics. We are excited to attract an outstanding individual to develop an innovative research program in such areas as (but not limited to) evolutionary biomechanics, ecological mechanics and physiology, movement ecology, bioinspired design, and the neuromotor bases of animal behavior. The position will be based at the Concord Field Station (CFS), a MCZ research facility in Bedford, MA (https://cfs.mcz.harvard.edu/), that supports biomechanical and physiological research of animal performance. The position will also be associated with an appointment in the MCZ and potentially as Director of the CFS.
The successful candidate is expected to establish a dynamic, externally funded research program, teach two courses per year at the undergraduate/graduate levels on the topics of biomechanics and physiology, or contribute to existing courses (e.g., vertebrate anatomy), mentor a diverse community of students, and contribute to departmental and university service. The appointment is expected to begin in summer 2025.
OEB is a supportive and collaborative research community with interests in a broad range of topics that include evolution, ecology, biomechanics, behavior, development, paleobiology, population genetics, and public health. Tenure track faculty are assigned a mentoring committee that advises them on all aspects of setting up a successful research group. An appointment in OEB provides access to state-of-the-art animal and plant facilities and core facilities for imaging, proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics as well as access to multiple supporting institutions including the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University Herbaria, Harvard Forest, and the Arnold Arboretum. Please visit the OEB webpage (https://oeb.harvard.edu/) for more information.
External applicants and finalists considered for a tenured appointment will need to complete the same procedures as external applicants and finalists in a search designated specifically for a tenured appointment.
OEB celebrates the multiple dimensions of diversity that each member of our community offers, including diversity of background, perspective, and lived experience. We strongly welcome applications from people from underrepresented groups.
Basic Qualifications: Doctorate or terminal degree in animal comparative biomechanics, physiology or related discipline required by the time the appointment begins.
Additional Qualifications: Demonstrated strong commitment to teaching, advising, and research is desired. Candidates for a tenured appointment should also evince intellectual leadership and impact on the field and potential for significant contributions to the department, University, and wider scholarly community.
Special Instructions: Please submit the following materials through the ARIeS portal (https://academicpositions.harvard.edu). Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by October 15, 2024; all applications will be reviewed by November 1.
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching/advising statement (describing the candidate’s teaching philosophy and practices as well as their approach to creating a learning environment in which every student is encouraged to ask questions and share their ideas)
- Research statement
- Service statement describing efforts to strengthen academic communities (e.g., the candidate’s department, institution, and/or professional societies)
- Candidates for a tenure-track position are also required to submit names and contact information of 3-5 referees, who will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation once the candidate’s application has been submitted. Three letters of recommendation are required, and the application is considered complete only when at least three letters have been received. For candidates for a tenure-track position, at least one letter must come from someone who has not served as the candidate’s undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral advisor.
- Provide up to four representative publications
- External applicants to a tenured position are required to complete, sign, and upload/submit the form entitled “Authorization to release information for external applicants” as part of the Conduct Inquiry Process and Procedures for External Applicants and Finalists to Tenured Positions.
The health of our community is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Harvard is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status.
Contact Information: For information about the position, please contact Profs. Stephanie Pierce (spierce@oeb.harvard.edu) or George Lauder (glauder@oeb.harvard.edu). For administration questions, please contact Christian Flynn (cflynn@fas.harvard.edu).
