Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

The Department of Biology at James Madison University invites applications for a 10-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position with expertise in Developmental Biology. This is a full-time position with an anticipated start date of August 2027.

The successful candidate will join a thriving community of more than 60 biologists with broad sub-disciplinary diversity and will expand this diversity through expertise in evolutionary development (evo-devo). Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, comparative and experimental embryology, developmental physiology, and eco-evo-devo (e.g., ecotoxicology). Details about existing faculty research expertise are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/biology/graduate/research-opportunities.shtml). Collaborative scholarship with other faculty members within and beyond the department is encouraged.

The department is committed to increasing the success of all students by creating and sustaining welcoming learning environments in and out of the classroom. The successful candidate will be expected to exemplify these principles in their teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and service to the institution. Please visit our website at http://www.jmu.edu/biology/ for more information about the department.

Expectations of the position include establishing and maintaining an externally funded research program that includes mentoring and publishing with student co-authors, primarily undergraduates. In addition to teaching in the core curriculum for biology and biotechnology majors, the successful candidate will teach existing and/or develop new upper-level animal development courses with a lab for majors and pre-professional health students. The candidate should therefore have relevant instructional experience or a clear plan for delivering these types of courses. The candidate will have opportunities to contribute to or create course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs).

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a field related to Developmental Biology with emphasis on comparative and evolutionary biology. Post-doctoral experience preferred.

Application Instructions:

Please use this link to submit your application: https://jobs.jmu.edu/jobs/tenure-track-assistant-professor-developmental-biology-harrisonburg-virginia-united-states

Review of applications will begin on 10/2/2026. For more information, please contact Dr. Rocky Parker (parke3mr@jmu.edu).

Candidates will complete the application and attach the following documents:
1) Letter of Application (up to 2 pages) that addresses the outlined minimum and preferred position qualifications and the applicant’s interest in undergraduate education.2) Curriculum Vitae3) A Teaching Statement (up to 2 pages, uploaded under “Statement of Teaching Philosophy”) that describes your planned and/or ongoing approach to:
* Effectively teach undergraduate students
* Promote an inclusive climate for students in teaching and research

4) A Research Statement (up to 2 pages, uploaded under “Other Document #1”) that includes:
* A ~5-year, undergraduate-centered research plan at JMU
* Plans to promote the growth and excellence of student researchers

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.