Assistant Professor – Evolutionary Biology

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation, inspire creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives. UMass Amherst offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

The Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in the area of Evolutionary Biology. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position.  Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.  The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vibrant, externally funded research program, effectively teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to service in support of the department and college. The successful candidate will also have a demonstrated understanding of the strength that is brought to science through diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility. The Department of Biology is committed to building a vibrant and inclusive academic community that reflects and advances the university’s strategic priorities.

We seek to hire an Evolutionary Biologist who studies the mechanisms, patterns, and/or processes that underlie the origins and maintenance of biological diversity. We are particularly interested in applications from candidates who employ quantitative techniques such as genomics, phylogenetics, advanced imaging, modeling, and/or machine learning to answer fundamental questions related to the mechanisms that drive adaptation at any taxonomic scale, from deep time to how species respond to rapid/extreme environmental change. We especially encourage applications from individuals who will complement existing departmental strengths in organismic evolutionary biology. The Biology Department provides a collaborative and broad research environment, with faculty whose research spans all levels of biological organization.  This position will join a cohort of recent departmental hires in developmental cell biology, plant biology, neurobiology, and genetics. Faculty members in the biology department train graduate students through one or more interdepartmental graduate programs in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Plant Biology, and Neuroscience and Behavior.

Requirements

Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in Biology or a related field with relevant post-doctoral experience. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position.

Salary Information

The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $79,350 and $124,349 for this position. Please note:

• The low end of this range is based on the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.
• The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience.
• The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

  Additional Information

  This position could begin as soon as September 1, 2027.

  Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Craig Albertson at [email protected].

  Application Instructions

  Along with the application, please submit a (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vita; (3) statement of research interest; (4) teaching philosophy; and (5) contact information for three professional references.

  Evaluation of applications will begin on October 1, 2026,  and will continue until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

  Contributions to the University’s Values and Strategic Goals

  At UMass Amherst and in the College of Natural Sciences, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences’ Inclusive Excellence : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst, and For the Common Good – 2024-2034 : Strategic Plan : UMass Amherst. Candidates may be invited to describe how their work aligns with the university’s values and strategic goals. These reflections offer insight into how applicants foster respectful collaboration, support student success, and contribute to an inclusive academic environment. This information will not be used to exclude candidates, but to better understand their potential to advance departmental and institutional priorities.

  The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.