In 2005, the Department of  Biology was identified as a Signature Program. As part of the Signature recognition the Department of Biology has three initiatives:

1. Establishment of a Teaching Post-Doctoral position
2. Conduct an extensive External review of the program
3. Establish a Visiting Scholar Program

Description of the Teaching Post-Doctoral Position

The Biology Department at Saint Joseph's University invites applications for a Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor to begin August 2008. Teaching duties will include introductory biology with the opportunity to develop a course in the applicant’s area of expertise. This position is ideally suited for a person aspiring to an academic career where teaching and research are both valued. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work with masterful teachers in the classroom and research laboratory developing the necessary skills to help them obtain their own tenure track position. Applicants must be able to demonstrate proficient teaching skills and contribute to one of the established research initiatives within the department that involves working with students.  The fellowship includes funding for research supplies and travel. The position is for one year with potential for renewal up to three years by mutual agreement.

Goals of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship:

(1) unparalleled faculty development opportunities in which the postdoctoral fellow can bring new skills and viewpoints into the Department while the fellows themselves learn from established scientists

(2) The ability to offer specialized undergraduate and graduate courses drawing on the talents of the fellows

(3) Increased flexibility and productivity in terms of faculty-sponsored research efforts

(4) The opportunity for the fellows to develop their classroom teaching skills under the mentorship of an experienced faculty member.

Highlights of the Post-Doctoral Fellow program:

1. The position will be hired at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor.

2. The successful candidate will have a meritorious record of scholarship and demonstrate a proficiency in teaching.

3. Fellows will engage in half‑time teaching (six contact hours per semester) and half‑time research during the academic year, with full‑time research during the summer months.

4. The faculty mentor and the fellow will develop an appropriate project to pursue in the research lab. It is expected that the project will involve undergraduate and/or Masters‑level students in the fellow's research, in keeping with our primary mission. The fellows will become part of the faculty mentor's research group but will not be expected to act as lab managers or supervisors.

5. The faculty mentors will be required to work closely with the fellows on the development of lecture and lab materials, the review of exams and assignments, etc. for their courses. The mentor is expected to visit the classroom routinely and meet with the fellow regularly about teaching. This interaction will provide the fellow with the unique opportunity to gain hands‑on teaching experience with extensive support from an established faculty mentor.

Areas of Research

Teaching Post-Doctoral Fellows can apply to work in any of the following research areas:

Paleontology Research on the Bear Gulch Limestone (Lagerstaate) and Related Analyses

Plant Physiological Ecology

Study of the developmental cycle of the obligatory predacious bacterium Bdellovibrio

Cytoskeleton and cell motility

Stream Ecology/Benthic Invertebrate Ecology

Animal Behavior and Evolution

 

Direction for application:

1.  Contact the mentor you are interested in working under and discuss your research and teaching objectives. Write a statement outlining potential contribution to research and teaching at SJU.  

2. All candidates must formally apply on line to the fellowship position at the Saint Joseph’s University Human Resources website at www.sju.edu/hr click on employment.  At the website will be the opportunity to submit a cover letter indicating which mentor you are interested in working under, your  C.V., and your teaching and research statement (see one above). 

3. Send three letters of recommendation and graduate transcripts to Dr. Paul Tefft, Chair Biology, Biology Department, Saint Joseph's University, 5600 City Ave, Philadelphia PA 19131.