The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, is a Malcolm Baldridge Award-winning institution dedicated to providing the highest-quality educational opportunities in an applied, collaborative learning environment. We seek the best and the brightest applicants for three (3) tenure-track positions in Biotechnology and Nanotechnology at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin August 2008. Successful candidates will work within well-supported clusters of educators from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. Our small and student-focused teams foster innovation and creativity in developing technologies and learning opportunities for our students. As a school whose mission is to meet societal need (http://www.uwstout.edu/geninfo/mission.shtml), we seek candidates with expertise addressing problems in environmental sustainability, energy independence, food security, and human health using techniques from bioinformatics, genomics, bioengineering, protein engineering, computational biology, medicinal chemistry, or biomedical devices. Particular areas of interest are proteomics/genomics, drug design and discovery, and nanoscience. Candidates working on problems from other disciplines will definitely be considered, but all will apply biotechnology or nanotechnology solutions.
Qualifications for these positions include a Ph.D. earned by August 2008. The ability to become an outstanding educator is considered a necessity and post-doctoral or similar experience is considered an asset. Science faculty at UW-Stout are expected to include undergraduates in all aspects of their academic responsibilities. We have found that integrating research and service activities into the classroom enriches the student experience. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop new courses to meet burgeoning need in the Applied Science program. Creativity in course development is encouraged, including paired courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and course offerings that share technological advances and societal responsibilities with non-majors. Successful applicants will be expected to engage in the following activities:
- Teaching. UW-Stout science faculty teach majors and non-majors courses that utilize laptop computers and web-based technology.Faculty also provide learning activities that result in highly engaged students who are knowledgeable, skilled, and well prepared for their careers or further schooling in the sciences.
- Scholarship. Faculty pursue applied and fundamental research that provides learning opportunities for undergraduates. Pursuing research goals with classroom students as well as students in a traditional research group is encouraged, as are connections with industry.
- Service. Faculty make high-impact intellectual contributions to the broader civic, university, industrial, and scientific communities. Pursuing service goals with classroom students is encouraged.
- Collaboration. Faculty collaborate with others to build stronger programs in the sciences. Collaborations across disciplines and beyond university boundaries are encouraged.
- Continued Professional Development. Faculty seek, attend, and implement changes from training opportunities that improve their professional excellence.
- Dissemination. Faculty share the results of their professional activities with audiences beyond the university. The ultimate goal of these efforts is typically publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Advising. Faculty mentor and advise students in the Applied Science and/or related majors.
- Student Recruitment and Retention. Faculty assist in recruitment and retention of students at UW-Stout.
These new positions are funded by the NanoSTEM initiative, a cross-campus program designed to educate students in the advanced STEM disciplines of nanotechnology, computer and plastics engineering, and biotechnology. A consortium of higher education institutions (UW-Stout, UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, and Chippewa Valley Technical College) are acting as catalysts for economic development in West-Central Wisconsin, and UW-Stout plays a central role in this effort. Additional state funding will continue to provide access to state-of-the-art science and engineering facilities for students and industry in the Chippewa Valley region. Ultimately, these efforts will build a stronger workforce in science, engineering, and technology in the State of Wisconsin.
We think you’ll find UW-Stout to be a great place to pursue your career objectives. Here’s why:
- Community. The science faculty at UW-Stout (http://www.uwstout.edu/cas/biology/) are members of an intellectually vibrant learning community that includes students, instructors, and support staff.
- Expertise. Faculty members are dedicated to teaching excellence and the application of best practices in the classroom.
- Support. Scholarly and service activities are well-supported by internal and external grants, and professional development and student travel funds are available. The NanoSTEM initiative provides significant internal funding for new faculty, and we have ready access to molecular biology, environmental sampling, clean room, neurobiology, and analytical chemistry equipment, both in-house and through collaborative agreements with nearby UW system schools and support organizations such as the Integrated Solutions Consortium and NanoRite.
- New facility. A $44M science building is being built at UW-Stout and new science and engineering initiatives are planned.
- New administrative structure. As of July 2008, the science departments will be part of a new College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Further opportunities for interdisciplinary studies are supported through the Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration on the UW-Stout campus.
- Interdisciplinary environment. The science departments, with mathematics and computer science, play a crucial role in the cross-disciplinary biotechnology, nanotechnology, science education, engineering, and bioinformatics programs, and support the cognitive neuroscience, dietetics, construction, packaging, engineering, and vocational rehabilitation programs through service courses. We also provide non-majors science instruction.
How to Apply
To apply, prepare a three- to four-page proposal summarizing your research and teaching experiences, and detailing your innovative plans for engaging students and advancing knowledge in your field. Include a description of how you would apply your skills and experience to (1) create research and educational opportunities for students in Applied Science and related fields and (2) contribute to the growth of the nanotechnology and/or biotechnology programs, including courses you feel qualified to teach or develop.
Send the proposal, a CV, copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial acceptable, including international certificates) and contact information for three professional references in electronic or hard copy format to NanoSTEM Search Chair, UW-Stout, 204 Science Wing, 817 S. Broadway Ave, Menomonie, WI 54751 (wolft@uwstout.edu).
Screening will begin March 15, 2008 and continue until the positions are filled. UW-Stout is an EO/AA employer. Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check.