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Muncie, Indiana, United States
Onsite
Available
Position Title:
Assistant Professor of BiologyCompensation:
$70,000 - $80,000Department:
BiologyStart Date:
08/16/2027About this opportunity:
The Department of Biology at Ball State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Botany. This is a full-time, on-campus, nine-month, benefit-eligible position offering a competitive salary and a generous start-up package. The anticipated start date is August 2027.What you'll do and what you will bring:
Position Function
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses broadly within plant biology and biodiversity, including Botany, Dendrology, Aquatic Botany, Forestry, and Plant Taxonomy/Systematics, as well as an upper-level or graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The candidate will be expected to incorporate field experiences and experiential learning into appropriate courses.
The successful candidate will also develop an externally funded, field-based research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students while complementing and collaborating with current faculty in the Department of Biology. We seek a plant biologist whose work addresses fundamental or applied questions about plants in natural systems, from individuals and populations to species, communities, and ecosystems. A substantial field component must be central to the candidate’s research program.
We are deliberately broad with respect to subdiscipline. Plant ecologists, evolutionary biologists, ecophysiologists, systematists, conservation and restoration scientists, and researchers studying plant interactions with other organisms are all encouraged to apply.
Field botany, zoology, and wildlife biology and conservation are important areas of strength within the department. Accordingly, we are especially interested in candidates who can engage and motivate students through field-based teaching, research, mentoring, and experiential learning.
The strongest candidates will have a record of accomplished teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, demonstrated evidence of outstanding scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, a well-defined field-based research program, experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate researchers, and strong potential for external funding.
Duties and Responsibilities
Will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biology. The teaching assignment will include Botany, Dendrology, Forestry, Aquatic Botany, and Plant Taxonomy/Systematics, together with an upper-level or graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. Typical load is (2-3 courses per semester / 18 credit hours per year).
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Department, Facilities, and Support
The Department of Biology comprises 30 full-time faculty and offers the BA/BS in Biology, the MS in Biology, and the PhD in Environmental Sciences.The successful candidate will have access to:
Collections and growing facilities. The Ball State University Herbarium; a teaching and research greenhouse holding roughly 2,000 living specimens from more than 100 plant families; and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, which houses over 2,000 orchids.
Christy Woods. A 17-acre natural area on campus, available for both coursework and long-term research.
Field properties. Cooper Farm, Ginn Woods, Skinner Field Area, Donald E. Miller Wildlife Area, and the Juanita Hults Environmental Learning Center for field-based teaching and research.
How to apply:
For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:
Dr. Suman Neupane suman.neupane@bsu.edu
Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below. Important: Do not use the autofill feature for resume.
Required documents:
Optional documents:
Applications must be received by November 19, 2026, at 12:01 AM.
What we offer:
At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.
When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.
Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.
Curious about our excellent benefits package?
We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.
Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.
Relocation Program: MakeMyMove
Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.
Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.
Current benefits for eligible participants may include:
Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.
Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.
Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.