Tenure Track Faculty Biology

Description

Job ID

FU9765 -6130-1884

Position Classification

FT Faculty UDMPU (9 month).

Position Summary

The Department of Biology at the University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering & Science invites candidates to apply for a full-time tenure track faculty position starting August 16, 2026. The University of Detroit Mercy is dedicated to the goal of building a supportive, and inclusive academic community with a commitment to experiential and community engaged learning. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate through their teaching, research, experience, and service that they can contribute to the Mission of the University.

As a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI), we offer small classes and close collegial relationships. The College’s faculty forms a vibrant community of teaching scholars, with a strong focus on student-centered teaching, and academic mentorship of students. Our excellent student outcomes led to recognition by the Wall Street Journal Best Colleges report, ranking UDM 2nd in Michigan and 36th nationally. We are particularly interested in candidates who would contribute to our efforts to provide support and opportunities for historically minoritized students to pursue research careers in biology and related areas.

The Biology Department at Detroit Mercy includes thirteen full-time faculty who engage in scientific research, mentorship, and student-advising for students within the College of Engineering and Science and the College of Health Professions. The department serves over 700 undergraduate Biology majors as well as Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Chemistry, and Biochemistry majors. The Biology Department also provides accelerated and early assurance programs in cooperation with the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, the Detroit Mercy Physician Assistant graduate program, the Detroit Mercy Optometry graduate program, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Michigan State College of Human Medicine. 

A successful candidate would be one who has a strong interest in implementing student-centered, evidence-based pedagogical practices and assessment strategies. In addition, we seek a collaborative educator who is also an enthusiastic teacher-scholar committed to supporting the diverse population of undergraduate students we are seeking to attract. The candidate should have a proposed research agenda geared toward a PUI. The department has the infrastructure to support animal research, shared equipment, and laboratory startup funds. Candidates are expected to pursue external funding, disseminate results in refereed publications and conferences, and mentor undergraduate students in the laboratory. While the specific area of research focus is broad, the ability to engage undergraduate students in research is essential.

Teaching responsibilities will include teaching Physiology, and upper-level courses based on their area of expertise that complement or expand current offerings in the department. Of interest is experience or the ability to teach Comparative Anatomy, Nursing Anatomy and Physiology.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in physiology or a related biological field. 
• Experience teaching or training to teach in a college setting using active teaching strategies.
• Record of scholarship that demonstrates commitment and ability to pursue external funding, disseminate results in refereed publications and conferences, and engage undergraduates in scholarly activity.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Postdoctoral training (or other relevant experience).
• Commitment and ability to innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies that enhance student learning outcomes for a diverse undergraduate student body.
• Commitment to service of the department, college, university, and community in alignment with the mission of the university.
• Commitment to student-centered mentoring and advising a students’ holistic development, including encouraging students to reflect and engage with biology/science in a broader social context.
• Knowledge of the needs of students transitioning to university learning environment.
• Experience working with undergraduate students in the laboratory.

Physical Requirements

Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping. Occasionally lift average weight objects (1 to 10 pounds).

Work Environment

Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

Salary/Pay Information  

Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Schedule

TBD

Special Instructions to Applicants

Candidates must apply by completing an application and uploading materials. Materials must include: 

(1)   A detailed cover letter describing the ways your background addresses the required and preferred qualifications; 

(2)   A one-page teaching philosophy statement; 

(3)   A one-page statement of your research plans that specifically addresses the inclusion of undergraduate students;  

(4)   A one-page statement on how the applicant plans to incorporate the mission of the university into the classroom and research laboratory, 

(5)   A complete curriculum vitae, (6) the names and contact information of three professional references. Please do not include any letters of recommendation—they will be requested for all semi-finalists.

To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by January 12, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed after the full consideration date until the position is filled. 

Employee Benefits 

At the University of Detroit Mercy we continually strive to provide a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package to our valued employees. We offer our employees the following: 

· Medical -

       o Three health plans to choose from with a large national provider network

· Dental -

          o Option to purchase additional dental plan through Sun Life 

Dental Care is available at the School of Dentistry to the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents (dependents shall be as defined for Internal Revenue Service purposes).

The fee for such services shall be waived for the employee, the employee's spouse or legally domiciled adult and dependents, up to a cap of $3,000 per individual per calendar year. Beyond the $3,000 cap amount, employees will be responsible to pay 25% of any remaining fees for the balance of that year.

· Vision - 

          o Option to purchase additional vision plan through Heritage

Vision benefits available at Detroit Mercy Eye Institute

$35 Comprehensive Eye Exam

Contact Lens Exam starting at $7o

50% off Optical Frames

25% off Sun Frames

30% off Prescription Lenses

20% off Prescription Contact Lenses

*Cannot be combined with insurance*

· Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options

· Employee Assistance Program -

      o Provided to everyone in your household

· Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

· Life and AD&D - 

       o One times base salary up to a hundred thousand dollars

· Option to purchase additional life insurance, accident insurance, and/or critical illness insurance

· Tuition Remission Benefit for you, your spouse, and children

· Retirement Plan - 

Employees have a choice of the following:

Employees who contribute 3% shall receive an Employer contribution of 9%, employees who contribute 5% in the plan shall receive an Employer contribution of 10%.

Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private University, the University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. The University seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University’s mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.

Salary : $7 - $35