Professor of Botany

Job Summary:

The Department of Botany along with the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seek applicants for up to two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions beginning as soon as Fall 2025 in the areas of evolution, systematics, and/or ecology. Candidates' research accomplishments and aims should show evidence of originality and innovation in addressing significant questions in the ecology, systematics, or evolution of plants, algae, and fungi. We are particularly interested in candidates who employ innovative approaches to investigate fundamental and significant questions through the integration of field, experimental, theoretical, data science, and/or genomic approaches. Candidates should have a proven track record of innovation and high-impact research and will be expected to build a vigorous, externally-funded research program with an international profile.

The successful candidate will advance the educational mission of the College of Letters & Science, which values, prioritizes, and implements evidence-based and student-centered teaching and mentoring. They will contribute to teaching in the Departments of Botany and Integrative Biology, which offer diverse courses (lecture, lab, field) in the areas of systematics, evolution, and ecology. They will contribute to an inclusive, fair, and equitable environment that fosters engagement and a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students, and others.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will be expected to conduct cutting-edge scholarly research as well as provide service to the department, college, university and academic community nationally or internationally. The candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as supervising graduate research. The successful candidate, as a member of the College of Letters & Science, will proactively contribute to, support, and advance the college's commitment to diversity in all aspects of their teaching, research, and service.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
PhD
Biology, Botany, Ecology, Evolution, or similar by start date

Qualifications:

A minimum of 1 year of postdoctoral research by the start of appointment with an emphasis on ecology, evolution, systematics, or related research areas. Candidates should demonstrate evidence of creativity and excellence in teaching and scholarly research and an ability to support an inclusive and equitable academic environment where all can thrive.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Anticipated Begin Date:

AUGUST 18, 2025

Salary:

Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)

Additional Information:

The Department of Botany provides an exciting research environment with expertise ranging from the cell, organism, and species levels to the dynamics of plant communities and ecosystems. It is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's highly collaborative plant research community that spans multiple departments across multiple colleges. Within the College of Letters & Science, the Department of Botany shares many areas of research, including in evolution and ecology, with the Department of Integrative Biology. We expect that the candidates will be able to capitalize on opportunities offered by both departments and expertise in other colleges. The University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks among the top research universities in the country and provides excellent support for faculty seeking external funding. Internal research support is available from funds provided by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Madison is the state capital of Wisconsin with a large base for educational research and government activities as well as university-industry interactions. The City of Madison, with its outstanding intellectual, cultural, and recreational activities, consistently ranks among cities with the highest quality of life in the country.

The College of Letters & Science and the Departments of Botany and Integrative Biology are committed to providing an inclusive environment in which all of us - students, staff, and faculty - can thrive and everybody is welcome. Ours is a community in which all are welcome. Most importantly, we strive to build a community in which all of us feel a great sense of belonging. There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms; diverse teams are more creative and successful than homogeneous ones. We are better when we are diverse and when we acknowledge, celebrate and honor our diversity. In acknowledging and honoring our diversity, we also assume a responsibility to support and stand up for each other.

How to Apply:

This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with PVL306536; please note that only two total vacancies exist. Having two position vacancy listings allows the Search & Screen Committee to consider candidates in either a tenure or tenure-track position. Applicants for Assistant position will use PVL#306526 (this PVL). Applicants for Associate or Full Professor with tenure should apply using PVL# 306536.

Candidates must apply online at jobs.wisc.edu; search for position Professor of Botany (PVL 306536) and click on "Apply Now." Applicants must upload the following:
1. Cover Letter/Statement of Interest (1-2 pages);
2. CV with publications;
3. One document (up to 5 pages) that contains: (a) a Research Statement summarizing major accomplishments and future plans, (b) a Teaching and Mentoring Statement summarizing the candidate's teaching experience and philosophy to student-centered teaching and mentoring, and (c) a Service Statement, summarizing past and potential future contributions to improving academia and society at large to benefit individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The names of references will only be sought for shortlisted candidates.

For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59 pm on November 15, 2024. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Please note that applicants will be evaluated based upon submitted application materials and therefore should speak to and include evidence of their qualifications. Application materials must clearly demonstrate the applicant's dedication to excellence in student-centered teaching and mentoring. Additionally, materials should showcase the applicant's ability to purposefully plan their teaching practices, evidenced through goals, action plans, reflection, and related documentation. This portion of the application materials must be created by the applicant and may include supporting letters. It cannot be only in the form of letters and testimony by others.

Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application. The authorization form and a definition of 'misconduct' can be found here: https://hr.wisc.edu/institutional-reference-check/

Contact:

David Baum
dbaum@wisc.edu
608-265-5385
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

---

---

Official Title:

Assistant Professor(FA040)

Department(s):

A48-COL OF LETTERS & SCIENCE/BOTANY/BOTANY

Employment Class:

Faculty

Job Number:

306526-FA

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.