Lecturer of Microbiology - University of Maine System

The Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences in the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences at the University of Maine seeks to fill a non-tenure track, academic-year appointment as a Lecturer of Microbiology anticipated to start on August 1, 2025.



The successful applicant for the Lecturer of Microbiology position in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences will contribute to the University of Maine’s mission to provide excellence and innovation in undergraduate academic programs while addressing the complex challenges and opportunities of the 21st century through research-based knowledge. The lecturer will have the opportunity to develop evidence-based, effective teaching practices in an active-learning environment that blends didactic learning with authentic research learning experiences.



The Lecturer will participate in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate students in the Phage Genome Discovery Courses, engage in course-based research activities, and further their teaching expertise through professional development programs and scholarly activities. The Phage Genome Discovery course is an introductory research-intensive course sponsored by the HHMI and SEA-PHAGES program. Students gain knowledge and skills in biomedical research through the isolation of a novel bacteriophage from the soil and subsequent characterization through molecular biology and microbiology-related laboratory techniques and bioinformatic analysis of the bacteriophage genome.



The Lecturer will be expected to utilize inclusive and equitable teaching styles to contribute to the MBMS mission of first-year student success.



Essential Duties & Responsibilities:





+ Teach Undergraduate courses related to Microbiology and Molecular





Biology. Initial course assignments will include:



- Phage Genome Discovery I (BMB 150) in the Fall with hands-on microbiology and molecular biology techniques



- General Microbiology Laboratory (BMB 305) in the Fall



- Introduction to Cellular & Molecular Biology (BMB 280) in the Spring



- Genome Discovery II (BMB 155) in the Spring





+ Mentor student development through team and individual work.



+ Participate in curriculum development and assessment.



+ Lead the Phage Enrichment peer-mentoring program for Phage Genomics students.



+ Supervise course undergraduate and graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs).



+ Manage course material needs for BMB 150 along with the MBMS Laboratory Coordinator



+ Contribute to the advisement of undergraduate students in the department.



+ Engage in professional development activities through the University of Maine Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL (https://umaine.edu/citl/) ) and the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program (https://seaphages.org/) .



+ Commit to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and recommending possible alternatives for a situation.



+ Develop and maintain professional relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.







About the University:


The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.


The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits (https://www.maine.edu/human-resources/benefits/) for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.


UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer here (https://www.visitbangormaine.com/about-the-region/the-region-at-a-glance/) .


Qualifications:

Required:





+ Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline



+ Laboratory experience in Microbiology-related techniques



+ Evidence of commitment to pedagogical development.



+ Experience mentoring students in the laboratory setting



+ Effective written and oral communication skills



+ Evidence of organizational and time management skills



+ Evidence of successful performance in collaborative environments



+ Commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the discipline and institution





Preferred:





+ Demonstrated approaches to evidence-based and inclusive teaching



+ Evidence of familiarity with safety standards for laboratory instruction



+ Evidence of strong potential for research in phage-bacterial host interactions



+ Advisement and/or mentorship experience





Other Information:



To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:



1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

3.) teaching Philosophy Statement



Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.



Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.


For full consideration, materials must be submitted by November 30, 2024.



For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Melody N. Neely at melody.neely@maine.edu or 207-581-1513.


The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.






In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).









Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://umaine.edu/police/clery-annual-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.