Assistant Professor, Plant Taxonomy - Weber State University

The Department of Botany at Weber State University invites applications for a tenure-track position with teaching to start in Fall 2020. We seek a person with expertise in plant taxonomy/systematics. The successful candidate will be appointed at the Assistant Professor level.

The successful candidate will be expected to 1) teach an upper division plant taxonomy course, 2) teach lower division courses as department needs require, 3) oversee the curation of the Botany Department’s herbarium, 4) establish an active and sustained research program that includes mentoring undergraduate students, 5) attempt to secure external funding in support of teaching or research, 6) contribute to the development of new departmental and interdisciplinary courses and curricula, and 7) develop collaborations with colleagues in Botany and in other departments at Weber State University.

Minimum Qualifications

  • A Ph.D. in plant taxonomy/systematics, or a related field. Candidates who expect to complete a Ph.D. by the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester will also be considered.

  • Evidence of teaching excellence at the undergraduate level

  • Ability to teach plant taxonomy

  • Familiarity with standard herbarium databases

  • Experience collecting and curating plant specimens

  • A demonstrated commitment to high-quality research, to mentoring undergraduate researchers, and to integrating research into the classroom


Seeking applicants with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Preferred qualifications include:

  • Experience or interest in teaching plant anatomy, plant systematics, and/or intermountain flora

  • Knowledge of plants native to the western U.S.

  • Experience or interest in using innovative, high-impact teaching strategies

  • Postdoctoral position or other relevant experience

To apply, please complete the online application at https://jobs.weber.edu/ and attach a cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research plans, current CV, and unofficial transcripts.

In addition, arrange for three (3) letters of recommendation that address the candidate’s qualifications for this position to be mailed separately from each recommender to:

Dr. Heather Root, Plant Taxonomist Search Committee Chair
Department of Botany
Weber State University
1415 Edvalson St., Dept. 2504
Ogden, UT 84408-2504

Applications received by January 1, 2020 will receive highest priority and review of applicants will proceed immediately thereafter. Screening will continue until the position is filled.

Criminal background check required as a condition of employment.

Additional information about employment, benefits, and salaries at WSU is available at https://weber.edu/humanresources.

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