Research Assistant Professor - Department of Biology

The Department of Biology at West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor in environmental microbiology and plant-microbe interactions. This is a full-time, 9-month, grant-funded, non-tenure-track research faculty appointment with full benefits. Continuation beyond the initial 9-month term is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the continued availability of grant funding.

The Department of Biology is home to over 40 graduate students in M.S. and Ph.D. programs with a strong record of students earning prestigious DOE, NIH, and NSF fellowships, a Genomics Core Facility with next-generation sequencing, and the Earl L. Core Arboretum. Faculty benefit from proximity to world-class field sites, including the Fernow Experimental Forest, the West Virginia University Forest, and the Summit Bechtel Reserve forest dynamics plot.

The successful candidate is expected to develop an independent and collaborative research program investigating how microorganisms and their interactions with plants shape ecosystem function, carbon and nitrogen cycling, and plant productivity and resilience in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The position is supported initially through federal funding secured by faculty within the Biology Department and work will focus on using artificial intelligence to understand how environmental conditions and interspecies interactions influence microbial phenotypes. Successful applicants' research is expected to apply cutting-edge molecular, biogeochemical, and computational approaches to address environmental and sustainability challenges.

Responsibilities

The position is structured as 80% research and 20% service, with no formal teaching assignment. Research responsibilities include:

• Leading and contributing to the development of competitive grant proposals.
• Grant management and reporting.
• Designing, directing, and conducting independent and collaborative field and laboratory research.
• Performing and overseeing microbiological, molecular, and biogeochemical analyses (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, high-throughput amplicon and metagenomic sequencing, and stable isotope probing, etc.).
• Analyzing and interpreting complex datasets using statistical and bioinformatic methods.
• Leading the writing of scientific manuscripts and presenting results at conferences.

Service responsibilities (20%) include mentoring and training graduate and undergraduate researchers and contributing to the department, university, and broader scientific community through seminars, peer review, and professional service.

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in biology, microbiology, environmental science, plant and soil sciences, ecology, or a closely related discipline (in hand by the start date). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate:

• Must have the demonstrated ability to write grant proposals and to secure extramural funding.
• Evidence of research in the area of environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, or plant-microbe interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform microbiological and molecular laboratory techniques (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, high-throughput sequencing) and analysis of the resulting data.
• A record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications in environmental microbiology, plant microbe interactions, and soil biogeochemistry.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and apply appropriate statistical methods.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a research team.
• Demonstrated ability to culture nitrogen fixing bacteria and microbial consortia.
• Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Application

To apply, please visit WVU Careers and upload: (1) a cover letter describing your research experience, accomplishments; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a brief statement of research interests; and (4) contact information for three professional references. Candidates who are invited for on-campus interviews will be asked for letters of recommendation and may be asked for additional materials at a later date. Review of applications will begin on August 24, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact: Ember Morrissey (ember.morrissey@mail.wvu.edu).

Morgantown, WV is a growing university city. The area offers abundant outdoor recreation and the cultural opportunities of a college town. It is within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA (70 mi) and is within a day's driving distance to Washington DC and Columbus, OH (200 mi). West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees. From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures. At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers. Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.