Job Details

Institution: Francis Marion University
Department: Biology
Location: Florence, South Carolina
Type: Full-Time | Category: Biology
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Expected Start Date: August 16, 2026
Position Number: 26-10

Position Summary

Francis Marion University (FMU) and the Department of Biology invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biology position beginning August 2026.
We seek candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, research, and service at a comprehensive liberal arts institution.

Faculty Responsibilities

1. Teaching

• Teach Human Anatomy lectures and labs primarily for pre-health students.

• Occasionally teach introductory biology courses as departmental needs arise.

• Opportunity to develop and teach upper-level courses in the candidate’s area of expertise.

2. Service

• Contribute to departmental, university, and professional service, including:

  • Academic advising and student recruitment

  • Faculty governance and committee participation

  • Professional engagement (e.g., organizing conferences, editorial boards, or involvement in scientific societies)

3. Research

• Develop and sustain an active research program that:

  • Involves undergraduate students in meaningful scientific inquiry.

  • Contributes to the broader biological and scientific community through peer-reviewed scholarship.

Position Details

• Contract: Nine-month, tenure-track appointment.

• Teaching Load: 7 courses per year (21 contact hours; lab hours count fully).

• Primary Course Focus: Human Anatomy, supporting FMU’s pre-professional programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology, and upcoming programs in Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies.

• Rank and Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• Additional Opportunities: Summer teaching options available for extra compensation.

• Support: Competitive internal funding available to support research, travel, and undergraduate scholarship.

Qualifications

• Required:

  • Earned Ph.D. in Biology or a related discipline from an accredited institution.

  • ABD candidates will be considered but must complete their degree before the contract start date.

• Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience teaching Human Anatomy at the undergraduate level.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Letter of Interest (reference position number 26-10)

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Teaching Statement describing teaching experience and philosophy

4. Research Statement outlining research interests, long-term goals, and plans for involving undergraduates

5. Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)

6. Names and contact information for at least three references

7. FMU Faculty Application (available here)

Send all application materials to:
Dr. Charlene Wages
Vice President for Administration and Planning
Francis Marion University
P.O. Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547

📧 Email: hrassist@fmarion.edu
📠 Fax: (843) 661-1202

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

About the Department of Biology

The Department of Biology at FMU includes 20 faculty members representing diverse biological disciplines. The department emphasizes academic excellence, creative teaching, impactful research, and collaborative service.
Learn more: www.fmarion.edu/biology

Contact: Dr. Vernon Bauer, Department Chair — vbauer@fmarion.edu

About Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University (FMU) is a state-assisted regional university located on an 800-acre campus serving approximately 4,200 students in Florence, South Carolina. FMU upholds the values of academic freedom, shared governance, and diversity.

Distinctive Facilities & Programs

• Wildsumaco Biological Station (Ecuador): A field station on the east slope of the Andes.

• Freshwater Ecology Center (FEC): A 146-acre site featuring wetlands, forests, and a 20-acre lake near campus.

• Downtown Health Sciences Campus: In partnership with USC Medical School, McLeod Regional Medical Center, and MUSC Health Florence.

FMU has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top Regional Universities in the South for over a decade and listed in The Chronicle’s Great Colleges to Work For (2013–2025).

About Florence, South Carolina

Located in the heart of the Pee Dee region, Florence is a thriving city serving over 250,000 residents. It offers a growing downtown district, rich cultural life, and close proximity to Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Charlotte, Asheville, and Savannah.

FMU contributes to the city’s cultural vitality through the Steven F. Gately Art Gallery and the FMU Performing Arts Center, home to the Florence Symphony Orchestra.
Learn more about Florence: www.flochamber.com/about-flo

Equal Opportunity Statement

Francis Marion University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution that encourages applications from women, minorities, and veterans.
Applicants honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces who meet the minimum training and experience requirements receive employment preference under South Carolina law.