Bacteriology, UW-Madison: Assistant, Associate or Full Professor; Tenured or Tenure Track

Overview

The Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for an open rank faculty position in Systems and Synthetic Biology. While applications from all areas of Microbiology will be considered, the department is particularly interested in candidates who seek to advance quantitative and predictive understanding of biological systems, including experimental, computational, and engineering approaches that uncover fundamental principles and, in some cases, enable the design and control of biological function.

We welcome research that connects molecular mechanisms to cellular and higher‑order biological function across multiple scales. This hire will support ongoing teaching needs and may develop new courses in quantitative microbiology, systems & synthetic microbiology, and/or microbiome engineering.

The successful candidate will join a strong and collaborative department with broad and complementary strengths across microbial sciences. Current research areas include microbial metabolism, molecular mechanisms of regulation, natural products chemistry, computational approaches to microbiological ecosystems, and the bioeconomy. The department fosters a highly interactive environment, with a culture of collaboration and intellectual exchange that supports interdisciplinary research and innovation. The Department of Bacteriology has an excellent infrastructure for support of new faculty in the Synthetic Biology area with staff scientists in Biocomputing and the Microbial Natural Products Discovery Hub.

UW‑Madison is a top‑ranked research institution that provides a world‑class environment to develop an outstanding research program by affording excellent facilities and a vibrant place to learn and teach. The City of Madison and its surrounding communities are ranked among the best places to live in the country, with a wide range of social, cultural, and outdoor activities, and career opportunities for family members.

Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background and research experience in microbiology, microbial natural product chemistry, synthetic biology, biotechnology, computational microbiology or related fields. The successful candidates will lead innovative research programs aimed at predictive modeling and engineering of biological networks, mechanisms of adaptation and stress response, or multiscale interactions in complex biological systems. Teaching loads and responsibilities will include graduate and undergraduate courses aligned with department and college expectations.

• Develop and direct a well‑recognized and extramurally funded research program.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses and contribute to curriculum updates and innovations to educate a diverse student body.
• Mentor graduate students and supervise their research.
• Participate in departmental and university faculty governance.
• Contribute to professional and public service, and collaborate with other departments, schools, and colleges.

Negotiable. ACADEMIC (9 months).

The successful candidate will have an excellent academic record, a vision for an innovative and impactful research program, the skills to implement it, and a commitment to high quality and inclusive undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring.

We encourage applicants of any rank. At the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, the candidate's qualifications must be sufficient to meet the requirements for tenure in the Department of Bacteriology, in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, at the University of Wisconsin‑Madison.

Required by start date:
PhD in microbiology, synthetic biology, biological computation, or related fields, with additional research training and expertise relevant to the goals of the position.

This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational…