Assistant Professor - Plant Molecular Biologist

Job Description
The Department of Biology at Colorado State University Pueblo is one of the largest departments on campus and is recognized for its excellence in both teaching and research activities. We focus on the student, facilitating hands-on experience, interactions with faculty, and opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate research. Program activity is dominated by our teaching mission, with a typical semester teaching load consisting of 12 credit hours of instruction with the possibility of 3 credits reassignment for mentoring students in research.
The Department of Biology serves about 250 majors and currently has eight full-time, tenure-track faculty, and two lecturers. We provide bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Wildlife, and a master’s degree in Biology. Additionally, the department offers service courses to other programs on campus who offer degrees in Exercise Science, Nursing, and Health Sciences.
The Biology Department is part of the STEM college and is highly integrated with other Departments in the College including Chemistry, Mathematics, and Engineering. Colorado State University Pueblo is located in the heart of Southern Colorado, in a community shaped by various cultural traditions with rich historical roots and many opportunities for outdoor activities. Located near the cities of Colorado Springs and Denver, Pueblo is also near two national parks and a nationally recognized state park among other amenities.
Primary Duties
Teaching
Developing and delivering courses such as core courses in Molecular Biology and Botany, and electives such as Advanced Molecular Techniques and Plant Physiology.
Contributing to teaching introductory courses to non-majors and majors.
Research
Oversees research projects in plant molecular biosciences including their design, funding, implementation, and reporting.
Involves undergraduate and graduate (master's) students in original independent research in molecular plant biosciences.
Service
Provides service to the department, college, university and profession
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in molecular biology or related field, conferred by August 16, 2027. Applicants who are all but dissertation (ABD) during the search will be considered if they meet that deadline.
Capability of maintaining a program of scholarly activity in the molecular biosciences.
Ability to contribute to service responsibilities of program, college, university and/or profession.
Demonstrated teaching effectiveness in university level biology
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment and ability to motivate, educate and mentor students from a range of cultural and educational backgrounds similar to that of Colorado State University-Pueblo, in major courses and service courses in Biology
Postdoctoral experience
Demonstrated commitment to high quality teaching and mentoring of undergraduates and graduates in Biology.
Additional Job Description
Employment-Based Immigration Sponsorship is not available for this position.
This position is on-site for the Pueblo Campus.
Salary
$65,046 to $71,648
Applicants must attach the following documents, in order to be considered for this position:
a letter of intent (cover letter) describing the means in which you meet the qualifications for this position
unofficial or official transcripts showing required degree(s) conferred
Early submission of application materials is encouraged. Applications received by 8:00 AM (MST) on November 13th, 2026, will receive full consideration. Screening of applications will begin only after this deadline is met, and will continue until the position is filled.
About Colorado State University Pueblo
Work Location: Unless otherwise stated in the job announcement, positions at Colorado State University Pueblo are expected to be performed in person at a University work location. Any remote or hybrid work arrangements will be explicitly identified in the position announcement.
Colorado State University Pueblo is a comprehensive state university with an enrollment of 4,000 students. CSU Pueblo provides relevant professional coursework and superior instruction with a small student-to-faculty ratio for an ever-changing global economy. Students can choose from 38 undergraduate programs with 70 fields of study in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; the Hasan School of Business, the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; and the College of Health, Education, and Nursing; and 15 graduate programs.
CSU Pueblo is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship that elevates our people and our community, creates educational opportunities, fosters unique collaborations, and supports inclusion, access, and affordability as a gateway to the world. CSU Pueblo is equally committed to serving the diverse population of the region; this emphasis is reflected in the demographic characteristics of the student body. Because more than 25 percent of our students are Hispanic, the Federal Government has designated CSU Pueblo a Hispanic Serving Institution. Besides reflecting our commitment to serve this critically important and rapidly growing segment of the student population, that designation also allows the University to compete for certain federal grant funds to support its ability to better serve all students.
Among its unique features, CSU Pueblo is one of seven schools in the nation to offer a degree in mechatronics, which combines electrical and mechanical engineering. The Hasan School of Business ranks among the top 15 percent of all business schools internationally with graduate and undergraduate programs in business administration accredited by the AACSB International Board of Directors. The College of STEM houses an undergraduate engineering program that was ranked in the nation's top 100 by U.S. News and World Report. CSU Pueblo has an ever-changing campus landscape that features a newly renovated Library, a new general academic classroom building, and a newly renovated and expanded student center.
At CSU Pueblo, Student Life offerings have increased significantly with the transition of the campus from a commuter environment to a more traditional collegiate experience. Competing at the NCAA Division II level, CSU Pueblo is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and offers 22 varsity intercollegiate sports and also has active intramural and club sports teams that allow students to get involved in campus life.
Colorado State University Pueblo offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Medical and prescription insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible benefit plan
Basic term life insurance
Voluntary term life and AD&D Insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Travel accident insurance
Voluntary critical illness and accident insurance
Annual and sick leave
Retirement plans
Employee and dependent tuition discounts
State employee discounts via BenefitHub
Other incentives include various on-campus event, recreation, and meal discounts.
About Pueblo, Colorado
The city of Pueblo is a historically and culturally rich, diverse city of more than 100,000, located in the southern part of the state along the Arkansas River near the Wet Mountains and the majestic Sangre de Cristo range. Pueblo enjoys ideal year-round climate with four distinct mild seasons, crisp mountain air, and 300+ days of sunshine per year. Pueblo attracts outdoor enthusiasts to a full slate of summer and winter recreational activities, encompassing water sports at Lake Pueblo, biking or running along Pueblo's beautiful river trail system, golfing, tennis, hiking, or skiing in the mountains to the west. The region is heavily agricultural, with large and small-scale farming and ranching, and a diverse mix of service, manufacturing, and technology industries.
CSU Pueblo is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history (felony and misdemeanor), national sex offender search, and/or motor vehicle history. Candidates who are extended an offer of employment must submit to and pass a background check prior to beginning employment. Some positions depending on the job duties may be required to