Villanova University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honors its connection to Gregor Mendel by establishing the Dennis M. Cook Endowed Gregor Mendel Chair in Genetics. Mendel conducted his classic experiments with the garden pea while a member of the Augustinian abbey in Brünn, Moravia (now Brno, the Czech Republic). There, Mendel lived in a vibrant community of scholars with diverse interests across the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Mendel's work not only with peas, but with hawkweeds, bees, and astronomical observations, coupled with his fascination with the newly emerging fields of probability theory and combinatorial mathematics, serve as an example of interdisciplinarity that Villanova hopes to engender in its students.
We seek a nationally recognized teacher-scholar-researcher who will contribute to the Augustinian foundation of Villanova through the development and implementation of an ethical and socially responsible program that includes interaction with and involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in both teaching and research. Recognizing the broad brush of genetics in the 21st century, the Chair may focus on classical inheritance, functional genomics, gene expression, bioinformatics, evolutionary genetics, or other areas that integrate genes and/or genomic material into the research program. The Chair will be actively involved in service to the College and University, as well as to the scientific profession. The term of the Endowed Chair is five years and is renewable.
The Chair will:
Develop and maintain a productive, externally funded research program that involves the study of genetics, genomics, and/or genes.
Develop courses (for graduate, undergraduate, and/or non-science students) and programs that focus on the genetics, genomics and/or genes, as well as seminar courses that address social, legal, and ethical considerations at the interface of genetics and society.
Participate in the development of long-term plans of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and of the University as they relate to ongoing efforts to ensure excellence in undergraduate education in the sciences within the context of a liberal arts education.
Work with faculty colleagues within the University to seek external funding for new and creative initiatives in both education and scientific research that foster the personal and professional development of Villanova undergraduate science students.
Enhance the national reputation of the University and College through contributions to instruction, research, and community service that promote the personal development of undergraduate students in the sciences in a way that fosters critical thinking and problem solving, within a context of a liberal arts education, so that students are destined to become future leaders that contribute to the overall betterment of society at large.
Applicants must apply online at https://jobs.villanova.edu. Applications are to include a current and complete curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing a proposed program of teaching, research, and service that addresses the expectations for the position described above. Applicants should also provide the names and contact information for four references. Appointment is expected to be at the Associate Professor or Professor rank, with a starting date of August 2012. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Questions may be addressed to: Dr. R. Kelman Wieder, Associate Dean for Sciences and Search Committee Chair, Email: Kelman.Wieder@villanova.edu; Ph.: 610-519-4856
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian order. An AA/EEO employer, Villanova seeks a diverse faculty committed to scholarship, service, and especially teaching, who understand, respect, and can contribute to the University's mission and values.
