Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor in Biology

Wenzhou-Kean University

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), located in Wenzhou, China, one of three Sino-American universities along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University, is approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

WKU sits on approximately 500 beautiful acres and currently enrolls about 5,500 undergraduate and graduate students, and it is now in the midst of a rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,000 students within the next three years. All instruction is in English, and all curriculum is provided by Kean University.

In addition to its current 18 undergraduate programs, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education for offering 14 Master’s and 3 doctorate programs. WKU highly values research-powered teaching and learning, and the average number of faculty publications and the Field-weighted Citation Impact are among the best of leading Chinese academic institutions.

Wenzhou is one of the most vibrant and economically advanced developed cities on China’s East Coast, located one hour by plane and three hours by high-speed train from Shanghai. 

About the Job:

The College of Science, Mathematics and Technology is seeking highly motivated individuals to join the biology department at WKU.

The faculty position is full-time assignment, effective for the start of the 2027 Spring or the 2027 Fall semester. This position is full-time assignments appointed on a 3-year contract at the first instance and are renewable upon successful reappointment review.

Tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor is a full-time, 10-month employee who teaches 24 credits per academic year. Tenure-track faculty normally teach 2 different courses, with each section typically consisting of 24-30 students. Faculty are required to conduct research, provide high-quality teaching, and provide service to the university and/or professional community. Six credits of teaching release time will be provided to new faculty each year for the first three consecutive years of the appointment to support external research grant development and other significant research endeavors. Thereafter, release time may be available by application on a competitive basis. The university will provide start-up grants (up to 300,000 RMB) supporting their research programs. After joining WKU, faculty will apply for external grants at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. Faculty members successfully obtaining eligible external grants will be afforded release time ranging from 3-12 credits per year.

Teaching assignments and related responsibilities may include day, evening, and online courses. Interest in or experience with advanced instructional technologies to improve the teaching/learning process is highly desirable. All faculty are required to teach General Education courses as needed, and must be able to teach wet‑lab courses at either introductory or advanced levels. Opportunities are also available to teach interdisciplinary support courses. 

Qualifications:

A doctorate degree in Biology or closely related fields is required. English fluency is required. Candidates should be able to teach upper-level courses related to FOUR specific fields: 1) Anatomy & Physiology, 2) Immunotherapy & Regenerative Therapy, 3) Cell & Molecular Biology, 4) Plant Biology, in addition to General Biology courses. For tenure-track Assistant Professor, applications from early career researchers with PhD degree in biology or closely related disciplines obtained within the past 10 years from reputable universities including Carnegie R1 institutions or equivalent research institutions renowned for their academic excellence in these fields, are encouraged.

Tenure-track candidates should possess a strong track record for publication and be ready to lead their research groups independently. Tenure track candidates are expected to plan and conduct research and develop extramurally funded research programs involving students, which is essential for tenure and promotion. Tenure track candidates are also expected to publish peer-reviewed journal articles in impactful journals in Biology or closely related fields. In addition to teaching and student-engaging research duties, candidates are also expected to contribute to the growth of the programs, including but not limited to curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment/advisement, senior project supervision, internship opportunities, research experiences for undergraduates (REU), etc. 

Application Information:

Applicants are REQUIRED to apply online. To receive full consideration by the search committee, candidates need to submit the following documents by clicking the 'Apply' button. Please clearly indicate in your COVER LETTER the specific field (Anatomy & Physiology, Immunotherapy & Regenerative Therapy, Cell & Molecular Biology, or Plant Biology) for which you are applying.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please submit through Interfolio a cover letter, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research goals, unofficial transcripts, three most recent peer-reviewed academic publications, and contact information of three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that your immediate supervisor may be contacted for the purpose of conducting a reference check. Official transcripts for all degrees and three current letters of recommendation are required before appointment. 

Faculty Position at WKU offers:

• $70,000-$82,000 for Assistant Professors. Salary of extraordinary candidates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis
• The University will provide start-up grants to support tenure-track faculty to start their research programs
• A well-rounded healthcare coverage, housing options and subsidy up to $3,000, home traveling up to $6,000 (2 international round-trip airfares), a reimbursement to cover relocation expenses up to $1,000 and shuttle bus to campus for work.
• The university provides financial assistance for academic travel.
• WKU tuition waiver up to 50% for spouse/dependent children of faculty for undergraduate programs. A collegial environment.
• A three-year initial contract.
• The opportunity to teach high-quality students. About 60% of graduates who pursued graduate study have been admitted to graduate schools at the World’s Top 50 Universities, and more than 80% of graduates who pursued graduate study at the World’s Top 100 Universities. 

Background Screening:

Wenzhou-Kean University conducts background screenings on all candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings.