Assistant Professor of Computational Biology

Position Announcement

The Department of Biological Sciences at Utah Tech University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Computational Biology, with a primary focus on Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) algorithms and their pedagogical application at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This position is part of a two-position hire supporting the department's expanding programs in bioinformatics and genomics.

The successful candidate will be an expert in NGS algorithms and pipeline development, capable of translating complex computational concepts for students at varying levels of experience. The position will provide instruction for an existing Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and Master of Science in Genomics with a Bioinformatics emphasis.

The Biological Sciences department houses degree programs in Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Biology Secondary Education. Additional program information is available at https://biology.utahtech.edu/.

Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum

• Teach 24 credit hours of lower and/or upper-division courses per academic year across undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Deliver upper-division and master's-level courses in NGS algorithms, bioinformatics pipeline design, computational genomics, and related topics, with the ability to adapt instruction to students from both computational and life science backgrounds.
• Teach core NGS topics including short- and long-read sequencing platforms, read alignment algorithms (e.g., BWA, STAR, minimap2), variant calling, de novo assembly, transcriptomics, and epigenomics analysis.
• Develop and teach additional courses as needed, which may include Principles of Genetics, Introduction to Programming for Biologists, or Statistical Genomics, depending on departmental need and applicant expertise.
• Create innovative upper-level elective courses that reflect emerging areas of NGS technology and computational biology, complementing and diversifying the department's current offerings.
• Design and deliver instruction in multiple modalities including face-to-face, flipped classroom, hybrid, and fully online formats; willingness to teach evening and summer courses when needed.

Research and Mentorship

• Mentor master's students in functional genomics and NGS-focused research projects, guiding them from data generation through computational analysis and interpretation.
• Supervise undergraduate research in computational biology, providing hands-on experience with NGS datasets and bioinformatics workflows.
• Maintain an active scholarly profile consistent with the teacher-scholar model, including publications, presentations, or collaborative research appropriate to a primarily undergraduate and master's serving institution.
• Assist in mentoring and supervising part-time instructors teaching in the bioinformatics program.

Service and Institutional Contribution

• Collaborate with the Department Chair, Dean, and faculty colleagues on curriculum development, program assessment, and strategic planning for both the Bioinformatics B.S. and Genomics M.S. programs.
• Perform campus-wide service duties including holding regular office hours, attending department and division meetings, serving on university and college committees, and participating in outreach and recruitment activities.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary curricular and scholarly activities within the Department, the College of Science, Engineering & Technology, and the University.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Computer Science with a biological application focus, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in NGS algorithms and the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data, with proficiency in at least one scripting/programming language (Python, R, Bash, or equivalent) and familiarity with bioinformatics tools and workflow management systems (e.g., Snakemake, Nextflow).
• Successful teaching experience at the college or university level, with evidence of effective instruction of NGS and computational biology topics to students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver innovative curriculum using a variety of instructional approaches, including active learning, project-based learning, and computational lab environments.
• Commitment to inclusive excellence: ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with students and colleagues from all backgrounds, and demonstrated advocacy for women, people of color, first-generation students, and other groups underrepresented in computational sciences.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex algorithmic concepts clearly to non-expert audiences.
• Demonstrated capacity for continuous professional development, including staying current with rapidly evolving NGS technologies, tools, and best practices.

Preferred

• Postdoctoral or industry experience applying NGS methods in a research context.
• Experience teaching or mentoring in a bioinformatics, genomics, or data science program at the graduate level.
• Familiarity with cloud computing environments (AWS, Google Cloud, or equivalent) and high-performance computing clusters for large-scale genomics analyses and workflow management tools (Nextflow, Snakemake).
• Experience developing online or hybrid bioinformatics courses, including the design of computational lab modules and auto-graded assessments.
• Track record of interdisciplinary collaboration bridging computational and experimental biology.
• Strong commitment to the teacher-scholar model at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI).

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service with pay and benefits starting 1 January 2027. Annual salary of $80,000-$86,000 depending on qualifications and experience, with additional compensation available for optional summer/overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 12, 2026; position open until filled.?Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, and a Student Success Statement (1-2 pages about the candidate’s teaching or other professional experience working with a wide range of student academic preparedness). Please upload all the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life." and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied, and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered, who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the University’s mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university.

Utah Tech employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must provide employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Utah Tech is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at hr@utahtech.edu or 435-652-7500.

For more information or contact information, please visit https://titleix.utahtech.edu/reporting-discrimination/.

For important information regarding academics, campus safety, student services, employment laws, and other regulatory requirements, visit Utah Tech University’s Right-to-Know https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ and Clery Act https://police.utahtech.edu/clery-act websites.

Highlights from Utah Tech's benefits package include:

• 14.2% retirement contribution, paid 100% by the employer (no match required), vested on day 1 of full-time employment;
• Regular undergraduate tuition waiver (paid at 100%) for employee, spouse, and unmarried dependent children to take courses at Utah Tech;
• Full medical, dental, and vision plans, with low employee-paid premiums, that begins on day 1 of full-time employment;
• Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts available;
• Employer-paid basic life insurance & disability insurance coverage from day 1 of full-time employment;
• Generous staff leave accruals, plus 12 paid holidays per calendar year.

Utah Tech University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.