Assistant Professors: Molecular Cell Biologists (1) Immunology and (2) Virology

Molecular Biologists

Title: Assistant Professors: Molecular Cell Biologists (1) Immunology and (2) Virology

Position Numbers: 0082921, 0086093T

Hiring Unit: College of Natural Sciences - School of Life Sciences

Location: Manoa

Date Posted: November 10, 2026

Closing Date: Application review begins December 10, 2026

Salary Information: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Monthly Type: 9 Month

Tenure Track: Tenure

Full/Part Time: Full time

Temp/Perm: Permanent

Funding: General Funds

Position Description

The School of Life Sciences (SoLS, https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lifesciences/), College of Natural Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa invites applications for two Assistant Professor positions (F-3). We seek two (2) individuals with outstanding records of research productivity: one with expertise in immunology and one with expertise in virology. Candidates whose research integrates these fields with molecular and cellular biology or microbiology are encouraged to apply. Applicants in closely related disciplines will also be considered. We welcome early-career applicants who are willing to leverage the unique research environments in Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific. Both positions are permanent, tenure-track, full-time, 9-month faculty appointments to begin August 1, 2027, subject to position clearance, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The successful candidates are expected to develop independent, extramurally-funded research programs to be based at SoLS laboratory facilities on the UH Manoa campus. The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (UHM) aspires to be a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and is a Carnegie Research 1 University with a strong emphasis on research, and on undergraduate and graduate education. Our vision is to be locally and globally recognized as a premier student-centered and community-serving university (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/strategicplan/). The School of Life Sciences hosts the largest academic program on the University of Hawai‘i’s flagship campus, serving over 1,500 undergraduate majors and 150 graduate students for degrees in biology, botany, marine biology, microbiology, molecular cell biology, and zoology. Research interests of the 30 faculty members span all biological scales, with many focusing on ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. The School of Life Sciences is committed to serving our community and state, and to excellence in research and teaching (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lifesciences/). The faculty candidates are expected to develop or update undergraduate course(s) in areas of Molecular Cell Biology and Microbiology especially focused on immunology and/or virology which are central components of the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and Microbiology undergraduate programs. The faculty are also expected to be actively involved in supporting combined bachelor's and master's degree programs (BAMs), with opportunities to collaborate between SoLS, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), and UH Cancer Center where the research aligns. The faculty will also be expected to contribute to teaching and mentoring graduate students, as well as serving on thesis committees in one of the SoLS graduate programs: Zoology, Microbiology, Botany, or Marine Biology.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidates should have research experience in any area of immunology and/or virology, including but not limited to computational, ecological, evolutionary, or mechanistic approaches to understanding immunological or viral interactions of vertebrate hosts, pathogens and the environment.

Position duties include:

• Develop and sustain an innovative, externally-funded research program
• Mentor and advise graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Life Sciences
• Provide high-quality teaching in support of the Molecular Cell Biology B.S. and Microbiology B.S. and B.A. degree programs
• Develop and teach graduate courses in their area of expertise that directly contribute to one or more of the graduate degrees offered by the School of Life Sciences
• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees as appropriate; render service to the professional and local/regional community that is relevant to the individual’s academic specialty.
• In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to develop research collaborations supporting UHM institutional initiatives such as place-specific health sciences, the NIH Centers of Biological Research Excellence (COBRE) in Diabetes, the ICEMHH (Microbiome) COBRE, and artificial intelligence approaches to immunology and virology research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral-level degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Immunology, or a closely related biological discipline from an accredited college or university.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral research, or equivalent experience, at the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated research productivity in immunology, virology, or related fields of molecular cell biology, as evidenced by a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to effectively teach, mentor, and supervise diverse undergraduate and graduate students in lecture and laboratory courses (e.g., immunology, human/animal virology, disease ecology, or capstone courses).
• Demonstrated ability or potential to develop an active, externally funded research program.
• Vision for a research program that leverages Hawai?i’s unique geographic location, resources, and collaborative opportunities within the School of Life Sciences, UH units, and external state/federal agencies.
• Commitment to supporting the core principles of the School of Life Sciences, including inclusiveness, personal and professional integrity, and excellence in research and instruction.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate within a multicultural campus environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Evidence of external research funding in immunology, virology or closely related field
• Demonstrated experience and excellence in instruction of undergraduate and graduate student courses in the life sciences, with an emphasis on immunology and virology
• Experience working with diverse student and community populations
• A plan for establishing research in tropical, Pacific Island, or Hawaiian systems

To Apply

Applicants should submit:

1. a cover letter in which you identify the position to which you are applying and indicate how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications;
2. a curriculum vitae (up to 5 pages);
3. a statement of research interests, activities, and plans (up to 3 pages in length);
4. a statement of teaching philosophy, interests, and plans (up to 2 pages);
5. copies of up to three relevant publications; and
6. names and contact information (including email addresses and telephone numbers) for three professional references.

Official transcripts with proof of degree conferred will be required upon hire.

Inquires: Stephanie Kraft-Terry, kraft2@hawaii.edu