Distinguished Professor - Marine Biology

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Professor of Marine Biology position. This is a nine-month, full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Professor with Tenure, beginning in August 2026. Candidates must be available to start at that time.

We seek individuals who have established outstanding research programs in any area of marine biology and who will actively contribute to departmental teaching and service. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in marine biology or a closely related discipline and currently be employed at the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure or above. Preference will be given to candidates who have achieved international prominence in their field and demonstrate an exceptional record of scholarly accomplishments, including publishing high-impact scientific research, securing extramural funding, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and engaging in other significant scholarly activities. Competitive candidates will also be expected to develop a 10-year strategic plan to implement synergistic and collaborative initiatives that enrich and strengthen the university's academic and community environment.

No Required Certifications or Licensure

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology supports an excellent undergraduate program, with an emphasis on hands-on involvement of undergraduates in research and other applied learning activities. We also have a Ph.D. in Integrative, Comparative and Marine Biology, and Master's programs in both Biology and Marine Biology. Research and education are supported by core facilities on campus and at the Center for Marine Science, located 6 miles from the main university campus. We have an active faculty involved in a variety of research areas including molecular biology and bioinformatics, microbiology, developmental biology, coastal and estuarine ecology, invertebrate and vertebrate biology, and environmental biology.

Modern Biology increasingly impacts the non-scientific world, facilitating solutions to technological, environmental, ethical, philosophical and political issues that are important to society. The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to train the next generation of scientists and educators and prepare all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles. The department provides an environment in which excellent teaching coupled with diverse research opportunities encourage our faculty to become leaders in their discipline.

Our teaching emphasizes current theories of biological science, knowledge of basic investigative skills, and methods of critical inquiry. Our research programs, in both applied and basic aspects of discovery, value investigations of biological phenomena that impact the quality of life in our region and beyond. We lend our professional expertise to all endeavors that work for the improvement of the human condition and our environment. We believe the importance of modern biological principles must transcend the university classroom and enable our students to contribute as global citizens. In the pursuit of excellence, our department actively fosters, encourages, and promotes mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

Excellent support for research is provided in unique departmental facilities on campus such as The Oriole Burevitch Large Animal Necropsy Facility and UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program as well as the Richard Dillaman Microscopy Facility. Resources at the Center for Marine Science ( CMS) include; DNA sequencing facility, mass spectrometry facility, nutrient analysis lab, high performance computing cluster, running seawater systems and wet labs, a marine operations facility that includes five shops (dive, oceanographic instrumentation with a 7,000 gallon seawater test tank, aquaculture, and boat repair), a dock and fleet of research vessels ranging in size from 13 ft. to our newly commissioned 73 ft. vessel to facilitate water-based research activities. The Marine Biotechnology Center, Algal Resources Collection, and Shellfish Research Hatchery are collocated with CMS and support additional interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The department has an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship and is committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. In the pursuit of excellence, our department actively fosters, encourages, and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. Additional information can be found through the Department's Science Access, Inclusion & Diversity webpage and through UNCW's Strategic Priorities and multicultural student success and community belonging efforts.

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Prior to the ocial appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on ocial transcripts and other documentation as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on January 5, 2026, the posting close date. To apply, please complete the online application process available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/37901 and attach the following materials as Adobe PDF documents. Note that submission of application without complete requested components will not meet the application requirements.

1) Cover Letter

2) Curriculum Vita

3) Statement of research (3-page maximum)
4) Statement of teaching philosophy (3-page maximum)

5) List of 3 Professional References. References will be requested during a later stage of the applicant screening process.

6) If needed, applicants may upload additional materials in the "Other" category

Please direct questions concerning the search to Dr. Steve Kinsey, search committee chair at ( kinseys@uncw.edu). For questions regarding the online application process, contact Kayleigh Garrett ( garrettk@uncw.edu).