Description
Francis Marion University and the Departments of Biology and Forestry invite applications for a joint tenure-track Faculty of Biology and Forestry. The successful candidate should be able to teach Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, and introductory courses in Biology, Environmental Science and/or Forestry. There is also opportunity to teach additional classes in the candidate’s area of expertise. We are seeking candidates who have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and research at a comprehensive liberal arts institution. Other responsibilities include: perform scholarly activities, including mentor undergraduate research projects; serve on department / university committees; provide academic advising for students; participate in additional professional services as needed. The position is a nine-month contract. Generous internal funding is available on a competitive basis to support travel, research, and undergraduate scholarships.
Francis Marion University has been recognized for its excellence in education by several national ranking agencies. US News and World Report named FMU as one of its top regional universities in the south for more than a decade. FMU was named as one of ‘The Chronicle’s Great Colleges to Work For’ the past 13 years.
Requirements
FMU Requirements: An earned doctorate in biology, forestry or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution. ABD candidates will be considered but must have completed their degree before their contract starts. Some demonstration of teaching at the undergraduate level is preferred.
Expected start date: August 16, 2027
The following application materials are required:
1. Letter of Interest (referencing position number 26-54).
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Teaching Statement expressing teaching experience and philosophy.
4. Research Statement describing research interests and long-term research objectives and how the work would involve undergraduate researchers.
5. Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate).
6. Names and contact information for at least three references.
7. FMU Faculty Application.
To obtain a Faculty Application please visit: https://www.fmarion.edu/job/tenure-track-faculty-of-biology-and-forestry-26-54/
Send Application Materials to:
Dr. Charlene Wages, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Francis Marion University
P.O. Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547. Or email to: hrassist@fmarion.edu, or FAX to: (843) 661-1202
Review of applications will begin on October 12th, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
About the Biology Department: The new faculty member would join a vibrant and collaborative department of 16 faculty who span a wide range of disciplines. We strive for academic excellence within our comprehensive programs using creative teaching, insightful research, and collaborative and impactful service. Faculty in the Biology and Forestry departments have established collaborations with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, and other state and regional partners, creating opportunities for undergraduate research, experiential learning, and research collaborations. To learn more about Francis Marion University’s Department of Biology, please visit: http://www.fmarion.edu/biology/. Any questions may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Jeff Steinmetz (jsteinmetz@fmarion.edu) (843) 661-1404.
About the Forestry Department: FMU is starting a new forestry program, that seeks to train a new generation of forestry professionals for the sustainable management of forests. The new program is being supported by a number of new faculty hires, a new building currently under construction, and the acquisition of the Duck Ponds Property, an 8355-acre tract along the Great Pee Dee River that will serve as a living laboratory for forestry, environmental science and biology faculty and students. To learn more about Francis Marion Unviersity’s Forestry Department, please visit: https://www.fmarion.edu/forestry. Any questions may be directed to the Forestry Department Chair, Dr. Andrew Londo (andrew.londo@fmarion.edu) (843) 661-1618.
About Francis Marion University: FMU is a state-assisted, regional university comprising over 9100 acres and serving approximately 4,300 students in Florence, SC. FMU is an adamant supporter of academic freedom. The institution takes a strong faculty governance approach with an active AAUP chapter. The campus is within easy driving distance of the state capital Columbia, as well as other areas of interest including Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Charlotte, Asheville, and Savannah. In addition to facilities on the main campus, FMU also owns the Freshwater Ecology Center (FEC), a research facility located 15 minutes from campus with 146 acres of mature hardwood forest and wetlands and a 20-acre lake; and Wildsumaco Biological Station, a field station on the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, one of several university International Study Centers. Other International Study Centers are located at Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University in Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany, with a focus on the environment, economics, and politics, and at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada, with a focus on environmental sciences and natural resource management.
About Florence: Florence, SC, the heart of the Pee Dee region, serves over a quarter million people in the larger metropolitan area. Over the past several years, Florence has experienced major revitalization and rebirth to the downtown area and FMU has been at the forefront of those efforts. In addition to the construction of two health science buildings in the downtown area, we are currently building a medical campus in collaboration with the University of South Carolina Medical School, McLeod Regional Medical Center, and MUSC Health Florence Medical Center. FMU has also contributed to making Florence a center for the arts and culture in the region with the Steven F. Gately Art Gallery and the FMU Performing Arts Center: home to the Florence Symphony Orchestra and hosting many high-profile musical and theatrical performances each year. To find more information about this growing and vibrant community, please visit: https://www.flochamber.com/about-flo/.
As Francis Marion University has continued to be recognized for its diverse student body, it especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.
Applicants honorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces, who meet the minimum training and experience requirements, are given employment preference by all State agencies and higher education institutions in SC.
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution
