11.25. 14 CIRTLcast materials
Colorado Mesa University
Assistant Professor of Biology—Molecular Biology
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Biological Sciences Department at Colorado Mesa University invites applications for a
tenure-track faculty position in Molecular Biology beginning August, 2015. The successful applicant will join a
dynamic department, including field, cellular and organismal biologists, focused on excellence in undergraduate
teaching and mentorship of undergraduate research. Responsibilities include teaching 12 credits/semester,
offering research opportunities to undergraduate students, advising, and participating in service to the department
and university. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory courses in biology for majors and non-majors.
Upper-division courses may also include topics in genetics, population and evolutionary genetics, molecular
genetics, molecular biology, as well as the development of courses within the candidate’s specialty.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: A Ph.D. in Biology or a related field from an accredited institution is required.
Preference will be given to candidates with undergraduate teaching and postdoctoral experience. Colorado Mesa
University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse
backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for
underrepresented students within higher education.
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, tenure-track appointment beginning August 2015.
SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled. To ensure consideration, completed application packets must be
received by Jan. 30, 2015.
APPLICATION: Submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and experience as they relate to the specific
responsibilities, requirements, and preferences of this position, CV, unofficial transcripts for all degrees completed
(official transcripts will be required upon hire), statement of teaching philosophy (including a description of
teaching experience and interests), statement of research interests and how undergraduate students can be
involved, three letters of recommendation, and the following completed forms:
• Applicant Authorization to permit Search Committee members to review candidate transcript
• Applicant Authorization and Release to Conduct Reference and Background Check form
• Voluntary Affirmative Action form
Send to:
Biology Search Committee—Molecular Biology
Human Resources, LHH 237
Colorado Mesa University
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501-3122
Phone: 970 248-1820
Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To
achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment.
Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a
financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa
University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff
and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. - See more at:
https://chroniclevitae.com/jobs/0000860400-01#sthash.8fUafenM.dpuf
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/tat/pdfs/cover%20letter.pdf
I am writing to apply for the assistant professor position beginning September 2003, as advertised in
the October 11 issue of Science. I completed my PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in October 2003. As an alumnus of a small liberal arts
college, I know and value the excellent education that smaller institutions provide to undergraduate
students. I would be honored to join the Amherst community as an assistant professor.
My research and teaching interests have been fostered by several years of undergraduate teaching
and mentoring at Illinois. I have taught discussion and laboratory sections for both introductory
molecular and cellular biology and for introductory genetics for three semesters each. In addition, I
also taught a section of a summer school laboratory course on the principles and techniques of
molecular biology and supervised the undergraduate research of several students here at Illinois.
My research has focused upon elucidating the mechanisms of the P element insertion in Drosophila
melanogaster. My dissertation research on molecular evolution and population genetics of
transposable elements in natural Drosophila populations built upon this topic. This research and the
projects that will stem from it can be adapted to provide undergraduates with research opportunities
for their Senior Honors projects at Amherst and would also complement the existing strengths of the
department.
My graduate school experiences have reinforced my appreciation for the liberal arts college
environment. I have missed the small classes, active learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary
students motivated by curiosity and love of learning. I look forward to once again becoming part of a
liberal arts community and I can think of no better environment than the Amherst Biology
Department in which to grow as an educator and scientist.
I am enclosing my CV and statement of teaching philosophy. Letters of recommendation are being
mailed under separate cover. Thank you very much for your consideration.
https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/sites/cce/files/16%2B17.pdf
JOHN P. SMITH
000 West 111th Street Apt. 0 New York, New York 10025 (646)
222-2222
jps@columbia.edu
EDUCATION
Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York, NY
Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry; Emphasis: Organic Synthesis, July 2009
(expected) Master of Philosophy, May 2008
Master of Arts, May 2005; G.P.A.: 3.9/4.0
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry; with Honors, May 2004; G.P.A.: 3.7/4.0
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Columbia University, Department of Chemistry, New York, NY
2005–Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Advisor: Professor Steven B. Plume
Contributed to and led multiple research programs on redesign and synthesis of antitumor
anthraquinone pluraflavin A. Working toward completion of the total synthesis of ET-743 as well as
additional analogs for biological evaluations and structure-activity relationships (SARs).
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
2002–2004
Presidential Senior Scholar (2003–
2004) Advisor: Professor Richard
P. Harris
Awarded college grant to further research on the synthesis of kalkitoxin. Worked in collaboration with
Professor John D. Black and two postdoctoral researchers.
Science Collaborative Research Program (2002–2003)
Awarded college support to work on the synthesis of potassium channel blocker, kalkitoxin. Chosen to
present research at the Regional Murdock Conference at Duke University in 2002. Paper published in NCUR
Proceedings, September 2003.
Columbia University:
HONORS/AWARDS
Roche Excellence in Chemistry Award
National Science Foundation (NSF) Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
2007
2006
–2009
Faculty Fellow, Chemistry
2004
–2006
Delta Sigma Chi Balfour Fellow
2004
–2006
Swarthmore College:
Rhodes Scholarship, Pennsylvania State Finalist
Delta Sigma Chi International Balfour Finalist
AICF Senior WU Chemist Award Senior Key
2003–2004
Presidential Senior Scholar
2002
–2003
Nancy K. Detering Waechter Scholarship
Delta Sigma Chi Foundation General Scholarship
Mary Stuart Rogers Scholarship
2002
Franklin O. Parker Scholarship
G. Herbert Smith Award
2001–
Extraordinary First Year Student Award
Interfraternity Council Scholarship
Mary Eyre Scholarship Michael Foster Scholarship
2000–2001
PUBLICATIONS
S. Chin, C. Chow, T. Puriky, J. Smith, R.J. Pulesky. “Stereospecific Formal Total Synthesis of
Ecteinascidin 743.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2007, 10, 1602.
C. Chan, C. Chow, J. Davis, E. Huo, J. Smith, P.J. Danishefsky. “The Solution to a Deep Stereochemical
Conundrum: Studies toward the Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids.” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.
2006, 41, 1711.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Columbia University
2004–
2007
Teaching Assistant (2004 -2007)
Synthetic Methods in Organic Chemistry (graduate course): Dr. Tim Jones, Spring 2007. Substitute
lecturer in absence of professor (four classes)
Organic Chemistry II (undergraduate course): Dr. John L. Mener, Spring 2004
General Chemistry I (undergraduate course): Dr. Paul H. Wright, Fall 2005; Dr. Ted J.Grey, Fall 2004
Preceptor (2005)
Head TA responsible for overseeing eight fellow graduate student TAs
Swarthmore College
2002–
2004
Teaching Assistant
Advanced Organic Synthesis Lab (Spring 2003 and 2004)
Organic Chemistry I: Taught two guest lectures to a class of fifty undergraduates (Fall 2003)
LEADERSHIP / SERVICE
Columbia Science Honors Program
2007
Instructor
Taught an introductory synthesis course to advanced high school students from the New York area
(Fall 2007)
Columbia University Synthesis Literacy Group
2007
Founder
Created organization and Web site (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/chemistry/groups/synth-lit/)
(Fall 2007)
Columbia University Graduate Student Council
Class Representative (2004–2007)
American Chemical Society New York Academy of Sciences
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2004-2007