Artificial Intelligence in Biology

The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a 9-month, full time, tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin on August 16, 2025. We seek to hire a biologist who incorporates artificial intelligence into a research program that addresses fundamental questions in any area of biology.  The successful candidate will have a vision for an empirical biological research program in which at least one component substantively uses and/or develops artificial intelligence tools, including but not limited to machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, computer vision, or genetic algorithms.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology or related discipline, and at least one year of postdoctoral research experience in biology by the start date of employment.

The successful candidate will join either our graduate group in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology or our group in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (or both) and will be expected to establish an independent, extramurally funded research program relevant to biology.  The successful candidate also will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in biology and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

The USC Department of Biological Sciences is a multidisciplinary unit including 35 tenured/tenure-track faculty members representing a broad range of research areas. It includes more than 1,800 undergraduate majors and over 70 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Our department is complemented by strong research connections to the School of Earth, Ocean, & Environment, the Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, and the USC School of Medicine.  For more information about the Department, please visit our website here.

The department is located on the University of South Carolina’s main campus in Columbia.  The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated the University an institution with “very high research activity.” The University has over 35,000 students on the main campus, more than 300 academic programs, and the top Honors College in the United States. Columbia is the center of an increasingly sophisticated metropolitan area with a population of over 800,000, while still maintaining the natural environment through nearby state parks, forests, and Congaree National Park.

The University of South Carolina is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

How to Apply

All applicants must apply online at USC Jobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/174848. Applications must include (1) a curriculum vita, (2) a research statement (up to 3 pages), (3) a statement describing teaching experience and interests (up to 2 pages), and (4) the names and email addresses of at least three references.  Letters will be solicited after the initial review of applications by the search committee.  Review of applications will begin October 6, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled. Inquiries about the position may be directed to Dr. Jeff Dudycha (dudycha@biol.sc.edu), Search Committee Chair (put “AI Search” in the subject line).