Department of Botany

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

Computational Evolutionary Biologist

The Department of Botany and newly formed School of Computing at the University of Wyoming are searching for a computational evolutionary biologist to be hired as part of a cluster hire  in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and data science. Through the hire in Advanced STEM Applications of AI/ML and Big Data we invite applications for a tenure-track faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in August 2023. The position will be held jointly between the School of Computing (tenure home) and the Department of Botany.

We seek a Computational Evolutionary Biologist who uses and develops AI/ML applications and high performance computing tools in the generation and analysis of biological data from any group of organisms (i.e., plants, animals, microbes, etc.) at any organizational scale (molecular, cellular, organismal, ecosystem, etc.). Scientists with expertise in population genomics, phylogenomics, or any area of Evolutionary Biology incorporating the generation and analysis of genomic data are especially encouraged to apply, but we will consider exceptional candidates applying AI/ML to evolutionary questions utilizing other data types as well. Competitive candidates will also show evidence of teaching effectiveness and grantsmanship, a strong publication record, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a research program that effectively incorporates students. Teaching would likely include upper-division and graduate courses in Computational Biology and/or Applied Bioinformatics, serving students from biomedical, physical, and agricultural sciences, as well as opportunities for the candidate to develop courses in their area(s) of expertise.

Potential candidates should visit the job description at https://eeik.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/223016/?utm_medium=jobshare for information on the desired qualifications and application details for this position. This search will remain open until the positions are filled. The candidate selection process will start on November 30^th, 2022. Questions should be directed either to the Department of Botany representative on the Search Committee, Dr. Catherine Wagner (catherine.wagner@uwyo.edu), or to the Search Committee Chair, Dr Bryan Shader (bshader@uwyo.edu).

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About the Department of Botany

The Department of Botany is an interdisciplinary, collaborative department focused on conducting innovative research, teaching and outreach on the patterns and processes of life. Our research spans diverse areas of the ecology and evolution of plants, animals, ecological and evolutionary theory, and statistical developments for the life sciences.

The Botany Department is unique at UW in our focus on fundamental research and teaching in biology and biodiversity at population, community, and ecosystem scales. Our faculty conducts basic and applied research relevant to the state, nation and globe. Such topics include ecological disturbance, invasive species, symbiosis, global climate change, ecohydrology, forestry, and conservation genetics. Within the department, we offer a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Botany, a B.S. in Biology, and our faculty participate in several interdisciplinary degree programs, including the PhD Program in Ecology and Evolution.

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About the School of Computing

The School of Computing is a new academic unit at the University of Wyoming that focuses on the application of computing in and across all disciplines, and on delivering new academic programs that provide students with important computing and digital skills across all disciplines including supporting Digital for All. The School will be fundamentally interdisciplinary, using translational research to leverage new and critical computing technologies for solving grand challenge problems in science and society. The School of Computing’s hiring plan over the next five years includes new tenure track faculty, many of whom will have joint appointments with other academic units. The School currently hosts some 33 Founding Adjunct Faculty from across the university, has in place an Internal Advisory Board representing over a dozen academic areas, and is preparing undergraduate degree programs in Computing, Data Science, and Applied Software Development. The School is currently recruiting several research scientists to support its research and strategic initiatives and will have programs for undergraduate and graduate computing students in addition to visiting scholars. 

The University of Wyoming is located in southeastern Wyoming, and provides easy access to abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as good connectivity with amenities of Colorado’s Front Range.