Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Wisconsin
Assistant Or Associate Professor jobs in Wisconsin concentrate in higher education, research institutions, and healthcare professional training programs, with the University of Wisconsin System, Marquette University, and the Medical College of Wisconsin among the most established employers in the state. Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay anchor the largest share of openings, reflecting the density of research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges in those metros. Demand is strongest in STEM disciplines, nursing and health sciences, and business education, where faculty pipelines remain competitive. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Assistant Or Associate Professor jobs
Current employees: if you are currently employed at any of the universities of wisconsin, log in to workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job category:
FacultyEmployment type:
RegularJob profile:
ProfessorJob summary:
The Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for an open rank faculty position in Systems and Synthetic Biology. While applications from all areas of Microbiology will be considered, the department is particularly interested in candidates who seek to advance quantitative and predictive understanding of biological systems, including experimental, computational, and engineering approaches that uncover fundamental principles and, in some cases, enable the design and control of biological function. We welcome research that connects molecular mechanisms to cellular and higher-order biological function across multiple scales. This hire will support ongoing teaching needs and may develop new courses in quantitative microbiology, systems & synthetic microbiology, and/or microbiome engineering.
The successful candidate will join a strong and collaborative department with broad and complementary strengths across microbial sciences. Current research areas include microbial metabolism, molecular mechanisms of regulation, natural products chemistry, computational approaches to microbiological ecosystems, and the bioeconomy. The department fosters a highly interactive environment, with a culture of collaboration and intellectual exchange that supports interdisciplinary research and innovation. The Department of Bacteriology has an excellent infrastructure for support of new faculty in the Synthetic Biology area with staff scientists in Biocomputing and the Microbial Natural Products Discovery Hub. UW-Madison is a top-ranked research institution that provides a world-class environment to develop an outstanding research program by affording excellent facilities and a vibrant place to learn and teach. The City of Madison and its surrounding communities are ranked among the best places to live in the country, with a wide range of social, cultural, and outdoor activities, and career opportunities for family members.
Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background and research experience in microbiology, microbial natural product chemistry, synthetic biology, biotechnology, computational microbiology or related fields. The successful candidates will lead innovative research programs aimed at predictive modeling and engineering of biological networks, mechanisms of adaptation and stress response, or multiscale interactions in complex biological systems. Teaching loads and responsibilities will include graduate and undergraduate courses aligned with department and college expectations.
Key job responsibilities:
- Developing and directing a well-recognized and extramurally funded research program;
- Teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses and contributing to curriculum updates and innovations to educate a diverse student body;
- Mentoring graduate students and supervising their research;
- Participating in departmental and university faculty governance;
- Contributing to professional and public service, and participating in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with other departments, schools, and colleges.
Department:
Department of Bacteriology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (https://bact.wisc.edu/)
Compensation:
Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)
Required qualifications:
The successful candidate will have an excellent academic record, a vision for an innovative and impactful research program, the skills to implement it, and a commitment to high quality and inclusive undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring.
We encourage applicants of any rank. At the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, the candidate's qualifications must be sufficient to meet the requirements for tenure in the Department of Bacteriology, in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Preferred qualifications:
Education:
Required by start date: PhD in microbiology, synthetic biology, biological computation, or related fields, with additional research training and expertise relevant to the goals of the position.
Additional Information:
This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.
Through the RISE initiative, UW-Madison is increasing hiring 150 new RISE faculty. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/
RISE-THRIVE, which stands for Transforming Healthspan through Research, InnoVation, and Education, will “harness and grow the university’s reputation as a global powerhouse in interdisciplinary health research”. RISE-EARTH, which stands for Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity, will strengthen the university's ability to address challenges and opportunities related to the environment, translating discoveries into tangible benefits in Wisconsin and beyond.
How to apply:
This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with a companion posting in another department [JR#10012489]. Having two job postings allows candidates to select the department of primary interest and allows the College to consider candidates in both departments simultaneously. Applicants may apply to either, or both, positions.
Applicants will be asked to upload a single .pdf file comprising of a cover letter, a 2-page statement of research, a 1-page teaching interests, and a curriculum vitae. Applicants must also provide the contact information for three references within the application.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is October 1st, 2026; however, positions may remain open and applications may be considered until all positions are filled.
Contact information:
Katrina Forest - Department Chair
forest@bact.wisc.edu
(608) 265-3566
Institutional statement on diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
Current employees: if you are currently employed at any of the universities of wisconsin, log in to workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job category:
FacultyEmployment type:
RegularJob profile:
ProfessorJob summary:
The Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for an open rank faculty position in Systems and Synthetic Biology. While applications from all areas of Microbiology will be considered, the department is particularly interested in candidates who seek to advance quantitative and predictive understanding of biological systems, including experimental, computational, and engineering approaches that uncover fundamental principles and, in some cases, enable the design and control of biological function. We welcome research that connects molecular mechanisms to cellular and higher-order biological function across multiple scales. This hire will support ongoing teaching needs and may develop new courses in quantitative microbiology, systems & synthetic microbiology, and/or microbiome engineering.
The successful candidate will join a strong and collaborative department with broad and complementary strengths across microbial sciences. Current research areas include microbial metabolism, molecular mechanisms of regulation, natural products chemistry, computational approaches to microbiological ecosystems, and the bioeconomy. The department fosters a highly interactive environment, with a culture of collaboration and intellectual exchange that supports interdisciplinary research and innovation. The Department of Bacteriology has an excellent infrastructure for support of new faculty in the Synthetic Biology area with staff scientists in Biocomputing and the Microbial Natural Products Discovery Hub. UW-Madison is a top-ranked research institution that provides a world-class environment to develop an outstanding research program by affording excellent facilities and a vibrant place to learn and teach. The City of Madison and its surrounding communities are ranked among the best places to live in the country, with a wide range of social, cultural, and outdoor activities, and career opportunities for family members.
Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background and research experience in microbiology, microbial natural product chemistry, synthetic biology, biotechnology, computational microbiology or related fields. The successful candidates will lead innovative research programs aimed at predictive modeling and engineering of biological networks, mechanisms of adaptation and stress response, or multiscale interactions in complex biological systems. Teaching loads and responsibilities will include graduate and undergraduate courses aligned with department and college expectations.
Key job responsibilities:
- Developing and directing a well-recognized and extramurally funded research program;
- Teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses and contributing to curriculum updates and innovations to educate a diverse student body;
- Mentoring graduate students and supervising their research;
- Participating in departmental and university faculty governance;
- Contributing to professional and public service, and participating in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with other departments, schools, and colleges.
Department:
Department of Bacteriology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (https://bact.wisc.edu/)
Compensation:
Negotiable
ACADEMIC (9 months)
Required qualifications:
The successful candidate will have an excellent academic record, a vision for an innovative and impactful research program, the skills to implement it, and a commitment to high quality and inclusive undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring.
We encourage applicants of any rank. At the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, the candidate's qualifications must be sufficient to meet the requirements for tenure in the Department of Bacteriology, in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Preferred qualifications:
Education:
Required by start date: PhD in microbiology, synthetic biology, biological computation, or related fields, with additional research training and expertise relevant to the goals of the position.
Additional Information:
This position is part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased student and educational opportunities, RISE addresses complex societal challenges of importance to the state, nation and world. Building on UW-Madison's strengths, RISE expands the University's successful track record of connecting with communities and industry on collaborative solutions.
Through the RISE initiative, UW-Madison is increasing hiring 150 new RISE faculty. Candidates hired through RISE will join a community of scholars working across disciplines, schools and colleges on research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The community will engage regularly in venues such as seminar series and colloquia to share ongoing projects and identify opportunities to work together. The University will support the community, facilitating access to research infrastructure, and funding to support broad and rich collaboration. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/
RISE-THRIVE, which stands for Transforming Healthspan through Research, InnoVation, and Education, will “harness and grow the university’s reputation as a global powerhouse in interdisciplinary health research”. RISE-EARTH, which stands for Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology, and Humanity, will strengthen the university's ability to address challenges and opportunities related to the environment, translating discoveries into tangible benefits in Wisconsin and beyond.
How to apply:
This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with a companion posting in another department [JR#10012489]. Having two job postings allows candidates to select the department of primary interest and allows the College to consider candidates in both departments simultaneously. Applicants may apply to either, or both, positions.
Applicants will be asked to upload a single .pdf file comprising of a cover letter, a 2-page statement of research, a 1-page teaching interests, and a curriculum vitae. Applicants must also provide the contact information for three references within the application.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is October 1st, 2026; however, positions may remain open and applications may be considered until all positions are filled.
Contact information:
Katrina Forest - Department Chair
forest@bact.wisc.edu
(608) 265-3566
Institutional statement on diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
See All 13 Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Wisconsin
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Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Or Associate Professor Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant or associate professor jobs across Wisconsin.
- Terminal degree such as a PhD or MFA in the relevant discipline required
- Active or pending Wisconsin credential where the field requires professional licensure
- Demonstrated record of scholarly research, publication, or creative achievement in specialty
- Prior teaching experience at the postsecondary level, including graduate teaching assistantships
- Ability to contribute to curriculum development and departmental service commitments
- Evidence of external grant pursuit or interdisciplinary collaboration in the academic community
Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant or associate professor in Wisconsin?
Earning a terminal degree, typically a PhD or MFA, in your discipline is the foundational requirement for assistant or associate professor positions in Wisconsin. Candidates in professional fields such as nursing or social work may also need an active Wisconsin state license issued through the relevant credentialing board before teaching in those programs. Most Wisconsin institutions expect a portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, teaching evaluations, and a research or teaching statement submitted with the application.
Which companies hire assistant or associate professors in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin assistant or associate professor roles are posted by Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Wisconsin's dense network of public universities, private liberal arts colleges, and academic medical centers means openings appear across institution types and sizes throughout the state.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most assistant or associate professor jobs?
Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay lead Wisconsin for assistant or associate professor openings. Madison dominates due to the flagship University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and surrounding research infrastructure, while Milwaukee draws hiring from Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Smaller cities like Green Bay and Oshkosh reflect the statewide footprint of the UW System's comprehensive campuses.
Are there remote assistant or associate professor jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because most faculty roles carry on-campus teaching, lab, or clinical supervision responsibilities. About 0% of assistant or associate professor openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with online program faculty and continuing education roles being the most likely to offer fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a assistant or associate professor in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting assistant professor appointment at a Wisconsin institution while building a publication record. The University of Wisconsin System campuses, Marquette University, and Wisconsin's private liberal arts colleges regularly hire visiting faculty and lecturers as a pipeline into tenure-track roles. Adjunct teaching positions at Madison College or Milwaukee Area Technical College can also establish local teaching credentials, and candidates in health sciences benefit significantly from holding an active Wisconsin professional license before applying.
Where can I find and apply to assistant or associate professor jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to assistant or associate professor jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions and employers across the state. Search the listings to identify roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 13 Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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