Assistant Professor of Conservation Biology-Tenure Track

The School of Natural Resource and Environment at Lake Superior State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor in the field of Conservation Biology, with expertise in Forest Conservation, Land Management, Landscape Ecology, or Wildlife Conservation starting in August 2021. Responsibilities include teaching 12 contract hours of core courses in the Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, and Fisheries and Wildlife Management degree programs each semester (e.g., Fundamentals of Natural Resources, Conservation Biology, Restoration Ecology, Principles of Forest Conservation, Land Management for Recreation, undergraduate research seminars). These are a combination of upper and lower level courses and enrollment for each is generally 12-45 students. The successful candidate will be expected to take a leadership role in continuing to develop the Conservation Biology program and expanding human dimensions offerings, either by new SNRE courses, or in concert with social and political science faculty at LSSU. In addition, the ideal candidate will take an interdisciplinary approach that links ecosystem studies with existing program strengths in natural sciences.

We seek a colleague whose research and classroom teaching employ field- and lab-based methodologies. Complementary modeling or other quantitative techniques (e.g. remote sensing, data analytical approaches) are also desired. The successful candidate will provide strong synergies with current LSSU faculty working in Earth Systems Science, Fisheries and Wildlife Management, GIS, and remote sensing.

LSSU is a small (<2,500 undergraduate students) state university located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The campus sits on the St. Marys River, the sole outflow of Lake Superior, and provides numerous educational, professional, and research opportunities in the surrounding Great Lakes, the extensive tracts of state, provincial, and national, forest lands, and LSSU’s Hunt Creek Field Station near Gaylord, Michigan.  LSSU is currently constructing the Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE; www.lssu.edu/cfre) all along the shores of the St. Marys River, to be completed in 2021.  CFRE will build upon the successes of the CFRE Fish Hatchery (https://www.lssu.edu/cfre/hatchery/), provide expanded research facilities including an analytical lab and experimental mesocosms, and house a Great Lakes visitor’s center and discovery center for K-12 education.

The SNRE provides exceptional lab facilities, specimens, and a range of well-maintained lab and field equipment for education and research in conservation biology. This position will play a key role in contributing to the growth of SNRE by establishing and growing interactions and cooperative ventures with state, local, federal, tribal, and international agencies and NGOs.

Success of SNRE students stems from extensive interaction with faculty during hands-on labs, student research, and active student organizations. Students are required to complete senior thesis research and they are encouraged to present their research at regional, national, and international scientific conferences. Faculty also work closely in advising student clubs, including an enthusiastic chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to university service, including advising students and serving on university committees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Twelve contract hours of instruction and other assigned responsibilities per semester.

2) Provide a minimum of five hours devoted to office hours for the purpose of student support.

3) Participation in professional and scholarly activities, including but not limited to applied research with undergraduates and dissemination of knowledge through publication, community, or faculty presentations.  Equally important to the specific field of work, we seek a colleague who will thoughtfully craft their scholarly efforts to contribute to the intellectual vibrancy and sense of community among our students, college, and university. 

4) Safely conduct and supervise laboratory procedures and experiments.

5) Advising and recruitment of students.

6) Course and program assessment.

7) University/community service.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in conservation biology, restoration ecology, environmental science/studies, forestry, or a related field engaged with scholarship at the nexus of human-environment relationships is required. Applicants may be ABD but must have a Ph.D. by the appointment start date.

Ability to teach undergraduate students through field, classroom, laboratory, and/or online settings that engage modern pedagogy.

Ability to work collaboratively and productively with stakeholders and outside partners.

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in conducting research in an interdisciplinary context to address complex social-ecological issues confronting wildlife and natural resource management.

Experience teaching at the undergraduate level, including lecture, laboratory and/or online delivery.

Use quantitative geospatial analysis techniques to predict effects of planned or natural changes in ecological systems.

Promote and implement an integrated training program to teach basic skills in geospatial and ecological modeling and analysis.