FOREST ECOLOGY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY POSITION: The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is seeking applications and nominations for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in forest ecology. The Department is interdisciplinary and has an applied emphasis, with programs of emphasis in forest ecology and management, forest fire science, watershed science and management, rangeland ecology and management, resource policy and planning, and geospatial sciences. We seek a broadly trained individual who will provide leadership across the university’s Land Grant mission of education, research, and stakeholder outreach and engagement. Applications from those interested in the ecology of western forest ecosystems are especially encouraged. We can envision that individuals with interest and expertise in areas such as community ecology, biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, and/or landscape ecology of forested environments would complement the existing faculty expertise and interests in our department and the Warner College of Natural Resources. We seek someone who will develop a nationally- recognized, innovative, independent, and extramurally-funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students. The candidate will be expected to exhibit leadership in, and passion for, undergraduate and graduate teaching, student mentoring, and curriculum development in the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department. Applicants should clearly demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the department, college, and the university.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION The composition, structure, and function of forest plant communities provide a broad range of ecosystem services benefitting human and non-human communities, such as biological diversity, carbon sequestration, clean air and water, diversified economic opportunities, recreation, wildlife habitat, and wood products. Past and current management practices, changing climate, and growing human population demands are affecting forest plant communities and ecosystems in novel ways. Understanding these changes represents a frontier of ecological science and provides the foundation for forest science education and management practices. Of special concern is the restoration and resilience of western US forests, as large-scale climate-induced disturbances are resulting in changes in forest composition, structure, and functioning at multiple spatial scales. The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Colorado State University is an interdisciplinary academic program uniquely poised to advance education, research, and outreach in forest ecology. Existing programs within the Warner College, including the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute and the Colorado State Forest Service, and Natural Resource Ecology Lab, provide a foundation for research, education and outreach in this field. Linkages across department and colleges, and with federal and state forest managers and research centers form a broader interdisciplinary foundation for increased impact. Strong relationships and partnerships with local, state and federal agencies provide significant leveraged applied research opportunities for the successful candidate. We expect that the successful candidate will provide our students with ample opportunities to become future leaders in the stewardship of natural resources. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an extramurally funded and innovative research program (50%) focused on developing new understandings of forested ecosystems, with a portion of the program devoted to western US forest ecosystems. Teaching responsibilities (40%) include lead instruction of F311 Forest Ecology, a fundamental course in the undergraduate Forestry curriculum and across the Warner College of Natural Resources, co-teaching an interdisciplinary undergraduate course in natural resource stewardship, and lead instruction of a graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise. Service and Outreach efforts (10%) will entail service to the department, college, and university, to academic peers, and to professional ecosystem managers. QUALIFICATIONS Required: (1) Earned Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology or closely related field by the time of appointment. (2) Demonstrated expertise in the ecology of forested environments. Preferred: (1) Demonstrated potential to develop a superior research program advancing new knowledge about forest ecology that includes an emphasis on western U.S. forests. (2) Demonstrated potential to develop and sustain extra-mural research funding. (3) Demonstrated potential to sustain an excellent publication record. (4) Demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring effectiveness for undergraduate and graduate students. (5) Demonstrated potential to successfully engage in outreach to managers, landowners, and other relevant stakeholders. (6) Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion. SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. POSITION AVAILABLE: August 2016 APPLICATION PROCEDURE To apply, submit application material (cover letter, C.V., statements of research, outreach, & teaching interests, contact information for three referees, transcripts and up to three representative publications) on-line to https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/29891 by February 8, 2016, for full consideration. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. After notifying semifinalist candidates, application materials of the semifinalists, including letters of reference, will be made available for review by the faculty of the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Questions concerning position contact: Tony Cheng, Search Committee Chair: [email protected] or +1 (970) 491-1900 DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITY The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is interdisciplinary with programs of emphasis in forestry, fire science, fire management, natural resource policy/planning, rangeland ecology, and restoration ecology. The Department’s faculty support the Warner College of Natural Resources and the University in fulfilling the Land Grant Mission in these programmatic areas. The Department offers undergraduate majors in Forestry, Rangeland Ecology, and Natural Resources Management in addition to master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. The successful candidate will also be eligible to advise graduate students in the University-wide Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (http://www.ecology.colostate.edu). Faculty in the Department take advantage of great opportunities for collaboration across campus with faculty in a wide variety of programs, colleges and departments. Additional information about the department can be accessed at http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/frs-home. The city of Fort Collins is situated along the beautiful Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to CSU, major employers in the community are Hewlett-Packard, LSI Logic, Intel, Agilent Technologies, Advanced Energy, Kodak, Anheuser-Busch, and Poudre Valley Hospital. Numerous state and federal research agencies in Fort Collins contribute to the intellectual environment of the university and provide the successful candidate additional local collaborators. These include the Colorado State Forest Service, US Forest Service – Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Forest Service – Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest/Pawnee National Grasslands, National Wildlife Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Park Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The University of Colorado in Boulder, Northern Colorado University in Greeley, University of Denver, and the University of Wyoming in Laramie, are all within a one-hour drive. In addition to the many and varied cultural activities sponsored by the University, the community offers a center for performing arts, a symphony orchestra, repertory theater, choral society, and dance company. The city operates numerous indoor and outdoor pools, several ice rinks, five public golf courses, and sponsors a wide variety of leisure-time activities. Rocky Mountain National Park, Pawnee National Grasslands and Roosevelt National Forest are within 30 miles of Fort Collins. Finally, Fort Collins is consistently identified as one of the best cities in the US to live in by various national media. Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. Colorado State University (CSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
