Assistant Professor
Department of Forestry Mississippi State University
Faculty; Full-Time 9-Month tenure-track
Main Campus; Starkville, Mississippi
Position Function:
This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the Department of Forestry, College of Forest Resources, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Department of Forestry is one of three departments in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University. The faculty has diverse teaching, research, service, and extension/outreach expertise, in the specialties of forest biology and watershed management; forest economics, outdoor recreation, natural resource management, and policy; forest measurements, biometrics, and spatial technologies; and wood supply systems. The Department has two undergraduate degree programs, Forestry and Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation, accredited by the Society of American Foresters with ~180 undergraduate students and ~40 graduate students in both on-campus and Distance Education programs. The University’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest (+8,000-acre research and teaching forest), the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and the USDA Tombigbee National Forest are located in close proximity to the University and used for teaching, research, service, and extension/outreach activities. Mississippi State University is a Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) institution and a land grant university with a strong connection to the state-wide Extension Service. The University is located in Starkville, a medium-sized college town in northeast Mississippi (www.msstate.edu/web/about).
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Area of Specialization: Forest Business
Anticipated Appointment Date: August 16, 2020
Tenure Track Status: 9-month tenure-track position
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include participation in the Department’s teaching, research, and service activities. Teaching will include both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in forest business for on-campus and Distance Education programs. These courses will focus on topics related to timberland investment, timber procurement, forest operations, forest real estate management, and forest taxation across various spatial scales and forest stakeholder groups, including small-scale nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners and large-to medium-scale industrial clients and organizations (e.g., TIMOs and REITs). The incumbent will have opportunities to develop additional courses as well. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an extramurally funded research program in the specialized field of forest business covering the items listed above. Candidates with experience in working across diverse forest stakeholder types and understanding their forest asset management needs and constraints will be strongly considered. Service responsibilities will include participating in department, college, and university activities; developing strong mentoring programs for undergraduate and MS and Ph.D. graduate students; and interacting with constituents and professional and industry organizations.
Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. with a specialization in forest business, timberland investment, timber procurement, forest operations, forest real estate management, forest taxation, and/or closely related fields.
ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS): All but dissertation (ABD) applicants will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred candidates should have a strong record of scholarly publications, have the potential to secure extramural funding, and show demonstrated experience in teaching both traditional and Distance Education courses. At least one degree from an accredited professional forestry or natural resources-related program is preferred. Strong candidates will have an extensive background in timber procurement, forest consulting, timberland investment management at NIPF landowner and forest industry levels, timber and non-timber forest markets, market risk analysis, forest taxation, and financial decision making.
Instructions for Applying:
Screening of applicants will begin April 15, 2020 and will continue until a suitable applicant is found. Applications must be made through the Mississippi State University Employment opportunities website via the link http://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/ (PARF Number 499878). Applicants should also submit (in a single pdf) a letter of application, curriculum vita, copies of transcripts (for all degrees)(please redact social security number if it appears on transcript), a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and complete contact information for three professional references as attachments in submission of application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.