See the full position announcement here
Position Overview
• Distribution of Effort: 40% Research 60% Teaching
• Position Track: Tenure Track
Position Location Columbus, Ohio
Position Description
The successful candidate will develop a research and teaching program with an emphasis on forest ecology and silviculture. This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track teaching/research position at the Assistant Professor level in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR). The appointment split between 60% Teaching and 40% Research.
Our aim is to recruit, support and retain a scholar that will broaden the scope of forest ecology and silvicultural research within our School and University. They should also be able to contribute to teaching fundamental processes and management systems within managed forests. To that end the successful candidate will be expected to initially teach current courses in the Forestry curriculum, including dendrology, forest ecology and silviculture, and eventually develop graduate courses in their area of expertise. Additional responsibilities will include research, mentoring graduate students, advising undergraduate students, and service activities. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized, extramurally funded research program.
The School of Environment and Natural Resources is committed to addressing the lack of gender, racial and ethnic diversity in forestry and natural resources. As a result, we are particularly interested in applications from individuals with diverse life experiences, those who are currently under-represented within the forest ecology discipline and profession, and people whose research demonstrates evidence of engaged, field-based scholarship with diverse forest restoration stakeholders.
Performance Objectives
1. Developing and contributing to required courses in our two Society of American Foresters accredited forestry curriculums. Collaborating with forestry, fisheries, and wildlife faculty and staff colleagues to identify strategically relevant graduate and undergraduate courses to meet increased enrollment and expand course offerings. The ability and desire to teach courses related to forest ecology such as Silvics, Silviculture, and advanced courses in Successional Dynamics of Forests are important factors in candidate consideration.
2. Developing an independent research program in forest ecology and silviculture that includes a strong graduate student component.
3. Presenting research results at national and international meetings, securing extramural funding, and producing impactful publications.
4. Advising graduate and undergraduate students, including honors students.
5. Contributing to increasing access and opportunity and to enhancing diversity and inclusion within SENR.
6. Working collaboratively with university faculty and staff, OSU extension educators, government agencies, non-government organizations, and citizen groups to advance the land grant mission of the college and university.
7. Serving SENR, the college, university and professional communities through committee work and other appropriate responsibilities and activities.
8. Develop a leadership role in research development and management of school and college forest properties.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required:
• Ph.D. in Silviculture, Forest Ecology, Forest Ecophysiology or closely related field, and at least one degree (BS or MS) in forestry or closely related field.
• Expertise conducting basic and applied forest ecology and/or silvicultural research with strengths in fieldwork and quantitative analysis.
• Experience or training relevant to teaching fundamental forest management concepts including silvicultural systems.
• Evidence of potential for excellence in teaching and research.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to seek and secure extramural funding to support research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a willingness and ability to work closely with other people.
• Demonstrable interest in and/or experience of teaching, recruiting, mentoring, and advising diverse underserved students, including women, students of color and non-traditional students.
• Preferred qualifications include experience integrating research, and teaching, and experience or demonstrated interest in working with natural and social scientists on interdisciplinary research teams.
The incumbent will become an integral component of the SENR Forest Science and Ecological Restoration graduate specialization groups (https://senr.osu.edu/graduate/prospective-graduate-students/specializations). They will be expected to contribute to SENR’s research, teaching and advising programs. The successful candidate should complement current strengths in forest, environmental and ecological sciences and be able to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. They will be expected to apply for external research grants, support OSU extension colleagues, advise graduate students, and be committed to undergraduate education. We particularly welcome applicants who are enthusiastic about assisting to develop initiatives that widen participation in our graduate and undergraduate forestry and restoration specializations.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday [https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/OSUCareers]using search code R114970. Application materials must include:
Required:
❑ Cover letter
o Describe your qualifications, areas of expertise, career goals, and alignment with our desired qualifications, and specific expectations and responsibilities
❑ Curriculum Vita (CV)
❑ Statement of research interests (max two pages)
❑ Statement of teaching and outreach/extension experience and philosophy (max two pages)
❑ Statement of efforts to enhance diversity, inclusion, justice and/or equity in academic settings or more broadly in the environment and natural resource fields (max two pages)
o Describe your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing our efforts in these areas if hired as a SENR faculty member.
❑Names of three references.
Initial consideration will be given to applications received by November 15, 2024. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. We welcome informal inquiries, which can be made by contacting Search Committee Co-Chairs Sayeed Mehmood (mehmood.9@osu.edu) or Roger Williams (williams.1577@osu.edu).