Assistant Professor of Sustainable Forest Operations in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech.
The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor in the area of sustainable forest operations. Forests are recognized increasingly as a primary source of sustainable materials for a wide variety of products critical to the needs of society. Utilization of these materials requires careful, technologically up-to-date and science-based forest operations for their provision, while simultaneously protecting the many values forests provide.
The department values diversity and continually strives to maintain and promote an inclusive learning and research environment that embraces all students, faculty, and staff. We encourage applications from persons identifying with groups currently underrepresented in forest resources and environmental conservation, including but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and underrepresented genders.
Our expectation is that the successful candidate will build an outstanding and recognized research program in sustainable forest operations and have a passion to instruct and mentor students pursuing studies in the field. The focus of research may include: forest operations, forest resource harvesting, safety, transportation and logistics, and roads and environmental impacts. The selected candidate will complement current departmental strengths in forest soils, watersheds and wetlands, silviculture, forest management and business, and geospatial analysis.
This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching (50%) and research (50%). The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the area of sustainable forest operations, that may include forest harvesting and sustainable forest product supply chain courses. Advising and mentoring of both graduate and undergraduate students is required. Participation in departmental, college, and university affairs is expected.
Required Qualifications
• Ph.D. in forestry, forest operations, or related field with dissertation focus on sustainable forest operations by the time of appointment
• Demonstrated actions to create or contribute to a diverse, equitable and inclusive community
• Demonstrated ability and interest in developing and teaching lecture, lab, or field-based courses in sustainable forest operations
• Demonstrated ability and interest to collaborate in research with state or federal agencies, foreign governments, NGOs, private industry, or some combination of these groups
• Demonstrated potential to attract research funding adequate to support an active research program, including graduate students
• Demonstrated ability and desire to contribute to the peer-reviewed literature
Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness at the university level
• Demonstrated record of research and/or teaching and/or mentoring addressing needs of under-represented communities, including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, immigrants, and underrepresented genders
• Postdoctoral research experience
• Experience advising and directing the research of undergraduate and/or graduate students
• Research competencies that complement existing program strengths
• Teaching competencies related to sustainable forest operations, including, but not limited to: timber harvesting; forest product supply chain; forest roads and boundaries
• Experience and/or educational background that supports a broad undergraduate and graduate forestry curriculum
Application Process
Candidates must apply online at https://jobs.vtedu/ Search for job posting 520072.
Application materials should include the following information:
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter expressing a statement of interest in the position
- Statement of teaching experience, philosophy and interests
- Statement of experiences and interests in the field of Forest Operations
- Names, titles, and complete contact information for three references
Questions and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Scott Barrett, sbarrett@vt.edu , chair of the search committee.
Equal opportunity/affirmative action statement
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.