Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology with an emphasis in Urban Systems
Position: The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship (FRS) in the Warner College of Natural
Resources at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking applications for an Assistant Professor specializing in
forest ecology with experience and/or strong interest in urban environments. This is a 9-month, full-time
tenure track faculty position. Applicants without experience working in urban systems but who can
communicate a clear vision for how their research program would meet challenges unique to the urban
environment are also encouraged to apply. We seek scholars that can co-produce knowledge with local
stakeholders and complement the existing faculty in the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship department. We
expect the incumbent will develop an internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program
involving graduate and undergraduate students. The successful candidate will exhibit leadership in, and
passion for, undergraduate and graduate teaching, student mentoring, and curriculum development in the
Forest and Rangeland Stewardship department, as well as interacting with stakeholders as part of the
extension and engagement portion of this position. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a commitment
to diversity and inclusion across their teaching, research, and outreach activities.
Setting: The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is an
interdisciplinary academic program uniquely poised to advance education, research and outreach in forest and
rangeland ecosystems. Existing programs of emphasis in the department include forest and rangeland ecology,
natural resource management, fire science, vegetation measurement and biometry, policy and planning,
community-based and Indigenous natural resource stewardship, and restoration ecology. The Department of
Forest and Rangeland Stewardship is housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources, which is home to
five academic departments and several centers and institutes such as the Colorado Forest Restoration
Institute, the Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, the Center for Environmental
Management of Military Lands, and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. These programs, institutes and
centers provide a foundation for research, education, and outreach. Linkages across departments and colleges,
the new CSU Spur campus in Denver, and with federal, state, and tribal land managers and research centers,
form a broader interdisciplinary foundation for increased impact. Strong relationships and partnerships with
local, municipal, state, and federal agencies foster significant applied research opportunities for the successful
candidates.
Context: The current human population has impacted all ecosystems upon which we rely, from unmanaged
wilderness areas to urban greenspaces. Despite a growing understanding of the effects of humans on
ecosystem structure and function, there is still much to learn about the human impact on forest ecosystems,
especially in areas with higher population density. The recent global pandemic has heightened awareness of
the importance of these spaces for human well-being with growing recognition of the challenges and
opportunities around climate adaptation and mitigation. A better understanding of forest ecology spanning
the gradient of human dominated systems including urban areas will address these challenges and lead to
innovative management strategies. We seek a scholar who will grow our department expertise in ecology and
natural resource management into the urban environment and who is eager to work with stakeholders to
improve management of these systems to benefit humans and improve ecosystem resiliency.
Major Duties and Responsibilities: The position will entail 35% Research; 35% Teaching; 20% Extension and
Engagement; and 10% Service. We seek someone who will develop a successful, innovative, and extramurally
funded research program involving graduate and undergraduate students. The successful candidate will work
with diverse stakeholders potentially including federal, state, and local agencies, municipalities, tribes, NGOs,
private landowners and organizations, and CSU Extension to identify research needs, co-produce and deliver
impactful new research to practitioners and landowners. Additionally, the incumbent will contribute to
undergraduate teaching and curriculum development, including an undergraduate forest ecology course and
an upper-division course that contributes to an interdisciplinary program in urban and community forestry.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Completed PhD in forestry, forest ecology, urban forestry, biology, geography, or other natural
resource-related field by the time of appointment. - Demonstrated research expertise in the ecology of forests and/or urban systems.
Preferred: - Evidence of potential to develop an externally funded research program advancing new knowledge
of forest ecology in urban environments. - Demonstrated potential to sustain an excellent publication record.
- Evidence of effective teaching and mentoring of undergraduate or graduate students.
- Ability to successfully engage in outreach to managers, landowners, urban communities, and other
relevant stakeholders. - Evidence of a commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion.
- Postdoctoral research and/or practitioner experience
Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Position available: August 16, 2022
Application procedure: To apply, submit application material (cover letter, CV, a statement of research and
outreach, a statement of teaching philosophy, and list of four references) to
https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/99422 by March 18, 2022, for full consideration. The cover letter should
explicitly describe the context of the applicant’s research interests and expertise and address the preferred
qualifications. Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to advance diversity
and inclusion in all aspects of their job. Please explicitly describe your vision for enhancing diversity and
inclusion at CSU in both your teaching philosophy and research and outreach statement.
After notifying semifinalist candidates, application materials of the semifinalists, including letters of reference,
will be made available for review by the entire faculty of the Department of Forest and Rangeland
Stewardship. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. CSU is an EO/EA/AA
employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
For questions concerning the position, contact Yu Wei, Search Committee Chair: yu.wei@colostate.edu
University and Local Community:
The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Warner College of Natural Resources, and Colorado
State University recognizes that a sustainable natural environment is essential to human well-being and our
common good. The natural environment is essential in providing material, psychological, and physical health
benefits to all. Thus, we strive toward providing voice for all those affected by natural resource policies to
ensure that diverse perspectives are considered in decisions that affect the natural environment. This
inclusionary philosophy is embedded in our instruction, research, service, outreach, and interactions as a
community. Warner College members hold themselves accountable for fostering an atmosphere that is
welcoming and accepting of diverse perspectives. Warner students, faculty, and staff uphold and embrace
CSU’s principles of community: respect, inclusion, integrity, social justice, and service. Everyone is welcomed.
The Warner community recognizes the disparities that exist within the field of natural resources and therefore
call on individuals whose passions and work align with our college’s effort to make change. Warner College
supports an environment where identities, cultures, experiences, and ideas are recognized, valued, and
appreciated.
Colorado State University, a prestigious Very High Research Activity Carnegie Doctoral University, was established in 1870 and remains inspired by its land-grant heritage and world-class faculty, staff, and students. Nationally, CSU is a Carnegie Engaged University (2008, 2014), is a member of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, and is an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (2016). CSU enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and is the largest employer in northern Colorado with more than 7,400 faculty and staff. Colorado State University is located 60 miles north of Denver in the beautiful city of Fort Collins situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with the foothills and 14,000-foot peaks visible to residents. Fort Collins is an active and progressive community. Easy access to hiking, skiing, rafting and other outdoor sports is a great advantage to CSU students, faculty, and staff. With an average of 280 days of sunshine per year and low humidity, Fort Collins residents enjoy pleasant weather yearround. Indoor and outdoor activities are enjoyable in every season. Colorado has earned a worldwide reputation as an area that offers an unparalleled lifestyle, and Fort Collins represents the very best of Colorado with top award rankings from Forbes for Best Place for Business/Careers, Gallup Well Being Index for Healthiest Mid-Size City in America, CBS Moneywatch List of Top 10 Best Places to Retire, Outside Magazine Best Towns in America, among other recognitions: https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/fcfacts.php?ID=6
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 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.