Research Assistant Professor in Wildlife Resources
Academic Rank and Salary: The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program
in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources at West Virginia
University is seeking a broadly-trained wildlife ecologist to fill a
nine-month position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is
non-tenure track, but fully promotable using standard University
promotion criteria. We anticipate that the position will begin on August
16, 2010. Continuation of the position beyond the current 3-year funding
cycle is contingent upon the availability of funds and the applicants’
ability to secure extramural funding. The position is a shared position
with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.
Responsibilities: This position is predominantly focused on
forest-wildlife research (90 percent) with some graduate level teaching
opportunities (10 percent). The incumbent will be required to focus on
conceiving, inventing, and developing practical solutions to
wildlife-based issues for the central Appalachian region, and
contributing to addressing issues of national significance. Research
questions should have broad, multi-disciplinary implications (e.g.
climate change, energy development, zoonotic disease issues) and
landscape scale applications (e.g. ecological restoration). The
incumbent will be expected to develop a strong multi-disciplinary effort
to address these issues, working with West Virginia University and
Forest Service researchers and staff. The ability to place findings in a
landscape ecology context using GIS methodologies or using molecular
tools such as stable isotope analysis or conservation genetics is
desirable. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the
following: (1) planning, developing, and implementing research programs
focused on the forest-wildlife concerns listed above, at the regional
and national level, as well as other multidisciplinary research and
development opportunities; (2) development and instruction of one
graduate level course per year appropriate to the needs of the Wildlife
and Fisheries Resources Program and the candidate's expertise; (3)
collaborating with federal and state resource agencies to promote
long-term partnerships focused on the improvement of wildlife habitat
and resources; and (4) attracting and mentoring graduate students,
acquiring extramural funding, and publishing research results in
refereed research journals.
Qualifications: An earned doctorate in Wildlife Sciences or related
disciplines is required. Experience in wildlife management or research
at the state or federal level is preferred. Demonstrated ability to
communicate with students, industry, and government agencies, and to
work within interdisciplinary research groups that are cross-cutting
among science, technology, and ecological science disciplines is
essential.
Program: The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources program at WVU is one of
four program areas in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.
The program offers degrees at the bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral
levels. The USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station extends
across 20 states, comprising both the most densely populated and most
heavily forested portion of the US. The Northern Research Station is
dedicated, organized, and staffed to provide high quality scientific
information in a form that people can use.
Location: The West Virginia University main campus is located in
Morgantown, a small city of 45,000 in the Appalachian Mountains on West
Virginia’s northern border adjacent to Pennsylvania. Morgantown was
rated third in the United States among best metropolitan cities in which
to live in The Rating Guide to Life in America’s Small Cities, 1997
edition. West Virginia University is the state’s major research,
doctoral degree granting, land-grant institution. It serves over 29,000
students in 184-degree programs offered by 15 academic schools and
colleges.
Application: Qualified applicants should submit an application letter,
detailed curriculum vitae, transcripts, and a list containing at least
three professional references that includes all necessary contact
information (address, telephone number, and e-mail address). All
correspondence must be sent to and inquiries directed to:
Dr. Joseph F. McNeel, Director
Division of Forestry and Natural Resources
West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6125
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6125
jmcn...@wvu.edu
Phone (304) 293-4412; Fax (304) 293-2441
Applications will be accepted until April 1st, 2010 or until the
position is filled. West Virginia University is committed to enhancing
its faculty diversity. Women and minority applicants are encouraged to
apply. Web Site: http://www.forestry.caf.wvu.edu
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
James T. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor, Wildlife Ecology and Management
Director, Environmental Research Center
Associate Director, Natural Resource Analysis Center
West
