Job Details

Assistant Professor Wildlife Ecologist (Small Mammals)

Oregon State University

Department: Fisheries and Wildlife (AFW)

Appointment Type: Academic Faculty

Job Location: Corvallis

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience

Job Summary:
This is a full-time, 1.0 FTE tenure-track position at Oregon State University in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (FWCS). This position is funded at 0.75 FTE and the faculty member is expected to fund the other 0.25 FTE from grants and contracts. For the first three years, full funding would be provided by the college at 1.0 FTE.

The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences (FWCS) in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University seeks applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology with an emphasis on small mammals in agricultural ecosystems. For over 85 years, FWCS has been teaching students to think critically about the problems our planet and ecosystems are facing while we conduct impactful research related to wild animals, their habitats, and human-ecological systems. We actively promote science-based conservation solutions and sustainable management practices, engaging with federal and state agencies, landowners, fisheries, tribes, and many other partners. Our work increasingly integrates biological, physical, and social sciences, and we share our studies of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems widely. The incumbent will complement and enhance our reputation for excellence in undergraduate and graduate instruction and research, while also contributing to our impacts via applied research and public outreach.

The position will be focused on terrestrial ecosystems and will contribute to the missions of Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Stations and the College of Agricultural Sciences' (CAS) Working and Natural Landscapes theme. Specifically, this position is designed to develop and lead an integrated program of research, teaching, and outreach addressing population ecology of small mammals occupying agricultural ecosystems, with primary emphasis in Oregon. This position includes 20% Engagement and Outreach addressing conflicts between small mammals and agricultural commodities in Oregon, as well as externally funded Research and associated Scholarship (40%), Teaching and Advising (30%), and Service (10%). Teaching requirements include two undergraduate or undergraduate/graduate courses offered annually, possibly one graduate course specific to the candidate's expertise every other year, mentoring graduate students, supervision of Ecampus instruction, and undergraduate advising. While this is not a formal Extension position, the incumbent is expected to spend significant time (20%) in outreach and public engagement activities across the state and region.

We seek a colleague who has a demonstrable commitment to working and promoting inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds in research, education, and outreach. OSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and especially encourages applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of inclusive excellence. OSU is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors, and employees. For more information on our commitment to inclusive excellence, see https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together .

FWCS is an academic unit that reports to the College of Agricultural Sciences. The Department is composed of approximately 300 staff, including academic faculty, research assistants, classified staff, graduate students, and temporary staff. Over $9 million of externally funded grants and contracts are received each year in support of science focused on basic ecological research, conservation, and sustainable use of fish and wildlife and their habitats. The Department is the largest in the College of Agricultural Sciences, with over 1200 students in 8 degree and certificate programs, including one Bachelor of Science degree, five graduate degrees, and two graduate certificates. We are a vibrant department that promotes a supportive work-life atmosphere for all students and employees.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

Oregon State University's commitment to student success includes hiring, retaining, and developing a diverse faculty to mentor and educate our undergraduate and graduate students from entry through graduation. Our Strategic Plan articulates the strategies we believe are critical to advancing and equalizing learner success. The College of Agricultural Sciences is likewise committed to the success of all learners accessed through its extension and outreach programs.

This position carries the general and specific responsibilities of a faculty member described in the Faculty Handbook and the promotion and tenure guidelines of Oregon State University. These include effective research programs, demonstrable scholarship and creative activity, service contributions, and active professional development.

We are actively recruiting for several faculty positions and we want you on our team! View additional FWCS opportunities here: https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/jobs-in-fwcs

Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We dont wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

Top 1.4% university in the world
More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
217k+ alumni worldwide
For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon States beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of Americas best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
Retirement savings paid by the university.
A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities
40% Research and Scholarship

• Develop and maintain an externally funded research program that includes, but is not limited to ecology and management of Microtus voles in conflict with Willamette Valley agricultural enterprise. Research program must adhere to OSUs requirements for research integrity, compliance, and safety.
• Work with other faculty and the collections manager to maintain the mammal specimen collection.
• Serve as a co-investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.
• Advise and Mentor MS and PhD (thesis), non-thesis masters, and Honors (thesis) students in FWCS as major or co-major professor, and may also include mentorship of students engaged in independent special projects within applicants projects (e.g., URISC, REU, VIEW, etc.)
• Produce scholarly outcomes, including refereed journal articles, oral and poster presentations, abstracts, and proceedings of professional meetings.
• synthesize and communicate original research results, especially those directly applicable to management, to the scientific community, resource managers, and private landowners through outlets appropriate to each audience,
• broaden participation in the natural resource professions, including implementing practices to recruit, retain, advise, mentor, and foster professional success among students from historically excluded or underserved communities.

30% Teaching and Advising

• Teach FW 435/535 Wildlife in Agricultural Ecosystems and at least 1 other course based on the Corvallis campus, and potentially a graduate seminar in an area of the applicants expertise every other year. Other teaching assignments beyond FW435/535 will be determined based on conversation between the incumbent and FWCS Department Head upon arrival, but could include mammalogy (FW 317), systematics of mammals (FW 318), a field or experiential education course, or a new course designed around the applicants expertise.
• Supervise instructors for 1-2 online courses, with multiple sections per year and periodic refresh of materials.
• Advise approximately 20 undergraduates in quarterly academic planning.
• Serve on committees of graduate students for which the applicant is not serving as a major professor.

20% Engagement and Outreach

• Provide leadership in developing and delivering outreach programs to appropriate stakeholders on management of small mammals in agricultural ecosystems
• Obtain and maintain ODA Pesticide Consultant license with Research qualification
• Communication and validation of scholarship through presentations at stakeholder and professional meetings.
• Development and communication of innovative educational materials and effective teaching methods that meet clientele needs, with materials, methods, outcomes, and products that will also represent scholarship

10% ServiceService may include any of the following:

• Serve and actively participate on departmental committees.
• Assist with departmental social and outreach activities, as applicable.
• Participate in relevant professional development opportunities.
• Support the department, college, and university goals for enhancing community and diversity.
• Other activities in support of the University and its units, or the Profession.

What You Will Need
PhD conferred by date of hire in ecology, wildlife science, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability or substantial potential to identify researchable questions
Demonstrated ability or substantial potential to secure competitively funded grants, contracts, and/or gifts to investigate research questions
Strong written communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications for scientific and/or outreach audiences
Strong oral communication skills as evidenced by presentations for scientific and/or outreach audiences
Demonstrated or substantial potential for research on small mammal ecology and population dynamics
Evidence of, or substantial potential for, effective interpersonal professional relationships, such as collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including landowners, community institutions, state and federal agencies, and tribal governments.
Experience in, or demonstrable commitment to, working professionally and inclusively with people from all backgrounds
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid drivers license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have
Demonstrated experience or familiarity with investigation and/or management of cyclic rodents such as Microtus canicaudus or species with similar ecology, particularly in agricultural ecosystems; work could include population dynamics, interactions with competitors, predators, and other trophic levels.
Experience in the development and delivery of university-level teaching
Experience in development and delivery of outreach publications and/or presentations
Experience in design and delivery of online courses, any audience or platform
Demonstrated experience and success providing effective, culturally competent recruitment, retention, and/or mentorship of mentees from underrepresented/underserved community identities
Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student success or impact underserved audiences.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Working conditions (locations, lab vs. field work) will depend on research focus. Visits to growers or other stakeholders for outreach and engagement is expected Evening and weekend work may be required for travel to research sites, conferences, and/or presentation locations. Work may take place in varying field conditions and environments.

Special Instructions to Applicants
We are actively recruiting for several faculty positions and we want you on our team! View additional FWCS opportunities here: https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/jobs-in-fwcs

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by March 3, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents which should speak to how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. Specifically, you will need to attach the following items to your application:

1) A Curriculum Vitae: (finalists will be required to give an open presentation which may include the distribution of their redacted curriculum vitae and a short biography); and

2) A cover letter detailing your interest in the position and clearly showing how you meet all of the required qualifications of the position, as well as any applicable preferred qualifications.

3) A Teaching Statement (two pages or less) - Supplemental summary statement describing your teaching experience, your philosophy of teaching and how this could be applied to small mammal courses.

4) A Research Statement (two pages or less) - Supplemental summary statement describing your proposed research program and describe how it leverages strengths of the Department, College, and University.

5) Broader Impacts Statement (two pages or less, upload as Diversity Statement) - Supplemental statement speaking to the following:

a) Your personal outreach philosophy,

b) The broader impacts of your work for society, community, and applied conservation, and

c) Contributions you have made, and/or plan to make, relative to broadening inclusive and equitable participation in STEM among members of underrepresented communities.

Letters of Reference will be requested from finalists only. When applying, you will be asked to provide the email address and telephone number for three referees who will be sent a secure link that will allow them to upload the requested letters of reference on your behalf.


For additional information please contact:Clint Epps
clinton.epps@oregonstate.edu
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSUs Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/150008







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