Oregon State: Assistant or Associate Professor

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.

• 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 OSU’s 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 applicant’s 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.

 

• 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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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.

• 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

• 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.

hD 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 driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.