Assistant Professor in Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology

~ UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. ~

The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Position Overview

The Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks talented applicants for a 9-month academic year, tenure-track appointment as Assistant Professor in Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology. Earliest appointment date is September 1, 2019.

The ideal candidate will be focused on silvicultural approaches in family forest owner dominated landscapes that can increase the resiliency and adaptive capacity of forested ecosystems to challenges such as climate change, invasive insects and plants, and excessive herbivory while also providing the sustainable production of wood products and other key ecosystem services (e.g., carbon, water).

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Teaching responsibilities will include:1) upper-level undergraduate/graduate course in silviculture, 2) upper-level undergraduate/graduate course in forest measurements, and 3) graduate-level course in candidate’s area of expertise.
• Successful applicants will serve, as do all other faculty, as a mentor to minorities and other underrepresented groups within the Department.
• Successful applicants will be expected to supervise graduate students at the Master’s and Ph.D. levels.
• The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to increasing the number of undergraduate majors and support of the program’s SAF accreditation and student chapter.

Other Functions:

• Candidates should care deeply about undergraduate and graduate education, and be a teacher and mentor.
• The candidate is expected to develop independent and collaborative research programs that help to meet the research needs of state, federal and non-governmental organizations; build departmental and interdisciplinary collaborations; and develop an innovative teaching program that incorporates new initiatives in teaching and learning, such as Team-Based Learning.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure):

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. in forestry or closely related field with a minimum of one forestry degree from an SAF accredited program.
• The focus of this position is on sustainable forest management in a changing environment. Possible research topics may include: understanding the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems, adapting forest ecosystems to changing and uncertain future conditions and objectives, and managing forest structure and composition to achieve ecological and economic goals.
• In addition, this person will provide leadership for their profession and collaborate with other faculty and partner organizations to address the critical issues of Massachusetts and beyond.
• The applicant’s experience should demonstrate strengths in field experiences and training in silviculture and applied forest ecology; experience working with family forest owners, land management agencies, and/or land trusts; ability to develop an externally funded research program; and demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication.
• Preferred qualifications include previous teaching experience at a university level; active participation in professional societies; and interest in developing field-based research projects in Massachusetts and New England.

Work Schedule:

• Your presence on campus and regular office hours are expected throughout the academic year.

Compensation

• Salary commensurate with education, experience, and certifications.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to upload your cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching goals, and the names and contact information of three references.

Search questions can be addressed to: Paul Catanzaro, Search Chair, (413) 545-4839. Applicants should apply by the priority deadline of March 1, 2019 to ensure consideration.

~ Additionally, all applicants must submit a statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, identifying past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarship, and/or mentoring, teaching and outreach activities. For more information, please review the College’s diversity statement here. ~