Assistant Professor in Urban and Community Forestry

~ MSU Forestry students discover their role in sustaining forests and the ecosystem services they provide, including conservation of biodiversity, wood, clean water and global climate stabilization. ~

Students learn to be leaders through multi-disciplinary coursework, field studies, cutting edge technology and mentorship from respected faculty in one of the longest-standing Forestry programs in the United States.

Position Overview

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University invites applications for a 12‐month tenure‐system position at the assistant professor rank, with a focus in urban and community forestry (50% research, 20% teaching, 30% extension). 

Responsibilities

• We seek an outstanding and innovative scientist to identify and address emerging issues and ecosystem services in urban and community forests.
• Possible areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) urban forest interactions with human health, green infrastructure and/or micro and macro‐climate; urban forest health and resilience, urban wood utilization; and urban forest policy and management.
• The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally‐recognized research program by securing competitive external funding, publishing in leading peer‐reviewed journals, and advancing our understanding of sustainable forested urban ecosystems.
• The successful candidate will annually teach an advanced undergraduate/beginning graduate course in urban forestry.
• Extension responsibilities will require developing and maintaining relationships with municipal, state and federal urban resource managers, community‐based organizations, and other entities, including leaders of the tree care industry.
• The successful candidate is expected to provide leadership on urban forestry issues throughout Michigan, with a particular focus on MSU’s planned research and extension center on urban food and forest systems in Detroit.
• This position is partially supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) through the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management and the successful candidate is expected to conduct research and extension that are relevant to the MDNR and other stakeholders.
• Responsibilities also include recruiting and training graduate students, undergraduate mentoring, and Department, College, University, and professional service.

Qualifications

• An earned PhD in Forestry, Natural Resources, Urban Ecology or related fields.
• Applicants should have a record of scholarly activities including peer‐reviewed journal articles and successful grant applications.
• Applicants also should have a demonstrated interest in teaching, outreach/extension, and inclusion of under‐represented groups.

Additional Information

The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., USA. Formally established in 1902, Michigan State’s Department of Forestry was among the first undergraduate forestry programs in the U.S. The Department is a vibrant, growing, internationally‐recognized unit firmly committed to interdisciplinary education, research, and extension to understand and resolve environmental and natural resource issues.

MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities.

Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at the MSU Michigan Workforce Innovation Network. Information about work life at MSU can be found at the WorkLife MSU website.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below. Review of applications will begin September 15, 2017 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. 

~ MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life, and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions. ~