Position Description

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Quantitative Ecology at the Assistant Professor level. The Department seeks a research scientist who applies and develops innovative quantitative approaches to advance the empirical or theoretical understanding of fundamental ecological questions. We are interested in candidates who understand and predict ecological dynamics and patterns by applying and developing cutting-edge statistics or metrics, writing statistical software, deriving and testing mathematical theory, applying analytical, numerical, or simulation approaches, or addressing the challenges of working with “Big Data”. We are particularly interested in researchers who can address questions that operate across multiple spatial or temporal hierarchical scales and who apply both mechanistic and statistical approaches to their science.

This position complements Departmental strengths in ecology, evolution, systematics, organismal biology, and conservation biology. The Department offers a highly collaborative environment at a leading public research university that is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. More information about the Department can be found at http://www.eeb.uconn.edu. In addition, the University is embarking on an endeavor to strengthen our ability to analyze big data that will create many additional opportunities for the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will be expected to (1) supervise an independent research program that will attract extramural funding, provide research training for graduate and undergraduate students, and offer professional service to the Department and University. (2) demonstrate a commitment to effective instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including teaching a graduate-level course on data analysis and development of innovative courses, and mentoring of students in research, outreach, and professional development; and (3) broaden participation of members of underrepresented groups, engage diverse groups through research, teaching, and public engagement, and exhibit skill in using pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of individuals with diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and intellectual interests.

Founded in 1881, the UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. or equivalent in ecology, biology, biostatistics, or a related field by time of appointment. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable;
• Two peer-reviewed publications in quantitative ecology;
• Demonstrated application or development of quantitative methods in ecology;
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through research, teaching, and/or public engagement via past actions or a detailed plan for future work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Potential to establish a nationally recognized research program that makes conceptual advances in ecology based on empirical research;
• Demonstrable ability to develop novel statistical approaches to address critical ecological questions;
• Research program that complements the Department’s strengths;
• Strong record of extramural fellowships or grants;
• Evidence of or potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring;
• Relevant postdoctoral experience;
• Commitment to and plan for fostering and supporting diversity, inclusion, and equity in the Department and University.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20208 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research and scholarship statement 3 pages maximum, blinded; include research accomplishments, short – (next 5 years) and long-term plans, and experience in grant proposal development;
• Teaching statement 2 pages maximum, blinded; include teaching philosophy, experience, approaches to effective learning, and interests in teaching particular courses as week as mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students;
• Commitment to diversity statement 2 pages maximum, blinded; Describe your overarching philosophy as well as planned activities to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and to meet the needs of diverse learning styles at UConn. This statement might also include activities you have engaged in to enhance diversity and broaden participation in science (e.g. race, gender, sexuality, ability), and any approaches you have taken to integrate diverse experiences into instruction and research.
• Names and contact information for 3 letters of reference.

Important note on the blinded application process: Recognizing the potential influence of implicit bias, we will conduct the initial stages of the search blinded to candidate identity and focused only on the research, teaching, and diversity statements. We ask that you remove your name from these application materials as well as any identifiers to your race, ethnicity, and gender. To avoid other forms of bias, we also request that you remove reference to specific institutions, advisors, and journals in these statements. You do not need to anonymize your cover letter and curriculum vitae. We will view these materials after developing an initial list of candidates and at a point when the search will no longer be conducted using blind techniques. We will also contact letter writers at this stage, and they will not need to submit blinded letters. For more information on how to create blind application materials and an example, see https://eeb.uconn.edu/quantitative-ecologist-position/.

To ensure full consideration, application should be received by November 20, 2021. For more information regarding the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology please visit the Department website at https://eeb.uconn.edu. 

For questions about the application system, email Nick Boston (nicholas.boston@uconn.edu) and for questions directly related to the search, email Mark Urban (mark.urban@uconn.edu).

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.