University of Connecticut, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Position ID:UConn-Ecology and Evolutionary Biology-495980 [#20979, 495980]
Position Title: Research and Teaching Scholar (Assistant Research Professor)
Position Type:Non tenure-track faculty
Position Location:Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Area: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Appl Deadline: finished (2022/01/19, finished 2022/05/23, listed until 2022/02/16)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a non-tenure-track Research and Teaching Scholar (Assistant Research Professor). This is a two-year position, renewed annually, to conduct independent research and undergraduate teaching in evolution, ecology, systematics, conservation, and related fields.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an independent high-quality research program in collaboration with two or more faculty mentors. One mentor must be in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB; https://eeb.uconn.edu). The second faculty mentor may be in EEB or a related department. These may include Molecular and Cellular Biology (https://mcb.uconn.edu/), Natural Resources and the Environment (https://nre.uconn.edu), Physiology and Neurobiology (https://pnb.uconn.edu), Geosciences (https://geosciences.uconn.edu), Statistics (https://stat.uconn.edu), Marine Sciences (https://marinesciences.uconn.edu), or another related department. In addition, one semester per year the candidate will teach an undergraduate course in the EEB Department’s core curriculum, to be determined based on the intersection of the scholar’s expertise and departmental needs. Candidates are also expected to contribute meaningfully to the Department and campus efforts to increase the inclusion of historically underrepresented scientists.

The EEB Department is home to a strong, vital, and professionally active group of committed researchers, teachers, graduate students, and postdocs. Department members enjoy a broad network of collaborations within the Department, across UConn departments, and around the globe. The Department houses a Biodiversity Research Collection, including an outstanding collection of living plants. For more information about the Department, visit https://eeb.uconn.edu. The EEB Department has a Values and Mission statement here: https://eeb.uconn.edu/values-statement/.

The successful candidate will join a cohort of CLAS Teaching and Research Scholars and will be offered training and support related to teaching, career development, and resources to improve recruitment and retention of historically excluded and underrepresented students (https://diversity.uconn.edu/). As an Assistant Research Professor, the selected individual will also be eligible to apply to internal institutional programs for research support for travel and supplies, and will have full access to the COR2E facilities with support for statistical analysis, biophysics, microscopy, sequencing, computational biology, and more.

Qualified applicants should have a history of original research in a relevant field and must have completed their Ph.D. prior to starting work at the University of Connecticut. We particularly encourage applications from candidates that have recently completed, or will soon complete, their Ph.D. and who come from historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds.

The position is partially funded by sponsoring faculty members. Therefore, candidates must contact potential faculty sponsors prior to applying to ensure the faculty members are willing and able to provide support.

Founded in 1881, 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

  • Completion of the requirements for a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or a related field by the start of the position.
  • Plan for innovative research that bridges existing labs within EEB, or between EEB and another department.
  • Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion within an academic setting.
  • Ability to teach one or more core courses related to ecology or evolutionary biology.
  • At least three publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Candidates must have confirmation that their proposed faculty mentors have the funding capacity to support their application.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A record of innovative scholarly work related to evolution or ecology.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Demonstrated ability teaching undergraduates.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, non-tenure-track position with an anticipated start date between March 2022 and August 2022. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance and funding. There is an annual salary of $65,000; benefits are competitive.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

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/20979 and submit the following application materials:

  • A cover letter,
  • Curriculum vitae,
  • Statement of research accomplishments (max 2 pages);
  • A statement describing proposed research for the duration of this position (max 2 pages);
  • A statement describing teaching experience and philosophy - the statement should also indicate which core courses the applicant is qualified to teach. Likely options include: Evolution and Human Diversity (EEB 2202), Global Change Ecology (EEB 2100E), Conservation Biology (EEB 2208E), Evolution (EEB 2245);
  • Diversity statement describing actions to enhance diversity and inclusion through research teaching and service (max 2 pages). See EEB Departmental guidance on such statements: https://eeb.uconn.edu/guidance-on-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-statements/ 
  • List of three references, with contact information. We will request letters directly from these references after identifying top candidates;
  • Copies of two published manuscripts (preprints are acceptable).

Applications received by February 14, 2022 are guaranteed full consideration; review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

For questions, prospective applicants may contact any faculty member in EEB about possible sponsorship, or contact Daniel Bolnick (daniel.bolnick@uconn.edu) about questions regarding the search process.

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

This job will be filled subject to 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.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/
email address
 
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut
75 N. Eagleville Road, Unit 3043
Storrs, CT 06269-3043