Assistant Professor of Animal Ecology

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor to join the Institute of Arctic Biology (IAB) and College of Natural Science and Mathematics (CNSM) with expertise in animal ecology. This is a 9-month (full-time) tenure-track faculty position with a 3-month appointment extension supported by external funding (if available). The position duties will consist of 40% teaching, 50% research and 10% service.

This position will initially teach two courses per year in the Department of Biology and Wildlife, build and sustain a ongoing, externally-funded research program through the Institute of Arctic Biology involving mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, and provide service to the university, profession, and general public. We also welcome applicants whose research will benefit from and complement our major facilities and programs, including the Bonanza Creek (Boreal) Long-Term Ecological Research Program, Toolik Field Station, the Large Animal Research Station (LARS), and/or the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

To thrive in this role, the successful candidate must have the expertise and motivation to build an externally funded research program focused on animal ecology. The candidate's research must address Alaska's needs and priorities. The candidate must have the ability to effectively mentor students in research. Successful candidates must have innovative ideas for advancing knowledge in animal ecology or a closely related field, excellent oral and written communication, skills in student engagement, pedagogical proficiency, and the ability to design and teach courses in person, field-based, and distance asynchronous and synchronous online modalities. They must possess the ability to build collaborations with diverse interest groups. The integration of Indigenous perspectives into teaching and research is highly desirable. Individuals who are self-disciplined, student-centered, and demonstrate excellence through teaching, research, collaboration, adaptability, and creativity will flourish in this position.

Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D.* in biology with emphasis on animal ecology, at least two semesters of teaching experience as course instructor or teaching assistant, experience with mentorship (supervisor, advisor, committee member) of at least one undergraduate or graduate student, lead author of at least three peer-reviewed publications, AND recipient of at least one externally funded grant, scholarship, or fellowship.
*Applications will be accepted if candidates have successfully defended their Ph.D. dissertation by application deadline. Awarded Ph.D. is required prior to start date.
Prior postdoctoral experience is preferred, but not required

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

Position Details:
This position is located on the Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base appointment, FLSA exempt faculty position complete with a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, paid holidays, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be offered a competitive salary based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on October 1, 2026. Applications received prior to this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled. 

Finalists invited to an on-campus interview/visit will be required to give a research presentation during the visit. Feedback from faculty, staff and students will be considered.

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. 

REQUIRED application documents:
-Cover Letter
-Resume or Curriculum Vitae
-Teaching philosophy, experience and interests statement (2 pages max)
-Research Statement including experience, research agenda and how your research will be relevant to Alaska (2 pages max)
  **Combine the Teaching and Research into a single document for upload

- A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA safe driving criteria is required.

☎️ If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sheri Hall, CNSM HR Manager, at sahall5@alaska.edu or (907) 474-6714.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://www.unitedacademicsak.org

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.