Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology

The Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), in Juneau, seeks applications for a tenure-track faculty position, Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology, to begin August 2025. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology, Biology, or from a related field. This position will teach Ecology courses for the Program on the Environment and the Biology and Marine Biology Programs. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust externally-funded research program involving undergraduate students and teach lower and upper division courses in Forest Ecology.

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is a small liberal arts university and is a federally recognized Alaska Native-serving institution. It is located in the traditional territory of the Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, a majestic array of islands, channels, fjords, coastal mountains, icefields, and glaciers. On our three campuses, students have opportunities for field study, research, creative production, and internships in the Tongass National Forest, in marine and freshwater environments, with local businesses, and within tribal, federal, and state governmental entities. The university is also proud to be the home of Alaska Native Studies, which includes the languages, culture, and art of the Indigenous Peoples of Southeast Alaska. The Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology is dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and open environment at the University of Alaska Southeast. We prioritize equitable access to resources and opportunities for all individuals to reach their full potential, recognizing the importance of cultural safety and belonging for present and future success.

The successful candidate will be involved in Alaska EPSCoR “Interface of Change” project (https://www.alaska.edu/epscor/). Opportunities also exist to engage with regional organizations such as the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (http://acrc.alaska.edu) and the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station in Juneau (http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/) that may complement the successful candidate's research program.

The UAS Juneau campus is located 12 miles north of downtown Juneau in a beautiful setting overlooking Auke Bay on one side and on the other Auke Lake and Aak’wtaaksit also known as the Mendenhall Glacier. Environmental Sciences faculty are housed in the brand new Áakʼw Tá Hít oceanside building. Juneau (population 32,000), the capital of Alaska, is a picturesque city with a mild, maritime climate, exceptional outdoor and recreation venues, and a lively arts community. For additional information about UAS, please visit our website at www.uas.alaska.edu.

To thrive in this role, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in geospatial data analysis with regard to forest ecosystems and the ability to teach introductory forest ecology and upper division courses that support degrees in Environmental Science, Environmental Resources, and Biology. The Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology will have demonstrated the potential to secure extramural funding and will be expected to develop a successful research program with undergraduate students. They will have experience teaching diverse student populations and the ability to work, think, and communicate across disciplinary boundaries and in multi-disciplinary settings.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in Forest Ecology, Biology, or related field. Candidates with all but dissertation (ABD) at time of application may be considered with the requirement that the Ph.D. be awarded before starting the position.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. For the first three years, this is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty appointment. After three years, the appointment will be split between the School of Arts & Sciences (5-6 months, hard-funded) and the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (3-4 months, soft-funded). The split between these appointments is negotiable based on teaching and research needs. The position has a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package that includes negotiable relocation funds. The position is represented by the United Academics (UNAC) collective bargaining unit agreement (http://unitedacademics.net/).

First consideration will be given to those submitting their application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on January 13, 2025. Initial application review takes place on January 14, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

Interested applicants should submit their application online at Careers at the University of Alaska (UA): https://careers.alaska.edu.

Candidates must include the following with their application:

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of your teaching philosophy (upload as supporting document item 1) 
• Statement of your research experience and future plans (upload as supporting document item 2)
• Copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts *unofficial copies are acceptable at the time of application, official transcripts will be required from the successful candidate (upload as Transcript)
• Names and contact information of three professional references

UAS is a minority-serving institution with a diverse student body. We are seeking to build a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. Applicants are encouraged to address how they have supported and plan to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cover letter, teaching statement, and/or research statement. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Eran Hood, Chair of the Search Committee, at ewhood@alaska.edu. 

*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.

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 UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

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.