Job description

Tenure Track Assistant Professor – Conservation Biology

VP Area: Academic Affairs

Department: College of Great Lakes Ecology and Education

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The School of Natural Resources (https://www.lssu.edu/school-of-natural-resources/) in the College of Great Lakes Ecology and Education at Lake Superior State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track faculty position in Conservation Biology. Responsibilities include teaching core courses in the B.S. Conservation Biology program, and additional courses related to B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Management, A.S. Natural Resource Technology, and A.S. Geospatial Technology programs. Faculty in the School of Natural Resources actively contribute to LSSU’s undergraduate and 4+1 M.S. programs through academic and career advising, mentoring undergraduate and graduate student research, advising student clubs, and working collaboratively with stakeholders and external partners to provide unique student opportunities.

We seek a colleague whose classroom teaching and scholarly activities employ field- and lab-based methodologies. Many areas of research expertise are appropriate, but candidates with expertise in mammal ecology and conservation, conservation genetics, and/or spatial ecology will be prioritized during screening.

LSSU is a small, public university located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The campus sits on the St. Marys River and provides numerous educational and professional opportunities in wildlife ecology, and natural resource conservation and management, being surrounded by forests, grasslands, rivers, and lakes. LSSU offers many resources for teaching and research, including: equipment for capturing and sampling wildlife, camera traps, telemetry equipment, ESRI site license, UAVs, taxidermied mammal and skull collections, and access to laboratories on and off-campus at the Center for Freshwater Research and Education (http://www.lssu.edu.cfre/). LSSU’s Native American Center also provides opportunities to collaborate on areas including Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and indigenous perspectives. Additionally, LSSU is surrounded by three Great Lakes and many state, provincial, and national forests and parks that provide tremendous recreational opportunities and a high quality of life.

Success of students within the School of Natural Resources stems from extensive interaction with faculty during hands-on labs, student research, and active student organizations. All students within the school are required to complete a senior thesis and they are encouraged to present their research at regional and national scientific conferences. Faculty also work closely in advising student clubs, including the Society for Conservation Biology and the nationally recognized Fisheries and Wildlife Club (student sub-unit of the American Fisheries Society). The successful candidate will be expected to mentor students engaged in undergraduate and graduate research, and contribute to university service, including academic advising.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching-12 contract hours each semester that may include courses such as Conservation Biology, Mammalogy, Quantitative Ecology, Ecological Data Analysis and Interpretation, introductory GIS courses, and graduate seminar.
• Scholarly Activity-The successful candidate is encouraged to build a research program around their area of expertise to create research opportunities for our undergraduate and graduate students.
• Mentoring-Academic advising and professional mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, along with mentoring research projects.
• Service-Participation in school, university, community, and professional activities.

Application requirements and details to succeed in this position:

A Ph. D. or ABD in Conservation Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Natural Resources, or closely related discipline. Ability to teach primarily undergraduate and occasionally graduate courses through field, classroom, and laboratory settings that engage modern pedagogy, and potential to develop synergy with existing faculty in the School of Natural Resources at LSSU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting research in northern temperate ecosystems
• Demonstrated ability or interest in building undergraduate and graduate research through external funding, publication, conference presentations, and collaborative research
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with natural resource stakeholders including state, federal, and tribal organizations while creating professional opportunities for students
• Experience in applying spatial ecology concepts and tools (GIS, statistics, and modeling)

How to apply

Apply now

Required Documents:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for 3 references
• Unofficial copies of graduate transcripts
• Statement of teaching interests (1 page)
• Statement of research interests (1 page)
• Statement of diversity and inclusion (1 page)

Application Review Time

Review of applications will begin by January 4, 2027

It is the policy of Lake Superior State University that no person shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment, or in any program or activity for which the University is responsible on the basis of race, color, national origin or ancestry, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, religion, height, weight, marital status or veteran status.