New Position Announcement: OSU Asst. Prof. Wildland Fire Modeling
Oklahoma State University
Dept. of Natural Resource Ecology & Management
NEW POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Assistant Professor
Wildland Fire Modeling
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma State University
Description:
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) at Oklahoma State University invites applications for a full-time, eleven-month, tenure-track position (75% Research and 25% Teaching) in fire modeling. Oklahoma is an ecologically rich and diverse state with ecosystems ranging from mesic forests in the east to shortgrass prairie in the west. Fire has been a primary ecosystem management practice in Oklahoma since initial Native American settlement and continues today with application of prescribed fires. Urban/exurban development, infrastructure establishment, fire exclusion and resultant increase in fuel loading, and climate change make management using fire more difficult and increase the risk and impacts of wildfire.
We are seeking a candidate to contribute to research related to understanding wildland fire behavior and risk in Oklahoma and the United States. Application and/or development of models to understand fire behavior at multiple spatial scales is required. Possible outcomes of research include improved management of fuels and smoke with prescribed fire, reduction of wildfire risk and mitigation of its effects to infrastructure, reduced impacts of smoke on human health, and improved ecosystem function. The successful candidate is expected to work closely with multidisciplinary faculty in natural resources, climatology, social science, and engineering to meet the needs of diverse stakeholder groups. The successful candidate’s teaching program will contribute to the department’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Specific instructional assignments, including undergraduate academic advising, depend upon the candidate’s expertise and the needs of the department.
The department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is comprised of about 20 faculty with expertise in aquatic, fisheries, forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources, plus 15 research, teaching, and support staff. Approximately 45 masters and doctoral graduate students are advised by NREM faculty, and we serve approximately 265 undergraduate students. The Department is also the administrative home of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The candidate will be expected to serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
Qualifications:
Requirements include a Ph.D. in natural resources or field related to fire modeling. Candidate should have ability to apply model results to improve management of fuels and ecosystems and mitigate risk and impacts of wildfire. Documented evidence of effective oral and written education skills, an understanding of the land-grant mission, and a strong interest in working with landowners, stakeholders, and land management agencies is required. Evidence of the ability to conduct both independent and collaborative programs with other faculty and natural resource professionals, to develop and maintain an active research program, to publish peer reviewed articles, to seek and secure extramural funding to support a research program, to create curriculum for teaching, demonstrated ability to deliver lectures, and the ability to provide mentorship of students is required.
Salary:
Competitive and commensurate with education, training and experience.
Application Procedures:
Applications must be submitted online at:
https://okstate.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=8&c=okstate (search by keyword req8632)
Candidates should submit: 1) a letter of application that includes a brief description of the applicant’s research and teaching philosophy, 2) a complete CV that includes: background, education, experience, and a list of publications and extramural funding, 3) official academic transcripts, and 4) contact information for five (5) references.
Review of applications will begin December 15, 2020, and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The position will be filled by June 1, 2021, or as soon thereafter as an outstanding candidate is available. Continuation of this position is subject to performance and need.
For more information about the department, visit http://nrem.okstate.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/E-verify employer committed to diversity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. OSU is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans for its openings. For more information, please visit http://eeo.okstate.edu.