Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology - Large Mammal Wildlife Ecologist | Conservation Jobs from Conservation Careers

General Statement	The Ecology Department at Montana State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology. We seek candidates with a promising research and teaching record focused on large mammals; their population ecology, responses to environmental change, interactions with other species, and habitat; and applied uses of such information to achieve societal goals. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an excellent program of research and publication funded by extramural and competitive grant programs, and to support and mentor graduate students. The Department of Ecology is highly committed to quality undergraduate and graduate education, and the successful candidate is expected to participate actively in the department curriculum. The specific teaching assignment is negotiable with respect to candidate interests and departmental needs but will probably include two team-taught undergraduate courses in fish and wildlife ecology and management and a graduate-level course that complements and expands our existing graduate course offerings. Because increasing the diversity of the profession is one of our strategic priorities, women and underrepresented minorities in ecological sciences are particularly encouraged to apply. We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and can contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.
Duties and Responsibilities	The department seeks an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology with a promising research and teaching record focused on large mammals; their population ecology, responses to environmental change, interactions with other species, and habitat; and applied uses of such information to achieve societal goals. Montana and the surrounding region are experiencing changes in human communities, land use, and other aspects of environmental conditions including habitat, predators, and diseases that have implications for populations of large mammals. As a land-grant institution, Montana State University seeks a candidate who will successfully (1) educate and prepare the next generation of scientists, wildlife managers, and decision makers with an excellent knowledge of large mammal ecology and management, (2) conduct research that will help us understand large mammal populations, and (3) coordinate with natural resource agencies to help inform and develop management strategies aimed at achieving societal goals for large mammal populations. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a progressive and productive research program focused on the ecology, conservation, and management of large mammal populations, and to teach and contribute to the overall mission of the Ecology Department and Montana State University. We seek candidates with research interests and skills that complement those of our current faculty. We seek candidates with a strong interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary research, particularly focused on pressing ecological questions in the Greater Yellowstone region, the Intermountain West, the Northern Great Plains, and similar ecosystems globally. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an excellent program of research and publication funded by extramural grant programs. The Department of Ecology is highly committed to quality undergraduate and graduate education, and the successful candidate is expected to mentor graduate students and participate actively in the department curriculum.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills	PhD in wildlife biology, ecology, or closely related field. Strong background and interest in undergraduate and graduate education, with a demonstrated record of, or high potential for, effective teaching at the college or university level. A solid record of research and publication in large mammal ecology commensurate with time expired since the candidate received his/her/their degree. Demonstrated record of, or high potential for, securing extramural and competitive funding. Demonstrated record of, or high potential to work effectively with local, state, and/or federal management stakeholders (e.g., Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, NPS, USFWS, USFS, BLM, USGS). Ability to effectively mentor a diverse student body, including women and minorities.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills	Research experience or interest that addresses both basic and applied ecology. Interest in interdisciplinary or collaborative research and funding. Expertise in some of the key quantitative methods needed to understand large mammal populations. Potential to promote the advancement of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environment, through research, teaching, advising/mentoring, and/or service.
The Successful Candidate Will	Be a dynamic teacher and scholar. Have the ability to inspire and mentor students. Have excellent written and oral communication skills. Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate successfully and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and students. Demonstrate an appreciation for diverse constituencies and the ability to help students from underrepresented backgrounds succeed.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information	This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands	To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department	The Department of Ecology at Montana State University is part of the College of Letters and Science. Ecology is a leading department in both teaching and research that addresses fundamental and applied ecological questions for Montana, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Northern Rockies, and farther afield. The department offers a B.S. degree with four options (Conservation Biology and Ecology, Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management, Organismal Biology, and Biology Teaching), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Fish and Wildlife Biology, and Biological Sciences. With about 580 undergraduate majors and 50 graduate students, the department has one of the largest and most active programs at Montana State University. The department also houses Montana’s USGS Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. The department maintains close ties with the Montana Institute on Ecosystems, and the Departments of Mathematical Sciences, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Plant Science and Plant Pathology, and Animal and Range Sciences. Collaborating resource agencies include Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the USGS Northern Rockies Science Center (both headquartered on campus), Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. Montana State University is a founding member of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and affiliated with the Yellowstone NEON ecological observatory.
The College	The College of Letters and Science (L&S), the largest center for learning, teaching, and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors, and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. L&S is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. L&S is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation. Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. The College of Letters & Science (CLS) at Montana State University encourages individuals interested in advancing the University’s Strategic Plan diversity, equity, and inclusion goals to apply. Links to the University Strategic Plan; Office of Diversity and Inclusion; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Plan; CLS Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and CLS newsletter, Diversity Matters are all embedded here for reference. CLS is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in research, teaching, and service/outreach engagement, and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, the College encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of race, gender, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, national origin, disability, age, veterans status, and other underrepresented groups. MSU also recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date	August 2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:	Screening of applications will begin on November 15, 2021; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. On-campus interviews are planned to take place during Spring semester 2022.
Special Instructions	Applicants should upload 1) a letter of interest addressing the required and preferred qualifications; 2) a CV; 3) a description of research accomplishments and future directions; 4) a statement of teaching experience and interests; 5) a statement demonstrating evidence of a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, and belonging in teaching, scholarship and service; and 6) copies of up to 3 publications. Please note: A list of 3 references with their contact information will need to be provided on the online application form when applying for this position.
Diversity Statement	Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged. Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu . In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: http://www.montana.edu/hr/affirmative_action_plan.html . Applicant Documents Required Documents Curriculum Vitae Other – Please see Special Instructions Summary Publication #1 List of Three (3) Professional References Research Statement Teaching Statement Publication #2 Publication #3 Letter of Interest