Deadline: Mon, 05/02/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University Job Field: Fisheries Policy/Administrative Job Type: Full Time Location: Mississippi Location Detail: Starkville Job Description: The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University (MSU), is seeking applications for a full time, 9-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant/Associate Professor rank. This person will be involved in 50% research and 50% teaching. Salary is competitive, with level of appointment and/or rank and salary commensurate with individual’s qualifications, background, and experience. RESPONSIBILITIES: We seek an enthusiastic fisheries scientist interested in joining a vibrant team of natural resources faculty, advancing knowledge, conducting applied research, and training the next generation of fisheries science professionals. The applicant should be able to develop a research program on inland and/or coastal fisheries to inform conservation and management. This can include research that is applied, empirical or theoretical, focused on both game and non-game species and conducted at various scales, including international work. The selected candidate will complement current departmental strengths in river ecology, reservoir management, freshwater conservation, community ecology, water quality, aquaculture, fish physiology and nutrition, human dimensions, international fisheries, movement and behavioral ecology. Areas of interest may include: implementing new modeling tools for fisheries stock assessment and resiliency of fishery resources; developing ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches relevant to the southeastern USA region and abroad; examining environmental factors influencing species occurrence and distribution; evaluating how conservation priorities affect geographic area prioritization to support the structured and adaptive decision-making process; leading biological risk assessments through species status assessments (SSAs), sportfish restoration, data science, and studying aquatic and/or fish community ecology including system threats such as climate change, invasive species, harvest pressure, and anthropogenic impacts to inform management of regional aquatic resources. Particular attention will be given to programs focused on Southeastern fish communities, with a focus on riverine, reservoir and/or coastal systems and multi-species representation, along with the coordination and use of supporting datasets and research products from external stakeholders. Research at population and community levels having linkages to the broader landscape, including watershed health, restoration impacts, aquatic resource change through time, and water quality parameters is also of interest. Applicants should be able to contribute to a diverse faculty group and demonstrate how their research and teaching program will complement and enrich the department. The primary responsibilities of this position will be developing a productive, externally-funded, and nationally/internationally recognized research program, publishing high-impact journal articles, effectively mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, serving on committees, participating in professional societies, assisting with outreach activities for fisheries science and management, and teaching within the Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture program. Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate and graduate student courses depending on the candidate’s expertise and departmental need. Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS: Candidate will have a PhD with expertise in fisheries science, fisheries management, and aquatic ecology. Excellence in teaching, communication and organizational skills, peer-reviewed publications, and a commitment to service are expected. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with diverse scientific disciplines, secure extramural funding, interact well with various stakeholder groups, and federal and state natural resource agencies to support long-term partnerships. ABDs/degree pending will be considered. Level of appointment and/or rank and salary will be commensurate with the individual’s qualifications, background, and experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Postdoctoral or agency research experience, procurement of extramural funds to accomplish research, facilitation of graduate student research, and mentoring and teaching experience. Preference will be given to candidates whose research naturally crosses disciplinary lines. The department values diversity and continually strives to maintain and promote an inclusive learning and research environment that embraces all students, faculty, and staff. We encourage a diverse pool of applicants to apply, including underrepresented individuals within the natural resources profession. Miscellaneous: ABOUT THE STATE AND UNIVERSITY: The Southeastern U.S. hosts some of the greatest aquatic species biodiversity in North America including numerous endangered and threatened species of fish, crayfish and mussels experiencing population declines. We also have both marine, coastal and inland fisheries opportunities for research with a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team ready to begin work with a new faculty member. Mississippi State University is ranked as one of the top research institutions in the United States. The Carnegie Institute has designated MSU as a "higher research activity" doctoral granting institution. The National Science Foundation has MSU as ranked No. 12 nationally in Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation expenditures with more than $109 million spent annually. The 35-member faculty within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture leads one of the most productive research programs in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. The department has a highly collegial and productive group of faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research associates, and Extension associates that help make the department one of the premier institutions for applied wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture science in the nation. As one of the fastest growing programs in the region and Number 1 ranked undergraduate program in the Southeast, our 320+ undergraduate students concentrate in wildlife agriculture science, human-wildlife interactions, conservation biology, wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation law enforcement, and wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science. The department also mentors about 90 graduate students across a variety of programs, with high job placement following receipt of a graduate degree. LOCATION: This position is on the MSU campus, located in Starkville, Mississippi. A description of the College of Forest Resources (CFR), the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture can be found at http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife STARTING: August 2022 or as negotiated REVIEW: Begins March 28th; will continue until filled. How to Apply: To APPLY: Applications must be submitted online at https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/cw/en-us/job/503762/assistantassoci…; position (PARF #503762) and should include a 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement and philosophy, 4) teaching statement and philosophy, 5) official transcripts, and 6) programmatic vision statement how your research program will build on existing departmental expertise or expand the department in new directions. For more additional information, contact Dr. Sandra B. Correa, search chair, at: sbc257@msstate.edu
