Position description: The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University and the Institute for Water Research invites applications for a full‐time, 12-month fixed-term position with 10% research, 20% teaching, 60% extension/outreach, and 10% leadership/service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be summer 2024.
The selected candidate will be jointly appointed in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (51%) and the Institute for Water Research (49%). Performance expectations are primarily centered on outreach/extension (OE) and include knowledge transfer to management agencies, MSUE field educators, other stakeholders, or the broader public. The successful candidate will also be responsible for securing funding in support of their OE programming and serve as a facilitator of multi-disciplinary collaborations. The teaching expectations will include a 3-credit class (to be negotiated with Fisheries and Wildlife leadership) that potentially includes lecture and a lab each academic year. The successful candidate is expected to engage in collaborative research, but supporting a large research laboratory is not an expectation. Lastly, the successful candidate will be expected to engage in department/college/university service and in service to their profession.
The selected candidate will provide leadership on IWR’s efforts to train users on tools developed for water management. Additionally, the candidate will work with faculty funded by IWR in developing outreach and engagement opportunities and connecting to relevant communications managers for marketing and promotion of these events. The candidate will also work to create and sustain linkages among the various faculty, staff, and units in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources that conduct water-related activities. These potentially include the Center for PFAS Research, MSU Extension units such as the Center for Lakes and Streams, Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute, Community, Food and Environment Institute, and Michigan Sea Grant Extension Program.
Required qualifications: An earned MS in limnology or an allied field (e.g., fisheries, aquatic community ecology, conservation biology) with specialization or experience with inland lakes and rivers. Effective communication (written and oral) with broad audiences (e.g., lake associations, professional conferences, the public) is essential. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team. Highly organized with attention to detail. Strong desire to collaborate with resource management agency personnel and other inland water stakeholders to confront applied resource management challenges. Commitment to advancing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Desired qualifications: PhD in limnology or allied field and/or more than two-years of experience in OE and/or programmatic implementation. Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and communicate OE programming with a focus on inland waters. Successful grant writing experience and experience teaching courses or workshops.
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars comprising >40 core faculty (tenure stream and fixed-term faculty, and academic specialists), 80 graduate and 240 undergraduate students, and about 30 research associates. Our mission is to build local, national, and international capacities to conserve ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, and society through integrated programs in research, education and engagement. We are committed to the integrative nature of natural resources conservation and management, with our expertise ranging from disciplinary areas with a long-standing history in the domain of fisheries and wildlife to those emerging more recently.
The Institute of Water Research is one of 54 federally designated water institutes created under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 and is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The IWR also receives ongoing support from MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension and is a member of the National Institutes for Water Resources. The Institute of Water Research at MSU is dedicated to developing science-based technology, research, educational programs, and partnerships to help understand and address critical water issues.
Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at https://worklife.msu.edu.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view Fisheries and Wildlife norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.
Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).
To Apply: For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu to job number 929126. Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position and statement regarding limnology and lake management interests highlighting how your experiences align with the position b) current curriculum vitae; “statement of your philosophy, experience, and interests in working on management-related questions on lake resources, and your philosophy and approach to teaching traditional and non-traditional audiences in a classroom and an outreach setting (2-page maximum); d) a description of how you will contribute to FW diversity, equity and inclusion goals; e) copies of official college transcripts; and f) contact information for at least three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on March 4, 2024 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Dan Hayes, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, [email protected].
MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life, and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.