MSU-Bozeman Tenure Track Faculty Position Vacancy Announcement

Montana State University
Bozeman

Tenure Track Faculty Position
Vacancy Announcement
September 28, 2012 *Updated Additional Requirements*

Assistant Professor in Ecological Modeling
Institute on Ecosystems (Joint Appointment)

Search Number	12251-2

Appointment	Full-time (1.0 FTE) tenure track, academic year appointment.

Salary	Competitive salary and generous start-up package including technical support.

Benefits	Eligible

This is a joint appointment with the Institute of Ecosystems and a home department determined at the time of hire. Academic year, tenure track position (55% research, 35% instruction, 10% service).

Community Information	Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 14,000 students, including approximately 1,900 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 108 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation. MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. The local airport is served by seven national airlines with over twenty flights a day to nine cities. Named an All American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Powder Magazine identified Bozeman, with "three distinctly different" major ski resorts within an hour's drive, as the number one place to live and ski in its November 2010 Magazine. Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dreamtowns - small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America's most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

Duties and Responsibilities	Montana State University has an opening for an Assistant Professor in Ecological Modeling through a joint appointment in the Institute of Ecosystems and a home department determined at the time of hire. The faculty member will be responsible for developing and maintaining an extramurally funded, nationally recognized research program and teach in their area of expertise within the area of ecological science. Applicants with interests in, but not limited to, the response of terrestrial vegetation to environmental change in mountain and high plains systems; understanding regional responses and feedbacks to global change; and/or model-data comparisons and model-data fusion approaches that draw on paleo, modern and remotely sensed observations are encouraged to apply. The faculty member will participate in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of specialization and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. The faculty member will also be responsible for providing service to the university and scientific community as well as integrating research, teaching, and service.

Required Qualifications	Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Computational Biology, or a related discipline. Post-doctoral experience in ecological modeling with a focus on vegetation. Potential to establish an externally funded, competitive, and independent research program. Demonstrated ability to conduct and publish high-quality and original research, as indicated by publication in peer-reviewed journals. Demonstrated or potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring. Demonstrated ability or potential to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams including those in the Montana EPSCoR Program. Evidence of excellent writing/oral/teaching skills.

Preferred Qualifications	Demonstrated ability or potential to develop a state-of-the-art research program using systems ecology approaches to study the ecological impacts of climate change on vegetation composition and function, including threshold effects. Demonstrated experience in the use of modeling approaches to answer important questions about terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. Ability to combine theory, field measurements, and modeling to understand effects of climate change at multiple scales including the regional to sub-continental scales at which many responses to climate change occur. Potential to develop a research program that complements and expands current Department and IoE research initiatives. Demonstrated ability or potential to work with diverse students and colleagues and contribute to the intellectual diversity of the university and IoE.

Additional Requirements	In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Application Deadline	Screening of applications will begin on December 10, 2012 and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Application Procedure	To apply, submit the following: (1) A letter of application addressing all of the above required and preferred qualifications, and (2) A current curriculum vitae, and (3) Selected reprints, and (4) A summary statement concerning research plans, including grant proposals planned, and (5) The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three current professional references. An application packet addressing all the above requirements and qualification as listed is highly encouraged. Missing materials and information may not be requested and may result in your application not being considered for the position. Electronic submissions in PDF format are preferred, and must have the applicant's signature on the letter of application. For electronic submittals, please indicate "Applicant - Search #12251-2" in the subject line of the email. Submit materials to: Search Committee Chair Institute on Ecosystems Montana State University PO Box 173490 Bozeman MT 59717-3490 (406)994-2374 diane@montana.edu In order to receive Veterans Preference during the application review process, it is highly recommended that the required forms are included at the time you submit your application materials. Click here for the forms and information regarding Veterans Preference. Important note: Your preference form is submitted to a different location than your application materials. A DD214 is not a required document.

Posted	09/28/12dml; updated 11/28/12

Montana State University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution. 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, national origin (ancestry), sex, sexual preference/orientation, marital or parental status, age, creed, religion or political belief, mental or physical disability or status as a veteran. 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. 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 or request accommodation, contact the Office of Human Resources, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; hrpp_forms@montana.edu.