Working/Functional Title
Assistant Professor - Water Quality and Climate
Position Summary
Assistant Professor - Water Quality and Impacts of Climate Change
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full-time, 9-month tenure system Assistant Professor with a 50% research, 30% teaching, 10% extension, and 10% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.
The individual selected for this position will be expected to develop a regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized program centered on water quality and freshwater ecosystems in the context of climate change addressing adaptation, mitigation, management, sustainability, or conservation.
Key areas of interest for this selected candidate could include:
- Applied Water Quality Research. Conducting field studies addressing relationships between climate, environmental conditions, land use, and water quality.
- Climate Impact Assessment. Analyzing data and modeling results to identify vulnerabilities and potential risks to water quality and freshwater ecosystems.
- Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy Development. Developing and working with stakeholders, implementing climate adaptation strategies for water quality and freshwater ecosystems associated with resource management, considering the needs of urban and rural communities.
Position Duties. This position includes primary assignments in research (50%) and teaching (30%), with additional responsibilities in extension and outreach (10%) and leadership and service (10%). The successful candidate will teach two courses annually consistent with their areas of expertise and departmental needs. The Fisheries and Wildlife undergraduate and graduate curricula can be viewed at https://canr.msu.edu/fw/. In addition to classroom teaching, we expect the candidate to contribute to undergraduate and graduate student mentoring. The candidate will secure funding from diverse sources, including federal agencies, to support a vibrant research, outreach, and engagement program aligned with our departmental mission. The candidate's program will be positioned to work with, and support, the needs of external local, state, and national partners, such as Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Michigan State University Extension (Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Center for Lakes and Streams); Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs); National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; the United States Geological Survey; or the Nature Conservancy.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -water resources, aquatic ecology, biological or environmental microbiology, water chemistry, or a closely related field
Minimum Requirements
- An earned Ph.D. in water resources, aquatic ecology, biological or environmental microbiology, water chemistry, or a closely related field, with expertise in the monitoring, identification, characterization, and/or toxicology of chemical, physical, or biological constituents in water, focusing on water quality impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
- Evidence that the candidate will contribute substantial scholarship in climate impacts on aquatic systems (e.g., will obtain grants and publish in areas related to the position).
- Evidence of ability to implement high-impact, evidence-based teaching and learning practices for undergraduate and graduate education.
- Evidence of ability to engage productively with partners and community stakeholders through collaborative outreach, engagement, and Extension work.
- Evidence the candidate will promote a commitment to creating a sense of belonging.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience managing and analyzing large climate, hydrology and water quality data sets.
- Experience with ecosystem modeling.
- Experience with grant writing and management.
- Postdoctoral experience or other post-PhD professional work experience in the general area of water quality, water resources, aquatic ecosystems and/or management.
- Ability to lead and contribute to diverse and interdisciplinary teams.
Required Application Materials
Upload the following required documents:
a) A letter of application (2-page maximum) describing how your interests, background, and professional experience match the job description.
b) A vision statement for the position (2-page maximum), explicitly linking to the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU (available here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/about/).
c) A teaching and student mentoring philosophy (1 page maximum).
d) An explanation (2-page maximum) of how you will contribute to CANR’s positive culture, fair access to resources and to creating a sense of belonging.
e) current Curriculum Vitae, and
f) Names and contact information for 3-5 professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Special Instructions
Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on April 15, 2025, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Joan B. Rose, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, ([email protected]; 517-432-4412).
Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).
Review of Applications Begins On
04/15/2025
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/
Department Statement
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars including approximately 50 core faculty, 20 postdoctoral research associates, 100 graduate students, 240 undergraduate students, 7 core staff, and 25 research/center/program staff. 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.
Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging
Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
Michigan State University is dedicated to achieving excellence by fostering an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly
