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Assistant/Associate Professor of Aquatic Ecology (Tenure-Track)

Posted: 
07/19/2022
Expiration Date: 
08/15/2022

The George Mason University, Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), and its Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), are seeking an energetic and experienced individual for a full-time, 9-month, tenure track position at the Assistant/Associate Professor level beginning in January 2023 or August 2023.

George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is the largest, most diverse, and most innovative public university in Virginia with more than 38,000 students from all 50 states and over 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.

About the College:

George Mason University’s College of Science (COS) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

For more information on the College of Science, visit us online at http://science.gmu.edu

About The Center:

PEREC occupies about 20,000 ft at the waterfront Potomac Science Center located on the tidal Occoquan River in the Belmont Bay section of Woodbridge, Virginia, about 30 minutes from Mason’s Fairfax Campus. PEREC has an excellent infrastructure of research labs, teaching labs, support rooms, and offices with a team of nine faculty researchers from three College of Science (COS) Departments: five from ESP, two from Chemistry and Biochemistry, and two from Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences. The team has numerous collaborative research projects including the 38-year Gunston Cove ecosystem study and the more recent ecosystem study at Hunting Creek.

For more information on PEREC, visit us online at http://perec.science.gmu.edu.

Responsibilities/Duties:

We are interested in applicants who apply an interdisciplinary approach to address emerging issues in aquatic science which informs management of aquatic ecosystems in the mid-Atlantic region. Ideal applicants will have demonstrated research experience in algal ecology, plankton ecology, and/or macrophyte ecology in freshwater or estuarine environments. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in PEREC’s long-term ecological studies of Gunston Cove and Hunting Creek in the tidal Potomac River. The candidate’s teaching and research must complement current teaching and research in ESP. Teaching responsibilities will include Freshwater Ecology as well as other sophomore, upper level, and graduate lecture and/or laboratory course(s) in areas of the candidate’s expertise.

Additional duties include but are not limited to:

  • Participate in PEREC’s long-term ecological studies of Gunston Cove and Hunting Creek in the tidal Potomac River;
  • Maintain an independent extramural research program yielding publications in peer-reviewed journals;
  • Collaborate with other PEREC and ESP faculty in developing joint research proposals and activities;
  • Teach courses in aquatic ecology and other courses in the department depending on expertise and departmental needs;
  • Conduct normal academic duties of teaching, research, and service including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in research.

Required Qualifications:

  • Successful completion of a Ph.D. in environmental science, biology, botany, aquatic biology or related field prior to the first day of employment;
  • Demonstrated research experience in algal ecology, plankton ecology, and/or macrophyte ecology in freshwater and/or estuarine environments;
  • Interest in and ability to teach freshwater ecology at the graduate and undergraduate level;
  • Ability to share the department’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and research;
  • Record of scholarly activity demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish an independent, extramurally funded research program;
  • Commitment, experience, and interest in teaching lecture and laboratory courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students;
  • Effective interpersonal communication skills;
  • The ability to collaborate with other natural scientists and social scientists in research, teaching, and outreach.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with state-of-the-art approaches to aquatic ecology such as FlowCam, stable isotope studies, genomic analysis, continuous monitoring, and analysis of long-term data sets;
  • Experience in multivariate and univariate statistical approaches to analysis of field and laboratory data analysis;
  • Interest in applied aquatic ecology topics such as harmful algal blooms and/or invasive species;
  • Ability to communicate scientific knowledge to a broad range of stakeholders;
  • Knowledge of higher education practices and procedures.

About the Department:

As one of the academic units of COS, ESP is well known for its truly interdisciplinary faculty, focused on environmental and social sciences. ESP also includes additional graduate program faculty from across the university and numerous environmental professionals. The following degrees are awarded by ESP: B.S. in Environmental Science, B.A. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (in collaboration with the School of Integrative Studies), M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, and PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy. ESP has a strong commitment to the achievement of excellence among its faculty and staff and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich our academic and culturally inclusive environment. We are deeply committed to increasing diversity and encourage applications from women and minority scholars.

For more information about ESP, visit us online at http://esp.gmu.edu

NOTE: Review of applications will begin as soon as they are submitted and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by August 15, 2022. It is anticipated that zoom interviews for semifinalists will be conducted in early September, followed by on-campus visits by finalists.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at: https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/54265. Please complete and submit the online application including the following:

  • Cover letter;
  • CV;
  • Summary of past, current, and anticipated future research (2-3 pages);
  • Statement of research and teaching philosophy (2 pages);
  • Names, affiliations, and email addresses of professional references (at least three from academic institutions);
  • Diversity statement (please indicate past, present, and anticipated activities for promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity);
  • Candidates may want to include a COVID statement describing how the pandemic has affected their research progress (optional) (1 page).

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply at http://jobs.gmu.edu; complete and submit the online application; and upload (1) cover letter; (2) CV; (3) summary of past, current, and anticipated future research (2-3 pages); (4) statement of research and teaching philosophy (2 pages); (5) names, affiliations, and email addresses of professional references (at least three from academic institutions); (6) diversity statement (please indicate past, present, and anticipated activities for promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity); and (7) candidates may want to include a COVID statement describing how the pandemic has affected their research progress (optional) (1 page).

For Full Consideration, Apply by: 08/14/2022

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