Asst. Professor & Extension Specialist Aquatic Resource Ecology & Management - Oklahoma State University
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time, 11-month, tenure-track position, with a 75% Extension and 25% teaching appointment. The successful applicant will work within the broad area of aquatic resource ecology and management, which may include aspects of pond and stream management, fish ecology, aquaculture, and terrestrial-aquatic interactions, all in the agriculturally dominated landscape of Oklahoma.
Extension Component (75%): The mission of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate information to the people of Oklahoma and encourage the adoption of research-generated knowledge. The faculty member will provide leadership in planning, implementing, and continually evaluating a state-wide Extension education and outreach program in aquatic resource management. Program emphasis will include management of pond and stream ecosystems, including conservation of aquatic biota. Audiences will include natural resource professionals, private landowners, interest groups, and the public. This position will provide continuing education programs and support for Extension personnel, Tribal partners, local, state, and Federal agencies, management professionals, and the public. The faculty member will be expected to collaborate with other faculty and stakeholders and to seek and secure external funding to support their Extension program.
Teaching Component (25%): The faculty member will be expected to teach approximately 2 to 3 courses per year using high-impact pedagogical approaches. Courses may be undergraduate and/or graduate courses supporting the Natural Resource Ecology & Management majors and enhancing the undergraduate Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology option. Other teaching-related expectations may include mentoring undergraduate students, recruiting, mentoring and training graduate students, advising student organizations, and representing the NREM department at undergraduate recruiting events.
Service Component: Service is an important component of this tenure-track position and is assumed to be a part of the Extension and teaching appointment. The faculty member will be expected to serve on Departmental, Division, and University committees appropriate to interests, responsibilities, and organizational mission, and provide service to professional and scientific disciplines (serving on society committees, manuscript reviews, proposal reviews, etc.).
Research Component: Research is not an explicit component of this job description and thus will not be expected as part of annual reviews or tenure evaluations. However, the faculty member is encouraged to work collaboratively with research faculty in the NREM department and the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, or other departments and universities, to conduct nationally recognized, externally funded research that incorporates aspects of aquatic resource ecology and management. Collaborations where the faculty member can help combine research and Extension efforts are particularly encouraged and valuable.
Qualifications
Qualifications include: 1) a Ph.D. in fisheries, aquatic ecology, biology/zoology, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science or similar at the time of appointment, 2) demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and the potential to conduct educational programs in aquatic resource management, 3) ability and desire to work collaboratively with NREM faculty, faculty in other departments or universities to address Extension, teaching, and research goals, and 4) ability and interest to work with aquatic resource and other natural resource agencies and professionals.
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with education, training, and experience.
Procedures: Applications must be submitted online at: https://jobs.okstate.edu. Candidates should submit: 1) a letter of application that includes a description of the applicant's Extension and teaching philosophy, 2) a complete CV that includes: background, education, experience, and a list of extension and research publications and any received extramural funding, 3) academic transcripts, and 4) contact information for three (3) references. Questions can be directed to Dr. Dan Shoup, daniel.shoup@okstate.edu. Review of applications will begin 11/12/2025 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The position will ideally be filled in 2026 with a negotiable start date. Continuation of this position is subject to performance and need.
Apply here: https://jobs.okstate.edu/home
About the Department, Division, University, and Stillwater: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is comprised of 23 faculty members with expertise in fisheries, forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources, plus 12 administrative and research support staff. More than 50 master’s and doctoral graduate students are advised by NREM faculty, and we serve over 230 undergraduate students. The Department is also the administrative home of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. For more information about the department, visit http://nrem.okstate.edu. To learn more about OSU Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Stillwater: https://agriculture.okstate.edu, https://agresearch.okstate.edu, https://extension.okstate.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity: https://www.okstate.edu, https://www.visitstillwater.org, https://www.stillwaterchamber.org, Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions.