Assistant Professor of Avian Ecology
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 15, 2023
Most recent review date: Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Friday, Jan 26, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Department of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Avian Ecology with an emphasis in waterfowl conservation and management. This is an academic year (9-month), tenure track Assistant Professor position that includes an appointment in the California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Faculty members who hold an Agricultural Experiment Station appointment have a responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California Agricultural Experiment Station. Participation in outreach programs and performance of University service are also expected.
The appointee is expected to establish a competitively funded research program in avian ecology to address critical or emerging issues in waterfowl conservation and management. Natural wetlands have been reduced by over 90% in California, but agricultural and wetland habitats in the Central Valley—where UC Davis is located—still support one of the largest concentrations of migratory waterfowl during fall and winter in North America. The successful applicant’s research program will at least partially focus on developing conservation strategies for sustaining these habitats and the birds that depend upon them. The appointee will be responsible for teaching 2-3 undergraduate courses per year, including biology and conservation of wild birds (WFC 111/L) and ecology of waterfowl and wetland birds (WFC 136). Other possible courses may include wildlife ecology and conservation (WFC 10), natural history of California’s wild vertebrates (WFC 50), field methods in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology (WFC 100/101/L), or a course in the candidate’s area of expertise. The successful applicant will train and mentor graduate students and participate in graduate instruction within the Ecology, Population Biology, and/or Animal Behavior graduate groups. Participation in and development of public outreach and/or community engagement programs, and performance of departmental and university service is expected. This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors, partners in industry, federal/state agencies, non-governmental organizations, or other appropriate public stakeholders.
This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank, and the resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.
Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the Statement of Research as well as the Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review.
The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first-choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Professor, Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment, and Acting Professor of Law through Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for these faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for these faculty positions will be subject to reference checks.
Qualifications
Ph.D. or equivalent in a field of ecology, conservation or environmental science, natural resources management, or ornithology at the time of appointment, with expertise in waterfowl ecology, conservation, and management.
• Postdoctoral experience preferred.
• Evidence of leadership and organizational skills relevant to the development of a successful research, teaching and outreach program in the discipline of avian ecology with an emphasis on waterfowl conservation and management.
• Evidence of scholarship during graduate and post-graduate activities.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to obtain extramural support for research activities.
• Interest, understanding, and commitment to contributing to diversity and inclusion of groups that are underrepresented in the academy through extension education, research, and/or service.
o Statements of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be assessed by their general quality and the candidates’ awareness, contributions, and plans for future efforts related to diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to develop and instruct undergraduate and graduate courses and to present information to scientific audiences.
• Willingness and interest to advise undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated ability or potential and interest to mentor and train M.S. and Ph.D. students.
• Evidence of communication skills and collegiality consistent with effective departmental, campus and professional citizenship.
• Interest, understanding, and commitment to the objectives of a land-grant university and the Agricultural Experiment Station including mission-oriented research and a substantive outreach engagement programming.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. including publication list.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research
Statement of Teaching
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
Publication #1
Publication #2 (Optional)
Publication #3 (Optional)
Transcripts if within five years of Ph.D. degree (Optional)
Authorization to Release Form - The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first-choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Professor, Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment, and Acting Professor of Law through Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for these faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for these faculty positions will be subject to reference checks.
https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/your-resources/forms-and-checklists/forms/ARF.pdf
- 4 required (contact information only)
Help contact: dacrum@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
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As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

