Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department: Assistant Professor- Coastal or Marine Ecologist (Initial Review 10-14-24)
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Professor: Coastal or Marine EcologistApplication Window
Open date: August 13, 2024
Most recent review date: Monday, Oct 14, 2024 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: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 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 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a tenure-track position in coastal or marine ecology at the assistant professor level. We seek researchers who address questions of broad ecological interest in coastal or marine ecosystems.
Ideal candidates will have expertise in one or more of the following research areas: ecological resilience and persistence; population and community ecology; field ecology; testing solutions to global change; mitigating biodiversity loss, overexploitation, ecosystem health, or other human-driven challenges within coupled social-ecological systems. This research expertise may span basic or applied ecology, evolution, field science, and coastal science or policy.
Primary responsibilities include establishing and maintaining an active, externally-funded research program, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses using inclusive practices, and mentoring students and early-career researchers. Teaching and mentoring commitments will be split between the EEB Department’s majors (Biology B.A., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology, and Plant Science), and UCSC’s Coastal Science and Policy (CSP) program. The search committee will seek candidates who place a strong emphasis on using experiential, field-based teaching pedagogies in their teaching commitments as indicated in their teaching statements. In addition to holding a faculty appointment in EEB, the hired applicant will also be a core faculty member of the CSP program.
The faculty of EEB at UCSC are a group of collegial, collaborative, and engaged scientists who take a concept-driven and integrative approach to understanding the biology of organisms across the diversity of life. Consequently, our core strength comes from purposeful integration across several biological and conceptual axes: i) ecology, evolution, and organismal biology; ii) terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems; iii) field studies, lab experiments, and theory. Our work across basic and applied science informs conservation, management, and policy, and fosters societal recognition for the importance of discovery. Our research and teaching are firmly grounded in the natural history of organisms, and benefit from the extraordinary diversity of species and habitats on and surrounding the UCSC campus. We advocate for equity, anti-racism, and inclusion in every facet of our work.
UCSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to hiring faculty who will work to advance these values. UCSC is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), with high proportions of first-generation and low-income students. We welcome candidates who can articulate and address the barriers facing marginalized groups in higher education, and who have a demonstrated track record in advancing inclusion in teaching, mentoring/supervision, research, and/or service. Activities promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion will be recognized as important during the faculty promotion process. For more information please refer to the APO Diversity Resources web page.
The chosen candidate will be expected to sign a statement representing that they are not the subject of any ongoing investigation or disciplinary proceeding at their current academic institution or place of employment, nor have they in the past ten years been formally disciplined at any academic institution/place of employment. In the event the candidate cannot make this representation, they will be expected to disclose in writing to the hiring Dean the circumstances surrounding any formal discipline that they have received, as well as any current or ongoing investigation or disciplinary process of which they are the subject. (Note that discipline includes a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve a matter related to substantiated misconduct.)
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: https://www.eeb.ucsc.edu
The Coastal Science and Policy Program: https://csp.ucsc.edu/
Qualifications
Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in ecology and evolutionary biology or a related field. It is expected that the degree requirement will completed by June 30, 2025.
For applicants who do not possess a Ph.D. when they submit their applications, they must document in their application materials (e.g., c.v., cover letter, etc.) that their projected date for completing their degree will be on or before June 30, 2025.
Application Requirements
Please be aware that the search committee will conduct a preliminary screening of the applications, which will be based only on the statements on (1) contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, (2) teaching and mentoring, and (3) research. The Search Committee will be referring to these rubrics (DEI, Research, Teaching/Mentoring, in these initial reviews for each statement.
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Preliminary Screening Document) - This statement (up to two pages, including citations) should have three separate explicitly labeled sections, that cover 1) your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups, 2) your past contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and professional or public service, and 3) your plan for future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion at UCSC through teaching, research, and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review the UCSC Senate Guidelines on Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statements before preparing their application.
Research Statement (Preliminary Screening Document) - This statement (up to three pages including citations) should have three separate, explicitly labeled, sections, that cover 1) your most innovative achievements, 2) your overall goals and vision for a research program at UCSC, 3) and the experience and qualifications that make you particularly well-suited to achieve those goals. If applicable, explanation of activities related to community engagement may be included in the research statement.
Teaching and Mentoring Statement (Preliminary Screening Document) - This statement (up to two pages including citations) should have three separate explicitly labeled sections, that cover 1) your previous formal (classroom, laboratory) teaching contributions and future teaching goals and your approach to using inclusive and effective practices in teaching, 2) your previous mentoring contributions and future mentoring goals as well as any inclusive and effective practices in mentoring and outreach, and 3) what courses you are interested in teaching in EEB and how your teaching and mentoring interests align with UCSC’s Coastal Science and Policy program.
Curriculum Vitae - The curriculum vitae (up to five pages) should include published papers and manuscripts accepted for publication (including preprints), proposals submitted and awarded, classes taught, students mentored, awards, and other relevant signs of preparation and recognition.
Cover Letter - Letter of application (up to two pages) that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
Research Paper (1 of 3 Required) - Provide a paper that represents one of your most innovative research achievements. Research achievements include contributions to teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted.
Research Paper (2 of 3 Required) - Provide a paper that represents one of your most innovative research achievements. Research achievements include contributions to teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted.
Research Paper (3 of 3 Required) - Provide a paper that represents one of your most innovative research achievements. Research achievements include contributions to teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted.
Research Paper - Provide a paper that represents one of your most innovative research achievements. Research achievements include contributions to teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted.
(Optional)Research Paper - Publication that demonstrates your knowledge of and accomplishments in teaching and mentoring, promoting DEI, and leadership and community engagement. Preprints or accepted (but still unpublished) manuscripts may be submitted.
(Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their referees (a minimum of three are required and a maximum of five will be accepted). The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Please note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.
Help contact: szak@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
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