11:21 a.m.
Richard and Suzanne Belcher Endowed Chair in Environmental Sustainability
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University invites applications
for
the Richard and Suzanne Belcher Endowed Chair in Environmental Sustainability. The
position
is an academic-year, tenure-track appointment at the associate or full professor level
with
primary research and secondary teaching responsibilities.
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) at Purdue University is a leader
in
natural resource sciences. It consists of 35 faculty members, 49 administrative,
professional,
clerical, and extension staff, and 290 undergraduate and 87 graduate students. The
Department
currently has endowments exceeding $74 million that provide substantial resources used
to
support core departmental missions. The Department’s interests and expertise are diverse
and
encompass teaching, research, and extension. Purdue FNR aims to advance knowledge of
environmental, social, and natural resource sciences associated with the study,
conservation, and
sustainable management of ecosystems. Three undergraduate curricula are offered: aquatic
sciences, forestry, and wildlife. The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center,
the
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, and the Indiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife
Research
Unit are examples of federal-state-industry-university partnerships integrated within
the
Department. Purdue FNR is committed to inclusive excellence in all areas of faculty
effort,
including scholarship, instruction and engagement and promoting a diverse and equitable
internal
environment, as well as across the communities with which it interacts. The departments
strategic plan can be accessed at
https://ag.purdue.edu/department/fnr/_docs/strategic-plan-fnr-
2021-26.pdf.
Preferred Skills: Qualified candidates will have demonstrated internationally recognized
research accomplishments - as evidenced by high-profile publications and significant
grants -
related to environmental sustainability across spatial and temporal scales. Qualified
candidates
will have established a research and teaching program using advanced quantitative and
computational methods to improve our understanding of sustainability, biodiversity,
disease
ecology, invasive species, human-environment interactions, natural resource policy, the
impacts
of global change on ecological systems, or other closely related natural and social
sciences
research topics.
Responsibilities:
• Engage with agencies and organizations to develop partnerships that address emerging
environmental threats and collaborate on solutions.
• Lead an active, externally-funded research program in the candidate’s areas of
expertise, and
facilitate research and teaching integration across academic units.
• Mentor graduate students and postdoctoral research.
• Teach graduate and/or undergraduate course(s) in the candidate’s area of expertise.
Potential
exists for teaching distance courses.
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife, Forestry, Aquatic Sciences,
Geography, Environmental Sustainability, or a related field, and experience in
applications
germane to grand challenges of environmental sustainability.
The College:
The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s
leading
colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in
the world in
the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three
land-
grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and
perspectives
that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College of Agriculture and
the
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion
and
belonging. Our leadership, faculty, staff, and students are engaged in many efforts that
are
consistent with this commitment. The College has 11 academic departments and includes
309
faculty, 2889 undergraduate students, and 700 graduate students. The College’s current
strategic
plan can be accessed at Strategic Plan (purdue.edu). Purdue is an ADVANCE institution—
https://www.purdue.edu/advance-purdue.
Application Process:
Submit: 1) letter of application, 2) vision statement (a statement of research goals and
objectives
for this position, two pages maximum), 3) statement of teaching philosophy (two pages
maximum), and 4) curriculum vitae containing a complete publication list and the names
and
contact information for three professional references.
Application review will begin February 1, 2024 and continue until a suitable candidate is
found.
Questions may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Zhao Ma (via telephone at
765-
496-41790 or email zhaoma(a)purdue.edu). Applicants must apply electronically at
https://careers.purdue.edu/job-invite/29063/. A background check will be required for
employment in this position.
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women,
individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.