Assistant Professor

Position Function

This is a 12-month, tenure track position consisting of a 100% Extension appointment (including applied research). This position is located at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, MS, and is administratively associated with the Coastal Research and Extension Center, with an academic home in the Department of Forestry. The primary function of this position will be to develop a science-based Extension program that addresses longleaf pine habitat restoration and general forest resource management educational needs. The successful applicant will also provide a statewide program of instruction in one or more areas of specialization in subject matters such as silviculture, ecology, forest health, fire ecology, restoration ecology, and forest management.

Salary Grade: UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile

Coastal Research and Extension Center serves as the coastal arm of Mississippi State University’s Research and Extension Programs. This position in based in Biloxi, MS at the Coastal Research and Extension Center, and will involve activities as its affiliated branch stations and county Extension offices.

Area Of Specialization

Longleaf pine habitat restoration and general forest resource management

Anticipated Appointment Date

January 1, 2024.

Tenure Track Status

Yes.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Duties will include the development of an Extension and applied research program targeting longleaf pine habitat restoration and general forest resource management issues.

This position will be based in Biloxi, but will require travel to county Extension offices, experiment stations, and other locations as needed. The successful candidate will work cooperatively with County Extension personnel as a resource.

The Assistant Professor will facilitate technology, research and educational transfer through appropriate training presentations, workshops, and in-service training sessions. The Assistant Professor will interact regularly with relevant stakeholders, including government and non-government agencies and organizations, who represent all facets of longleaf pine habitat restoration and general forest resource management issues to identify and facilitate timely applied research and Extension efforts addressing specific problems encountered by clientele. The Assistant Professor will maintain programmatic ties with other Extension State Specialists and other faculty in the Coastal Research and Extension Center and in the successful candidate’s academic home department to implement innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary educational programs as appropriate.

The Assistant Professor will ensure information transfer to stakeholders through on-site verification of research-based recommendations via use of appropriate technology. The individual will facilitate, coordinate and participate in Extension and applied research projects, demonstrations and other Extension and applied research activities in collaboration with Extension and government and non-government agency and organization scientists. The individual member will be expected to pursue and procure extramural funding in support of their Extension and applied research program. Furthermore, the Assistant Professor will demonstrate and present information and updates through effective program delivery by planning and participating in local, statewide, regional, national and international meetings. In accordance with an Assistant Professor appointment, appropriate scholarly publications (print and web based) including: web-based information sheets, popular articles in trade magazines and newsletters, refereed journal articles, and press releases will be published where appropriate. Considerable local and regional in-state travel will be required to ensure the most pressing needs of the programmatic area are met.

Service to relevant professional organizations and Mississippi State University is also expected. The Assistant Professor will actively participate in professional societies/organizations as well as appropriate CREC and academic home department committees. These activities should include involvement in coordinating ecological goals/objectives through collaborative "team" efforts with Specialists, Agents and research scientists. The Assistant Professor will have an active voice and display leadership in professional organizations and committees. In addition, the Assistant Professor should work actively in the community to educate the general public about forest management issues accomplished through a variety of displays, presentations and other media outlets throughout Mississippi. The successful candidate will be expected to work collaboratively with the Extension Program Development Team for Forestry.

Minimum Qualifications

An earned Ph.D. in forestry or closely related natural resources and environmental science field with a strong knowledge of longleaf pine habitat restoration and general forest resource management. Acceptable candidates must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, statistics, experimental design, and/or the scientific assessment techniques required to develop and deliver an applied research and Extension program and to fulfill job responsibilities.

ABDs Or Degree Pending Considered (all But DISS)

Yes.

Preferred Qualifications

Desired areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, silviculture, ecology, forest health, fire ecology, and forest management. Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications. Demonstrated record of extramural funding. Willingness to address critical and emerging forest management issues as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team. Those with expertise and experience with longleaf pine restoration and/or fire ecology will be given preference.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The individual should be self-motivated, fit well in a multidisciplinary team environment, and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to publish in the peer-reviewed literature.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Ability to work Indoors and outdoors in a range of weather conditions. Ability to obtain a valid MS driver’s license.

Instructions For Applying

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter, vitae, statement of research and Extension philosophy (statement should address candidate’s research and Extension philosophy, background, and vision for the position), copy of your transcripts with social security numbers redacted (redacted official transcripts will be required from the successful candidate), and names and contract information for three references.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:

Dr. James E. Henderson

Professor and Head

Coastal Research and Extension Center

1815 Popps Ferry Rd.

Biloxi, MS 39532

jeh149@msstate.edu

228-546-1000

Screening Date

September 18, 2023 until filled.

Restricted Clause

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.