Assistant Professor in Integrative Plant Biology, Division of Biological Sciences (DBS) and the Ecology and Evolution (EE) Graduate Program

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana’s career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ .  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*. 

Best place to live, teach, and conduct research in the U.S.: The Division of Biological Sciences (DBS) and the Ecology and Evolution (EE) graduate program at the University of Montana, Missoula (UM), seek a 10-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Integrative Plant Biology. We seek a plant scientist who addresses fundamental questions in ecology, organismal biology and/or evolution, especially one whose research integrates across scales of organization to understand how plants respond to and shape their biotic and/or abiotic environments. We are specially interested in a collaborative colleague who will help us advance our goal of increasing diversity and inclusivity, and who is interested in contributing to the research and educational initiatives in ecology and global change biology.

The Ecology and Evolution graduate program at UM is a program of national distinction and is committed to increasing diversity and inclusivity in our faculty, students and staff. The program has a highly interactive and collegial faculty with outstanding records of scholarship and external funding. We encourage and support faculty and students in the program to collaborate across UM and globally.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Contribute to our efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity in our faculty, students, post docs, and staff through research, teaching, service and outreach*
• Develop a vigorous, widely recognized, externally-funded research program
• Provide effective instruction and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students with diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Teach courses in the areas of botany, ecology, or global change biology, and related courses in an area of expertise at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Engage in DBS, EE and University service activities and other professional service

*Note: Diverse representation is critical in building vibrant research communities. We view the enhancement of DEI in our faculty, students and staff as an inherent responsibility of all faculty members rather than a unique portfolio for this position. We welcome contributions in whatever form best represents the successful candidate as a scientist, educator and member of the community. As a result, we are open to a variety of creative solutions to ensure time and space to meet this commitment, including formal changes to effort allocation.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Biology, Plant Biology, Ecology, or related field of study at the time of appointment
• Demonstrated commitment to support and strengthen justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
• A strong record of research and scholarship in the field of Plant Integrative Biology, including publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and/or effective mentorship of graduate or undergraduate students from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds
• Experience communicating effectively with students, professionals, and the general public
• Evidence of working collegiality with students, staff, faculty, and/or external stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-doctoral research experience and training, or equivalent.
• Experience in developing competitive externally-funded grants

About the University of Montana

The University of Montana is one of the nation’s outstanding public universities, committed to liberal arts education, research, and strong professional programs. UM is located in Missoula, a small city located between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and near five wilderness areas in the northern Rocky Mountains. Missoula is a welcoming and livable college town boasting rich recreational and cultural opportunities, and was named one of Outside magazines “top-25 best towns ever”. Scientists and students have access to research facilities including the ECOR Plant and Insect Growth Facility, the UM Genomics Core Facility, the Flathead Lake Biological Station, the Field Station at Fort Missoula, the Lubrecht Experimental Forest and the Bandy Ranch Research Site. In addition, there is a strong non-University research community in the surrounding area, including scientists at the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, non-profit organizations, and tribal, state, and other federal agencies (e.g., USGS, NPS).

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.

In accordance with university policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice will be provided to the applicant.

Employment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How To Apply

Priority Application Date: November 27, 2022 by 11:59 Mountain Standard Time

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Apply online only at http://umjobs.silkroad.com. 

Upload the following materials: *Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please be concise and combine documents accordingly, and name documents starting with your last name (e.g. Sala_Cover; Sala_Statements; etc.).

• Cover letter (one-two pages maximum)
• Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and Diversity Statement: Two pages each, maximum. In the Diversity Statement, please outline the meaning of DEI to you and how it fits to your values; ways in which you prioritize and value diversity, equity, and inclusion in your research, teaching or outreach; ways in which your commitment to DEI manifests in your teaching, research or outreach; and future opportunities to increase DEI.
• A current curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information of four professional references
• Three to five representative examples of publications, collated into 1 pdf document

Inquiries pertaining to the announcement can be directed to Anna Sala, Search Committee Chair, anna.sala@umontana.edu .

Missoula, Montana, United States