Assistant Professor

Department Profile:

The Department of Forestry is one of three departments in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University. The faculty have diverse teaching, research, and outreach expertise including forest biology and watershed management; forest economics, management, and policy; forest measurements, biometrics, and spatial technologies; and wood supply systems. The Department has two undergraduate degree programs, Forestry and Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation, accredited by the Society of American Foresters with ~200 students which includes ~40 graduate students in both on-campus and distance education programs. The University's John W. Starr Memorial Forest (a +8,000-acre research and teaching forest), the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tombigbee National Forest are located in close proximity to the University and are used for teaching, research, and extension/outreach activities.
Mississippi State University is a Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) institution and a land grant university with a strong connection to the state-wide Extension Service. The university is located in Starkville, a medium-size college town in northeast Mississippi (www.msstate.edu/web/about).

Area of Specialization:

Forest Resource Management and Economics

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2020

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure-track 9-month position

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include participation in the Department's teaching, research, and service activities. Teaching will include both undergraduate and graduate level courses in Forest and Natural Resource Management for on-campus and distance education programs. These courses focus on topics related to forest and natural resource management and planning across various spatial scales and forest landowner types, including large-scale forest managers and landowners (e.g., TIMOs and REITs) and small-scale nonindustrial, private forest (NIPF) landowners. The incumbent will have opportunities to develop additional courses as well. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an extramurally-funded research program in the specialized field of forest and natural resources management and sustainable forest resource utilization. Candidates with experience in working across the diverse forest landownership types and understanding their planning needs will be strongly considered. Service responsibilities will include participation in department, college, and university activities; developing strong mentoring programs for undergraduate and MS and PhD graduate students; and interacting with constituents and professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. with a specialization in forest resource management and economics, forest management planning, harvest scheduling, or closely related fields. All but dissertation (ABD) applicants will be considered. Rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

(ABD) applicants will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred candidates should have a strong record of scholarly publications, potential to secure extramural funding, and demonstrated experience in teaching both traditional and distance learning courses. At least one degree from an accredited professional forestry or natural resources-related program is preferred. Strong candidates will have an extensive background in linear and other mathematical programming techniques including heuristics, as well as economics, forest regulation, forest growth and yield modeling, and risk and financial decision making.

Instructions for Applying:

Screening of applicants will begin October 15, 2019 and will continue until a suitable applicant is found. Applications must be made through the Mississippi State University Employment opportunities website via the link http://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/ (PARF Number 499177). Applicants should also send (in a single pdf) a letter of application, curriculum vita, copies of transcripts (for all degrees)(please redact social security number if it appears on transcript), a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and complete contact information for three professional references to:

Dr. Steve Grado (s.c.grado@msstate.edu)
Chair, Forest Resource Management and Economics Search Committee
Department of Forestry
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9681

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by 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.