Assistant or Associate Professor of Ecosystem Ecology

University of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alaska Fairbanks invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in terrestrial ecosystem ecology focused on boreal forest ecosystems. The 9-month, full-time role includes teaching two courses per year, leading an externally funded research program, and contributing to university and public service.

Rank is open to Assistant or Associate Professor with expertise in terrestrial ecology, including fire, isotope ecology, modelling, and peatland research, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• PhD in Biological Sciences or related field.
• Postdoctoral experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Teach two courses per year in Biology and Wildlife.
• Build and sustain an externally funded research program through the Institute of Arctic Biology.
• Provide service to the university, profession, and public.

Skills

Terrestrial ecology

Fire ecology

Isotope ecology

Modelling

Plant physiological ecology

Boreal forest research

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences

Job description

The Institute of Arctic Biology and the Department of Biology and Wildlife at the University of Alaska Fairbanks invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position in terrestrial ecosystem ecology relevant to boreal forest ecosystems. This is a 9-month (full-time) tenure-track faculty position with a 3-month appointment extension supported by external funding (if available). The position duties will consist of 40% teaching, 50% research and 10% service. The rank of hire is open to Assistant or Associate Professor, commensurate with experience and leadership interest. Candidates should have expertise in terrestrial ecology, including fire ecology, isotope ecology, modelling, plant physiological ecology, or northern peatlands, with an interest in researching the boreal forest. We are interested in candidates who are integrative with their research, collaborative, and work in research teams. Candidates who are interested in engaging with the leadership of the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research program are especially encouraged to apply.

The position will be jointly appointed with the Department of Biology and Wildlife in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the Institute of Arctic Biology. The successful candidate will initially teach two courses per year in the Department of Biology and Wildlife, build and sustain a ongoing, externally-funded research program through the Institute of Arctic Biology involving mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, and provide service to the university, profession, and general public.

To thrive in this position, the successful candidate will excel in balancing teaching, research, and service. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the curricula of Biology and Wildlife Department’s Biological Sciences and Wildlife Biology programs through excellence and innovation in teaching across undergraduate and graduate levels, in-person and online courses. We seek candidates who can teach in general ecology, ecosystem ecology, areas of ecology related to specialized expertise, and courses that incorporate undergraduate research experiences. For research, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain an externally funded research program addressing ecologically relevant topics, especially those related to boreal forest ecosystems and of relevance for the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research program. The successful candidate will contribute to service to the department and institute, the university, their profession, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in Biological Sciences or related field. Postdoctoral experience is preferred, but not required.

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are NOT eligible.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha’ campus in Fairbanks, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base appointment, FLSA exempt faculty position complete with a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be offered a competitive salary based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on November 9, 2026. Applications received prior to this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

*Finalists invited to an on-campus interview/visit will be required to give a research presentation during the visit. Feedback from faculty, staff and students will be considered.

REQUIRED application documents:

• -Cover Letter
• -Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• -Teaching philosophy, experience and interests statement (1-2 pages)
• -Research Statement including experience, research agenda and how your research will be relevant to Alaska (1-2 pages)

**Combine the Teaching and Research statements into a single document for upload

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://www.unitedacademicsak.org

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [e-mail].

The University of Alaska (UA) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA:(Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension)Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF:(Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus)Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS:(Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus)Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or [e-mail].