Assistant Professor - Ecological Restoration/Wildlife Conservation

San José State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Ecological Restoration and/or Wildlife Conservation beginning in August 2026. The ideal candidate will teach courses across environmental science, conservation, restoration, ecology, and quantitative methods while building an active research program.

The successful applicant will mentor students and participate in School governance within the School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies; salary is commensurate

Qualifications

• PhD in Environmental Studies or a related natural science field focused on conservation, especially ecological restoration or wildlife conservation.

Responsibilities

• Teach a range of courses in environmental science, conservation, restoration, ecology, quantitative methods, and field research.
• Develop an active, funded research program and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Participate actively in School governance and contribute to a collaborative academic community.

Education

PhD in Environmental Studies or related field

Job description

Job no: 560559
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Position Rank and Title: Assistant Professor, Ecological Restoration and/or Wildlife Conservation

School/Department Name: School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $88,000 - $92,000

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August 17, 2027

Application Deadline: October 30, 2026 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for Assistant Professor, Ecological Restoration and/or Wildlife Conservation beginning in August 2026. We seek a teacher‑scholar in environmental conservation with expertise in ecological restoration, wildlife conservation, or closely related fields. The ideal candidate combines quantitative, applied research with inclusive, field‑based teaching. Areas of specialization may include restoration ecology, biological conservation, climate change ecology, ecosystem management, social‑ecological systems, biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)/Indigenous resource management. The successful applicant would be expected to teach a range of courses spanning environmental science, conservation, restoration, ecology, quantitative methods, and field research within the School, develop an active research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and participate actively in School governance.

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies’ programs encompass the undergraduate degrees of Environmental Studies (BA, BS), Geography (BA), and Global Studies (BA). Additionally, we offer Masters degrees in Environmental Studies (MS), Urban Planning (MUP), Public Administration (MPA), and Geographic Information Science (MS). Many graduates of our programs continue their connections with the School and form strong alumni ties to faculty and students. The interdisciplinary school creates a wealth of internship, conference, and full‑time job opportunities for our students. Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized experts in subjects including species conservation, social‑ecological systems, forest ecology, GIS, community development, water resources management, and energy justice. Information about School’s programs and faculty can be found on the following website: https://www.sjsu.edu/plan-policy-envs/]

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally‑sustaining, and academically‑affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset‑based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.

The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first‑generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher‑scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill‑building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Environmental Studies or a related natural science field focused on conservation, in particular ecological