Professor of Forest Ecosystems

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Professor of Forest Ecosystems for a tenure track position in Lexington, KY. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a related field and a strong research record in forest ecosystem ecology. Responsibilities include conducting research, teaching courses related to ecosystem ecology, and providing service to the college. The role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to enhance the academic community and contribute to the institution's land-grant mission.
Requisition Number: FE04472

Working Title
Professor

Department Name: 81020:RESEARCH

Work Location: Lexington, KY

Type of Position: Faculty

Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track

Required Education: Ph.D. Degree in biology, forestry, plant sciences, natural resources, or a closely related discipline.

Required Related Experience: Successful candidates must have an exemplary scholarly record and demonstrated abilities as collaborator and student mentor in the broad field of forest ecosystem ecology.

Job Summary
We are seeking an interdisciplinary scholar and established leader who has a demonstrated record of success with regional, national, and international recognition in forest ecosystem ecology. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong ability and experience conducting multiscale (e.g., organism, community, landscape) research in both applied and theoretical aspects of forest ecosystem ecology. Areas of research pertinent to this position include, but are not limited to, empirical and mechanistic drivers of forest stand dynamics, ecophysiological responses of forests to biotic and abiotic stresses and anthropogenic disturbances, and process and function of forest ecosystems in the context of global system dynamics. Research on forest productivity as influenced by environmental controls on water, carbon and gas cycling are also desired. Expected teaching responsibilities include courses in ecosystem ecology that serve undergraduate and graduate programs in multiple areas within the college including but not limited to: Forestry and Natural Resources, Plant and Soil Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, as well as Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Additional teaching contributions may include undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with the successful candidate's area of expertise such as forest ecology, global change biology, biometrics, and/or other courses supporting graduate programs within the college. The candidate will also provide service to the college and university and support multidisciplinary programs.

The position is 85% research, 10% teaching, and 5% service, subject to annual evaluation and modification. The successful candidate will be expected to enhance the college's academic community and contribution to the institution's land-grant mission including building a nationally recognized research program, as demonstrated by success in acquiring extramural funding, publication in leading refereed journals, along with graduate student recruitment and mentorship. The college promotes an interdisciplinary environment with researchers in related fields fostering collaboration with college faculty in teaching and through research relating to diverse agricultural, forestry, environmental and natural resource issues.

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: The threefold land-grant missions of our college - teaching, research, and extension - serve the Commonwealth in different ways. We give students the skills to solve problems. We discover and deliver new knowledge and technologies through research and extension and our goal is to improve the lives of residents across Kentucky. Together, our faculty, students, staff, and alumni "grow ideas" and solve world problems. The college is comprised of 15 academic units with infrastructure to support vigorous research, teaching and extension programs. Included among these resources is the nationally recognized Robinson Forest, a 15,000-acre experimental forest in the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachian mountains.

The University of Kentucky is one of only eight institutions in the country with the full complement of liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural and medical colleges and disciplines on one contiguous campus. UK is also home to a world-class academic medical center on its campus. The university is home to nearly 34,000 students. The university is reaching historic rates for enrollment and graduation, with six-year graduation rates that rank among the best in the country, according to the most recent available data. UK's research enterprise is diverse and innovative, with more than $475 million in external grants and contracts. With more than 26,000 employees, including more than 3,400 faculty, UK is Kentucky's flagship university and a land-grant institution, as well as one of the state's largest employers. UK has a university commitment to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond, and that is why environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of the institution's legacy. The college is recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Goldlevel Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, and has been given a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) Silver Rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The university is geographically near downtown Lexington, which offers the vibrancy of an urban location while being near working landscapes and recognized wilderness areas. Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region. The university offers a variety of wellness and well-being programs. Additional information and updates to benefits can be found at: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.

Application Procedure:
Review of applications will start on March 10th, 2025 and posting will remain open until the appropriate individual is recruited. The human resources application website can be accessed via Human Resources at posting:https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/573067. If you have any questions, contact HR/Employment, phone (859) 257-9555 press 2or email: ukjobs@email.uky.edu.

Application materials should include:
• A letter addressing how your experiences make you a preferred candidate,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Three professional references with contact information who can address in their professional judgement your performance in advancing your scholarly field, significance of the venues in which you have been published, the grants you have been involved with, instructional accomplishments, and service performed.
• Please also indicate your reference relationship.

Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Chris Barton, barton@uky.edu.

An employment offer will be contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screening requirements and completion of final references. These requirements are comprised of a national background check and/or drug screen. Additional requirements could include health screening measures and/or a motor vehicle record check depending on your job responsibilities. Materials must represent and confirm that you are not aware of any threatened, ongoing, or past misconduct proceedings of any kind (including but not limited to research/scientific, financial, harassment, or other allegations) related to you or your activities. An offer is contingent upon and subject to this representation, and a failure of this representation will enable the University, at its sole discretion, to revoke the offer made. When warranted, offers of employment are contingent upon you securing and/or maintaining valid immigration/work authorization status throughout your employment. We also value the wellbeing of each of our community members and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn, and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients, and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity university. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and all interested and qualified people. Our coordinator is Tim West, S-105 Agriculture Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?: Yes

Open Until Filled
Yes

Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.