Assistant Professor, Landscape Ecologist

The Opportunity

The Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a tenure track assistant professor, landscape ecologist (9-month appointment), anticipated to begin Fall 2025. We seek a broadly defined landscape ecologist, preferably with expertise in urban ecology. The successful applicant will have clear plans to: (a) develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program that supports graduate and undergraduate students; (b) collaborate with the UCF Arboretum (https://arboretum.ucf.edu) in a research and/or teaching capacity and serve as a link between the Department of Biology and the Arboretum & Sustainability Initiatives (ASI); (c) teach courses such as environmental studies and/or specialized ecology courses (e.g., urban, quantitative, Florida, landscape or community ecology); and (d) contribute to service. Teaching duties will include two courses per academic year in accordance with our current equitable workload policy.

The Department of Biology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology) has a Ph.D. in integrative and conservation biology and a master’s in biology. Facilities include a genomics core laboratory, on-campus animal husbandry and plant cultivation infrastructure, and multiple field stations.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in ten departments and schools, and several centers. Seven departments hold national rankings for best graduate programs. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

UCF is one of the most innovative public universities in the nation, as named by the U.S. News & World Report. UCF is a leading, metropolitan, research-intensive university with over 68,000 students. As part of our comprehensive traditional benefits, UCF offers support for expectant mothers, paid parental leave for both parents, on-site pre-school, and professional development and leadership training for all faculty at all career stages. The university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in biology or a related field from an accredited institution and postdoctoral training or relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to publish high-quality research and successfully secure external funding commensurate with research needs. Evidence of collaborating across disciplines and a desire to foster and build the existing relationship with the Arboretum & Sustainability Initiatives (ASI), support the growing student leadership program, and connect with other local and regional partners in conservation and land management is desired.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter that summarizes their qualifications and plans and specifically addresses how the candidate will fit the research/teaching/service needs of the department, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Lisa Chambers, Associate Professor, at lisa.chambers@ucf.edu. Please reference the Job Title in the subject line. 

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

01/23/2025

Note to applicants: We encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options. 
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment. 
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.