Mid-Atlantic HERC

The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) invites applications from individuals who demonstrate vision for carrying out novel and innovative research and broadening participation in Fisheries Ecology. Researchers with interests in estuarine and or coastal systems, who are exploring questions related to sustainability, conservation, and global change biology are encouraged to apply. You will join one of the strongest Fisheries Ecology groups on the US East Coast with a rich tradition in advancing approaches and concepts that informs fisheries resource and protected species conservation and management. We offer outstanding access to field sites in Chesapeake Bay from a range of research vessels or from shore, state-of-the-art running seawater and environmentally-controlled laboratories, and a diverse array of instrumentation. Existing fisheries research at CBL includes work on species and questions relevant to Chesapeake Bay and coastal Atlantic habitats, but also to diverse ecosystems around the world. Much of our work is conducted with a strong institutional culture of collaboration within an applied, solutions-focused framework. We have firmly established ties providing over a hundred years of service and leadership to regional, national, and international management agencies. CBL fisheries faculty routinely provide expert advice on complex issues ranging from culturally and economically important regional fisheries to the management of transboundary, highly migratory stocks. A strong interest by applicants in continuing this service is preferred.

CBL is located in Solomons, Maryland, on the Patuxent River and is the oldest state-supported marine laboratory on the East coast. As a relatively small, independent research and education university within a sizable, highly respected public higher education system, UMCES offers both flexibility and outstanding institutional support to continue to play an outsized role in environmental research, education, and problem solving. As part of UMCES, CBL scientists are developing solutions to help guide our state, nation, and world toward a more environmentally sustainable and equitable future.

CBL and UMCES have research strengths in diverse areas of environmental science. Core areas of research at CBL include fisheries, estuarine ecology, geochemistry, toxicology, and statistics-data science; these are complemented by excellence in research in oceanography, watershed hydrology, landscape ecology, molecular biology, and science communication at the other UMCES research laboratories. The UMCES mission includes advancing world-class fundamental and applied research in the environmental sciences, promoting graduate-level education, furthering community engagement and science application, and providing reliable scientific information and scientific expertise to inform policy decisions at the State, regional, and national levels. Successful candidates will be encouraged to work collegially within both inter- and transdisciplinary frameworks involving colleagues from CBL, across UMCES's five additional institutions — Appalachian Laboratory, Horn Point Laboratory, the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, the Integration and Application Network, and the Maryland Sea Grant College, and other partners with different natural and social science traditions. All faculty are encouraged to contribute to UMCES's nascent Chesapeake Global Collaborative (CGC) initiative (https://www.umces.edu/chesapeake-global-collaboratory), which aims to use big data approaches to solve big problems by engaging diverse voices, and developing innovative tools and products.

UMCES is Maryland's Graduate University of the Environment and one of the twelve institutions of the University System of Maryland (USM). UMCES faculty are required to mentor graduate students, teach or co-teach graduate-level classes, and participate in collaborative application and outreach of science. Relatively light teaching loads at UMCES allow faculty to spend more time engaged with direct mentoring of graduate students and public engagement. There is a strong commitment to advance objectives in support of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice within CBL, UMCES, USM, and the state (e.g., RISE UPP PROMISE). CBL is committed to providing a wide range of networking, sponsoring, and mentoring opportunities for junior faculty.

Preference will be given to applicants at the tenure-track assistant professor level, but outstanding applicants at higher levels will be considered. This position is a 12-month appointment, with 12 months of annual salary guaranteed during the first two years; thereafter, 9 months of annual salary is guaranteed and 3 months of annual salary are to be made up through external grants. CBL offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

The successful candidate should have a demonstrated commitment to scientific excellence and productivity, the ability to establish a well-funded research program that aligns with the position description, interest in mentoring graduate students and teaching graduate-level courses, potential to collaborate with other CBL and UMCES faculty, and the ability to broaden participation and contribute to a campus climate of inclusivity. A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Fisheries Science, Ecology, or related fields is required.

Applicants should submit the following electronically via UMCES employment portal: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) statements of how their scientific and professional contributions (up to 2 pages) and experiences in teaching and education of graduate students (up to 1 page) align with the job ad and these hiring considerations; and (4) names of three references (including title, affiliation, telephone, and e-mail address). Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2024 and will continue until filled. This position will begin in/around Fall 2024. Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Ryan Woodland (woodland@umces.edu)