Frances and Peter Swenson Endowed Chair in Rangeland and Restoration Research

Position: Tenure-track facultyposition (rank dependingon experience and qualifications), with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) in the Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences (RWSC) and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK). We seek an accomplished scholar to develop and lead an impactful and dynamic wildlife habitat restoration research program including collaborating with and supporting research needs of Texas Native Seeds, a statewide program developing native seed sources and native grassland restoration techniques throughout the state, contribute to undergraduate and graduate student academic growth using the best practices in teaching and mentorship, and extend results to stakeholders, society, and the scientific community. 

This endowed chair position includes expectations of developing an externally-funded research program focused on wildlife habitat restoration ecology (75%), teaching 1 graduate and 1 undergraduate level course (25%) per year, and will be a 9-month appointment with potential for summer salary. We welcome applications from professionals of all academic ranks. Initial salary and academic rank (assistant, associate, or full professor) shall be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead an impactful, dynamic, and extramurally-funded wildlife habitat restoration ecology research program commensurate with a 50% research appointment,
• Collaborate with Texas Native Seeds and support their growing native plant restoration research efforts in Texas (25%),
• Teach 1 graduate-level and 1 undergraduate-level courseannually (25%) to meet the needs of the Department,
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate studentsin research and professional development,
• Engage in professional service within the Department, College,and University as needed.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in restoration ecology, rangeland science, ecology, wildlife science, or related field from an accredited university.

• Evidence of innovative and applied research within wildlife habitat restoration ecology, demonstrated by a record of producing publications, presentations, and other scholarly materials.
• Ability to instruct courses in restoration science, incorporating new technologies and teaching techniques into classes. Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 18 graduate-level hours in restoration sciences, ecology, range and wildlife science, or ecosystem management.
• Demonstrated potential to attract extramural funding.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with students, professionals, lay audiences, and other scientists.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Experience conducting research on working lands.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated abilityfoster and sustain positive, working relationships with private landowners, other faculty,students, and state, federal, tribal, and private natural resource organizations.
• Postdoctoral experience which may include University teaching and research

TNS, CKWRI, RWSC, and TAMUK: Texas Native Seeds is a program under CKWRI that is made up of 15 full time employees separated into 6 project regions throughout the state. TNS and its partners have released and commercialized over 40 native plant varieties and have conducted over 100 native grassland restoration research plantings across the state. CKWRI is a privately funded research unit embedded within TAMUK that has provided science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of Texas wildlife and rangelands for over 40 years. The successful applicant will join an established and award-winning team of ~30 faculty and research staff who work with ~55 M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct innovative and applied research in partnership with numerous non-government organizations, state and federal agencies, and private landowners across the state. As faculty members of the RWSC Department, CKWRI’s scientists also mentor, educate, and provide hands-on experiences to ~150 undergraduate students, playing a critical role in developing the next generation of wildlife professionals. Faculty and students alike enjoy small class sizes at TAMUK, a small Hispanic-Serving Institution serving ~7,000 students and the oldest, continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas.