Assistant Professor of Plant Conservation and C.A. Taylor Herbarium Director

Published: November 2, 2023    Jobs, Museum Director / President, Teaching

South Dakota State University, Department of Natural Resource Management https://www.sdstate.edu/natural-resource-management

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM) is offering an exciting career opportunity as an Assistant Professor of Plant Conservation and C.A. Taylor Herbarium Director for a candidate with research in areas such as rare plants, plant population ecology, plant conservation, or plant systematics with special focus on plants in the northern Great Plains. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, benefit eligible position with a competitive salary and start-up package. The appointment encompasses teaching (50% time), research (40% time), and directorship of the C.A. Taylor Herbarium (10% time). The C. A. Taylor Herbarium is the oldest herbarium in the state and provides a critical historical link to our region as a national biodiversity resource, important to the study of current terrestrial plant communities in our state and beyond. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. graduate training programs and obtain competitive research funding to address research questions in their area of expertise. Candidates should have a background in (or keen interest in learning) the flora of the northern Great Plains, an ability to address applied questions related to conservation and management of terrestrial plants in the northern Great Plains, and knowledge of herbarium management. The preferred start date is August 2024.

The NRM Department is in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The department fosters a vibrant and highly collegial environment among 20 faculty members; three USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit Scientists; four Extension Field Specialists located throughout the state; approximately 305 undergraduates; and more than 50 graduate students and postdocs. NRM faculty lead regional, national, and international research programs, securing an average of $2.1 million in grants annually. Undergraduate students are trained through five programs: Conservation Planning and Park Management, Ecology and Environmental Science, Natural Resource Law Enforcement, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. The department also has research support facilities within one mile of campus and at Oak Lake Field Station, approximately 30 minutes away near White, South Dakota.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Sponsorship is not available for this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

SALARY:

The salary is commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $60 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access.  The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.  South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Completed Ph.D. in an area germane to plant conservation by position start date.
  • Knowledge of herbarium curation.
  • Commitment to excellence in teaching.
  • Record of research and scholarly activities with an emphasis on plant conservation and management (such as rare plants, plant population ecology, plant conservation, or plant systematics)
  • Experience collaborating with local, state, federal, NGO, tribal entities, or other stakeholders on plant conservation
  • Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials and publications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Postdoctoral or other post-graduate experience.
  • Publications related to plant conservation in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Demonstrated success in grant writing and procuring research funding.
  • Prior teaching at the university level with preference given to experience as instructor of record.
  • Experience working with heterogeneous groups of varying backgrounds and life experiences.
  • Clear evidence of leadership or co-production on grants, publications, or research with agencies (local, state, federal), NGOs, tribal entities, or other stakeholders.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota. The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school. The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center, and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by December 1st  2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy (two page maximum, attached as ‘other’), a research statement (2 page maximum, attached as ‘work sample’) and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact search chair, Dr. Lora Perkins at 605-688-4997 or Lora.Perkins@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodation required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:  Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD  57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.