Assistant / Associate Professor

The Division of Biology at Kansas State University invites applications for a tenure-track, nine-month position at the Assistant / Associate Professor level broadly focused on ecohydrology of grassland ecosystems. We seek an individual who has a commitment to work with a wide range of constituents on water issues important to the state of Kansas, and complementary to the research programs currently underway. We encourage applicants whose ecohydrological expertise will complement our current research strengths in linking aquatic and terrestrial natural ecosystems. Potential areas of expertise could include: riparian ecosystem function, linking groundwater to climate change mediated by biota, watershed ecosystems, or hydrology and biogeochemistry.

This position is one of several water-related thematic team hires that will join K-State. Each of these positions will hold a scholarly connection to the Kansas Water Institute and will join an interdisciplinary cohort of water-related faculty with the opportunity to collaborate on research, teaching, and engagement. The Kansas Water Institute develops and supports interdisciplinary research, teaching, and engagement on high-priority water resource problems and objectives identified through the state water plan. The Institute also facilitates effective communication between water resource professionals and helps share and apply research results.

The appointee will be expected to establish an extramurally funded research program, deliver high-quality undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring. Courses taught might include ecohydrology, ecosystem responses to climate change, riparian ecology, macrosystems ecology, watershed modeling and/or experiments, or methods-based classes. The position includes a competitive salary and start-up package with an anticipated start date corresponding with the 2025/2026 academic year.

We are a strong group of highly collaborative faculty members with research interests related to water quantity and quality within the faculty at Kansas State University. Relevant researchers have active programs encompassing whole watershed approaches to aquatic/terrestrial interactions, critical zone science, climate change and land use impacts ecosystem processes, plant water relations, stream geomorphology, groundwater hydrology, and intermittent stream ecology; for more information on Biology faculty research interests see www.ksu.edu/biology. The Division is a large and diverse unit with an excellent record of research productivity and funding. Relevant faculty members are also found associated with the undergraduate inter-disciplinary Environmental Science program, the Natural Resources Environmental Sciences Secondary Major, other departments across campus, and Konza Prairie Biological Station. Moreover, the successful candidate will have opportunities to connect with many other water researchers at K-State through our newly established Kansas Water Institute.

Kansas State University (www.ksu.edu) is located in the city of Manhattan (www.ci.manhattan.ks.us), a welcoming community of about 50,000 individuals in the Flint Hills of north central Kansas, 2 hours from Kansas City. The Konza Prairie Biological Station (www.konza.ksu.edu), located 10 miles from the university, is a world-class field station focused on understanding the long-term ecological dynamics of tallgrass prairie. Konza Prairie provides numerous opportunities for environmental research, serves as a platform for local, national, and international scientists, and is the site of an NSF-funded long-term ecological research program.

This role is expected to be performed on-site

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent at the time of appointment is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postdoctoral training and teaching experience in a relevant biological discipline and an established record of research productivity are required.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with professional colleagues, as well as with undergraduate and graduate students.
• Excellent technical, organizational, verbal and written communication skills.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment

Please submit the following documents in PDF format:

1. A cover letter (2 page maximum), including a list of three references with full contact information.
2. A curriculum vitae,
3. An overview of current and future research interests (2 page maximum), and
4. A statement of teaching interests and qualifications (2 page maximum).

Inquires about the position should be directed to the Ecohydrology Search and Dr. Walter Dodds (wkdodds@ksu.edu) with the subject line: Ecohydrology Faculty Search.

Screening begins on 10 February 2025 and continues until position is filled.

$78,000 - $105,000 Annually