AssistantAssociate Professor of Mammalian Conservation Ecology

Job Description

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Mammalian Conservation Ecology. We seek a collaborative scholar and educator whose work advances understanding and conservation of mammals and strengthens the departments core missions in biodiversity conservation and experiential education.

The successful candidate will develop an internationally visible research program in mammalian conservation ecology. The candidate should have a strong track record studying the conservation and ecology of wild mammal populations with research addressing contemporary socio-environmental challenges such as climate change emerging infectious diseases invasive species and habitat loss. The Department and the University are highly collaborative environments creating the opportunity for diverse collaborations across Virginia Tech and with state and federal natural resource agencies conservation organizations and other partners. The position is envisioned as approximately 25% teaching 65% research and 10% service.
Teaching and Mentoring Expectations

The department boasts a high-quality teaching environment that emphasizes modern pedagogical techniques and ample experiential learning opportunities. Teaching will include a 1:1 teaching expectation including FIW 4334 Mammalogy a high-enrollment field-oriented course central to the Wildlife Conservation curriculum. During the first two years the faculty member is also expected to develop or contribute to a graduate course in their area of expertise and as the appointment matures contribute (e.g. team teach) to general education or other high-demand undergraduate courses. The faculty member will mentor undergraduate researchers and M.S. and Ph.D. students and provide field-based experiential learning opportunities.

Research Scholarship Extension and Engagement Expectations

The successful candidate will establish a highly productive externally funded research program that supports graduate students and produces high-quality peer-reviewed scholarship. Expectations include publishing impactful research in respected peer reviewed journals. The candidate will be expected to apply for McIntire-Stennis (USDA NIFA capacity grant) funding in the first year. The candidate should pursue annual external funding from appropriate federal and state agencies and foundations including opportunities through NSF U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service U.S. Forest Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Department of Defense the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as well as state wildlife agencies in surrounding states or beyond. Externally-funded research should contribute to science-based wildlife conservation and management and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across the department and Virginia Tech.

Required Qualifications

-Ph.D. in wildlife science ecology biology zoology natural resources forestry range management or a closely related field by appointment start date.
-Demonstrated expertise in mammalogy and mammalian conservation ecology.
-Evidence of potential for excellence in university teaching field-based instruction and student mentoring.
-Evidence of strong potential to develop a productive externally funded research program and peer-reviewed scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications

-Postdoctoral or comparable professional research experience.
-Experience with modern quantitative geospatial field laboratory technological and/or experimental techniques relevant to mammalian conservation ecology.
-Demonstrated ability to collaborate with natural resource agencies conservation organizations and/or interdisciplinary research teams.
-Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/15/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Applicants should submit:

1. A cover letter (not to exceed one page) describing their interest in the position
2. A curriculum vitae
3. A combined teaching mentoring and research statement (not to exceed three pages) describing their professional program
4. Names and contact information for three professional references

Additional materials may be requested as the search progresses.

Inquiries should be directed to the Search Committee Chair Bill Hopkins at

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.