Assistant Professor in Forest Operations – University of Georgia, Athens, GA

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a 9-­‐month (0.75-­‐EFT), tenure-­‐track, 50% teaching, 50% research appointment offered at the rank of Assistant Professor.   This position reports directly to the Dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (Warnell School) and is located in Athens, GA.  The successful candidate will be expected work with Langdale Center faculty to continue and expand a nationally recognized program in forest operations within the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business (www.ugacfb.com).   He/she will develop an active and extramurally funded research program that may include forest harvesting, supply chain management, and/or wood procurement applications.  Individuals with experience in applied research in forest operations or in management or procurement in the wood supply chain are especially encouraged to apply. 

 The successful candidate will also be expected to provide quality instruction for a range of classes to help maintain the accreditation of the forestry major by the Society of American Foresters.  Specifically, the incumbent will serve as the primary instructor for an undergraduate/graduate course in forest harvesting and roads each fall semester and will collaborate in teaching a week of a forestry field course each May focused on forest operations.  Other teaching duties will include offering a graduate course in the candidate’s area of expertise and assisting with required courses as assigned in the undergraduate forestry major.  The successful candidate is expected to advise/mentor undergraduate and graduate students, direct and serve on graduate student committees, serve on School/University committees, actively participate in professional/scientific societies, and constructively interact with the Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Forestry Commission, and other appropriate forestry groups.   

QUALIFICATIONS:   Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in forest operations, forest engineering, forest business, or in a closely related quantitative forest resources-­‐based discipline.  One forestry degree from an SAF accredited forestry program is required.   Evidence of successful instruction and research productivity with the potential to attract external funding is required.  The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with other faculty and with external constituents in forest industry and trade associations. The candidate must also demonstrate an ability and willingness to successfully mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

THE STATE & UNIVERSITY: Georgia is well known for its quality of life, both in terms of outdoor and urban activities.  The University of Georgia (www.uga.edu) is a land/sea grant institution comprised of 16 schools and colleges that is located <90 miles from Atlanta. Enrollment is about 35,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.  The Warnell School is a professional school with 57 faculty, 350 undergraduates, and 190 graduate students (www.warnell.uga.edu).  The School offers Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources, Master of Forest Resources, Master of Natural Resources, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the areas of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, and Water and Soil Resources.  The School has a 740 acre (300 hectare) forest <10 minutes from campus and 23,000 acres (9,200 hectares) of forestland across the state for teaching and research.  Georgia has a large and globally competitive forest products industry that contributes nearly $30 billion annually to the state’s economy.

APPLICATION:  To ensure full consideration, candidates must submit a single PDF file including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of teaching philosophy and research interests, unofficial transcripts of all college-­‐level work, and contact information for three references by July 15, 2015.  Individuals selected for our short list will be required to submit official college transcripts and three letters of reference.  University policy requires all candidates to consent to a background investigation (www.hr.uga.edu).  Finalists will be required to provide a signed consent form authorizing the University to conduct a background check.  The background investigation will be conducted on a post offer/pre-­‐employment basis.  The starting date is negotiable, but January 1, 2016 is preferred.  Send applications electronically as a single PDF file to:  Dr. Robert L. Izlar, Chair, Forest Operations Search Committee, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA  30602-­‐2152 (bizlar@uga.edu).  

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.