SNRAS plans to add social-ecological systems, sustainability professor

UAF's School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences has an opening for a tenure-track faculty position in social-ecological systems and sustainability.

"This is an opportunity to connect with Alaska communities, Native organizations, federal and state agencies and NGOs," said Joshua Greenberg, department chair for SNRAS's Humans and the Environment. "This person will work to connect the social and ecological systems to the environment."

Rural Alaska is an intriguing place to visit and conduct research.

As the climate and economy change in rural Alaska communities, Greenberg said it's becoming more important to tie the existing systems to the environment to promote sustainability of the communities.

"Alaska provides a great place for investigating and a great location to look at how climate change, land use and economics are impacting rural communities," Greenberg said. "This person will help establish strategies to promote resilience and adaptation." He or she will be part of an interdisciplinary team.

"And they will get to experience the great outdoors that is Alaska."

The new position at SNRAS came about through an EPSCoR proposal. To apply, visit the UAF jobs site (Job posting #0067454). Applications will be reviewed beginning Dec. 1. The hope is to have the new assistant professor in place by fall semester 2014.

The assistant professor will:
• Investigate the interactions of climate change, land use change, and changing economies on rural Alaska communities with NSF Long Term Ecological Research programs.
• Mentor graduate students and work with the UAF Resilience and Adaptation Program.
• Establish an independent, externally funded research program
• Teach two courses per year, including one in sustainability science.
• Serve as a member of the NSF Alaska EPSCoR research team, which examines the adaptive capacity of human communities in changing Alaska environments.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the SNRAS faculty profiles.