Research Professor in Sea Turtle Conservation at University of Miami in Miami, Florida

Job Description:

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Endowed Research Professorship in Sea Turtle Conservation


The Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation in the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is seeking applicants for an endowed research faculty position focused on sea turtle conservation. This is a non-tenure track position targeting candidates at the Research Assistant Professor level, with the possibility of Research Associate Professor or Research Full Professor appointments for exceptional candidates. The position emphasizes research and outreach/engagement, with some teaching and advising responsibilities. Candidates will be provided 9 months of salary for their first year, after which they will be expected to raise a portion of their 9 month salary from external funding sources (research grants and/or philanthropic gifts).


Established in 2023, the Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation is a new hub for interdisciplinary, solutions-oriented marine conservation research, education, engagement, and science communication within the Rosenstiel School. This position is part of a cluster hire for endowed research professors who will help launch the new Center and accelerate its growth and impact. Our current faculty are leading scholars whose work addresses pressing marine conservation challenges to advance ocean health, human well-being, and ocean justice in the South Florida region and globally.


We seek rising leaders in sea turtle conservation, broadly defined. Candidates may draw from diverse backgrounds in the natural, social, and/or Indigenous sciences and methodologies, including but not limited to: environmental physiology, marine ecology, conservation biology, governance, law, policy, anthropology, geography, economics, or other areas. Areas of focus may include, for example: human/cultural uses and values; impacts of anthropogenic stressors such as climate change, fisheries, coastal development, pollution, and/or offshore energy exploration and development on population dynamics and/or physiology; evolutionary ecology; effectiveness and/or social impacts of conservation policies/interventions such as nest beach protection, bycatch mitigation; novel uses of technology, such as biologging and remote sensing; disease/toxicology; genetics; ethics; governance, policy, or management; historical ecology.


The successful candidate will lead cutting-edge research on salient contemporary issues with applied links to policy, management, education and/or practice. Candidates must demonstrate strong research productivity and research partnerships, evidence of potential to secure extramural funding, and commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates will be expected to conduct impactful outreach and engagement with practitioner, community, and/or rightsholder groups relevant to their work, such as federal or state agencies, Indigenous communities, NGOs, citizen science groups, K-12 students, industry groups or others.


The Rosenstiel School is ideally located in a region with many opportunities for fieldwork, including several sites of national importance (e.g., in Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary). There are also numerous potential partners located in the region from public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors (e.g., NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida International University). The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in the Rosenstiel School and the rest of the University of Miami, including the NOAA funded Cooperative Institute For Marine And Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), and the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computation (IDSC).


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice are core to the Center's mission and work. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who would add to the long-standing goal of increasing diversity in the Rosenstiel School. We are especially interested in scholars who demonstrate evidence of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in research, teaching, and service.


The research professor will have a dual appointment between the Robert K. Johnson Center for Marine Conservation and one of two departments within the Rosenstiel School: either the Department of Environmental Science and Policy or the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology.


The preferred start date is no later than August 15, 2024. To be eligible, candidates must hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their field by the appointment start date.


Applications shall include:


•Letter of interest that summarizes your anticipated contributions to scholarship, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as teaching, and outreach/engagement.


•Current CV


•Research statement


•A statement that describes your philosophy and experience with teaching and outreach/engagement/science communication


•A statement that explains your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion


•The names of three colleagues who can provide us with a reference



All application documents can be uploaded as a single PDF or in up to five documents (5MB per file) under the Resume/CV section of your online application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Please contact Dr. Rebecca Gruby at rgruby@miami.edu for additional information.


The University of Miami is among the top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation and one of the largest private employers in South Florida.


With more than 16,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.


The University is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value. Through values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, and Teamwork (DIRECCT) the Rosenstiel School together with the U community works together to create an environment driven by purpose, excellence, community, and service.


The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science of the University of Miami is a world leader in Earth sciences. Fundamental research is combined with an emphasis on interdisciplinary science, natural resource management, and understanding of the impacts of natural disasters and global environmental change. The Rosenstiel School strives for academic excellence while committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value.



Current Employees:



If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position using the Career worklet, please review this tip sheet.


The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.



Job Status:

Full time



Employee Type:

Faculty