Assistant Professor in Sustainable Wood Utilization (WOT)
Position Overview
Organization: Environmental and Forest Sciences
Title: Assistant Professor in Sustainable Wood Utilization (WOT)
Position Details
Position Description
The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) at the University of Washington invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor without tenure, with an anticipated start date of April 2027. We seek applicants who demonstrate commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community. The successful candidate will join our faculty on a full-time basis for a twelve-month appointment on a 3-year term, renewable beginning April 2027. Renewability will depend on available funds to support the position.
The base salary range for this position will be $9,700- $14,600 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination
The successful candidate will join the School’s Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) and will be expected to secure funding for their research. Positive factors for consideration include, but are not limited to, candidates with current external funding and a demonstrated record of research productivity. CINTRAFOR is committed to providing research, education, and outreach regarding developments, trends, and environmentally sustainable growth opportunities vital to Washington State’s forests, forest-dependent communities, and the forest products industry.
We seek applicants with a background in environmental and forest sciences, bioenergy and biochemicals, and/or wood products who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in research assessing the impacts of wood utilization on regional forest product industries, climate change mitigation efforts, and sustainable resource management practices.
The successful candidate will be expected to manage a diverse portfolio of research projects while consistently engaging in outreach activities with various stakeholders across the regional forestry sector, including but not limited to forest-dependent communities, forest products industry, governmental/non-governmental organizations, and policy makers.
This position is contingent upon externally acquired funding. The successful applicant will primarily be supported by their acquisition of extramural/external funding. Partial salary coverage (approximately 3 months per year) for this position will be provided by CINTRAFOR’s state research and outreach funds. Depending on SEFS teaching needs, the position may also teach up to 2 courses per year, including summer teaching, which can cover 1.3 to 3 months/year of the candidate’s salary. The successful candidate will receive full (100%) salary support for the first 24 months. Therefore, the successful candidate will be expected to secure external funding to support a significant proportion of their annual salary and research program.
Successful candidates are required to engage in vigorous fundraising through extramural grant funding (with the support of appropriate faculty), develop strong relationships with organizations that fund research in sustainable bio-based products, including engineered wood products and bioenergy products. An established track record in securing grant funding and demonstrated fundraising ability will be considered a positive factor.
Selected scholars will be expected to establish and/or maintain an active agenda of scholarly pursuits, including externally supported research and creative and/or professionally-associated practice. The selected scholars will teach departmental and interdepartmental courses, with the potential to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The hired candidate will join the SEFS community, which is dedicated to generating and disseminating pioneering knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products, services, and functions through teaching, research, and engagement. SEFS serves approximately 700 undergraduates and 110 graduate students in our degree programs.
All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research, and service.
Qualifications
Applicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:
· A Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in a relevant field, including but not limited to forestry, environmental science/engineering, forest economics, and forest business.
· Demonstrated focus on wood products and wood utilization (including bioenergy), evidenced by peer-reviewed publications addressing fundmental and/or applied research at the PhD and/or postdoctoral level
· Two years postdoctoral research experience in an academic or non-academic setting is required.
Instructions
To ensure your application receives full consideration, please submit all materials by the priority date of September 15. Applications will only be accepted via Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/187538. The position will remain open until filled.
Applications should include the following materials:
1. A cover letter of no more than 2 pages detailing your interest in the position, fit to CINTRAFOR’s mission, relevant qualifications, and experiences.
2. A Curriculum Vitae with a bibliographic listing of academic products, including publications, professional presentations, and outreach materials.
3. A research statement of no more than 600 words describing your interests, scholarly collaborations and accomplishments, experience in grant funding, and future research plans.
4. A teaching statement of no more than 600 words describing your teaching philosophy and effectiveness, including student mentorship.
5. An fundraising and outreach statement with a focus on the forestry and forest products sector (within 600 words).
6. Contact information only for three (3) referees who are prepared to provide letters of recommendation upon request. No letters are requested at this time.
Applicants should articulate how their past experiences and/or future plans in research, teaching, mentoring, and/or service promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Contact Information: Search Administrator – Mary Keyes (+1) 206 685-0952; Inquiries should be addressed to the Search Chair: Prof. Indroneil Ganguly, indro@uw.edu, (+1) 206 616-3681. Questions regarding potential disability accommodations during the application and interview process can be directed to sefsjobs@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Equal Opportunity
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
Benefits Information
The University is committed to providing excellent benefits to our faculty. For a summary of available benefits, please see UWHR benefits information.
Privacy Notice
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Disability Services
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.