Job Description

The Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) invites applications from individuals who demonstrate excellence in innovative research, broadening participation, and translational science to solve environmental problems. Candidates in any research specialty that complements and enhances our core competencies and mission in areas of estuarine or marine biogeochemistry, plankton ecology, numerical modeling, restoration ecology (e.g. oysters, SAVs, living shorelines), and oceanography are encouraged to apply. Specific areas of interest that we have identified include, but are not limited to, planktonic microeukaryote ecology (phytoplankton, HABs, protist ecology, mixotrophy, microbial food webs) and benthic productivity (submerged aquatic vegetation). We anticipate between one and three tenure track faculty positions at Horn Point Laboratory at the ranks of Assistant or Associate Professor.

Research at HPL is inter- and trans-disciplinary, with many collaborations within HPL, and across all UMCES research units. This research reaches across a ‘genes to ecosystems’ continuum in a diverse array of terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments, and spans scales of local, regional, and global importance. A key part of the UMCES mission is unique for an academic institution - to provide objective, scientific advice on environmental management and policy to the State of Maryland, with particular interest in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. All faculty are encouraged to contribute to UMCES’s nascent Chesapeake Global Collaborative (CGC) initiative (https://www.umces.edu/chesapeake-global-collaboratory), which aims to use big data approaches to solve big problems by engaging diverse voices, and developing innovative tools and products.

The Horn Point Laboratory is committed to increasing the diversity of our campus community, to further equity and inclusion, and is taking action to promote and improve our culture of civility through policies and practices.

The Horn Point Laboratory is located on an 800-acre former estate on the banks of the Choptank River in Cambridge, in the heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. HPL scientists have multiple collaborations with our neighboring system institutions including Salisbury University and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, as well as universities around the world. HPL is home to one of the largest oyster hatcheries on the East Coast, producing oyster spat for restoration and the industry, as well as providing applied research opportunities. Our research facilities include walk-in culturing chambers, analytical services for nutrients and pigments, a small boat fleet, shared microscopes, extensive flowing seawater laboratories, high performance computing, and high internet bandwidth.

Faculty positions at HPL and UMCES provide a unique opportunity to focus primarily on research, mentor graduate students, co-teach with other UMCES faculty a relatively light load of graduate-level classes, and participate in collaborative application and outreach of science.

UMCES is Maryland’s graduate university for the environment and one of the twelve institutions of the University System of Maryland (USM). Maryland?s people and environments are diverse, including urban-to-rural and mountains-to-sea gradients. The UMCES mission includes advancing world-class fundamental and applied research, promoting graduate-level education, furthering community engagement and science application, and providing scientific expertise for environmental policies on topics such as air, land, water, fisheries and wildlife management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and beyond. UMCES scientists are developing solutions to help guide our state, nation, and world toward a more environmentally sustainable and equitable future through six highly collaborative, UMCES institutions ? Appalachian Laboratory, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Horn Point Laboratory, the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, the Integration and Application Network, and the Maryland Sea Grant College. An over-arching Chesapeake Global Collaboratory is being developed to link big data approaches to environmental problem solving.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in an environmental science, as well as a record of scholarly achievement in environmental science, including publications and teaching experience, is required.

Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate should have a demonstrated: 1) commitment to scientific excellence and productivity, 2) ability to establish a well-funded research program that aligns with the position description, 3) interest in mentoring graduate students and teaching graduate-level courses, 4) potential to collaborate with other HPL faculty, and 5) ability to broaden participation in science and contribute to a campus climate of inclusivity.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Center’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Human Relations, Center Administration, P.O. Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613.

University Information

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science unleashes the power of science to transform the way society understands and manages the environment. By conducting cutting-edge research into today’s most pressing environmental problems, we are developing new ideas to help guide our state, nation, and world toward a more environmentally sustainable future through five research centers: the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore, and the Maryland Sea Grant College in College Park. www.umces.edu

The University offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement package, and paid vacation and sick leave.

Additional Information

Applicants should apply via https://umces.peopleadmin.com/postings/1811 and submit the following electronically: (1) a cover letter that introduces the candidate, and describes how they meet the qualifications we are looking for; (2) curriculum vitae; 3) a diversity statement expressing your experience and plans to broaden participation in science, 4) a statement on your research and teaching plans including how you would incorporate graduate student mentoring into your research, and (5) names of three references (including title, affiliation, telephone, and e-mail address). Review of applications will begin on March 4, 2024 and will continue until filled. We anticipate that these positions will begin in the fall or winter of 2024. Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Patricia Glibert (glibert@umces.edu).

Required Documents

  1. a cover letter that introduces the candidate, and how they generally meet the qualifications for the position, and intended level of appointment.

  2. your curriculum vitae.

  3. a diversity statement expressing your experience and plans to broaden participation in science.

  4. a statement on your research and teaching plans including how you would incorporate graduate student mentoring into your research.

  5. names of three references (including title, affiliation, telephone, and e-mail address).