Assistant​/Associate Professor in Biology - 316170

Job Description

The Department of Biology at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) invites applications for a faculty position in Plant Community Ecology (Plant Ecologist) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek an outstanding scholar with expertise in plant ecology and community dynamics who can contribute to teaching, research, and service within the Department and the broader university. The successful candidate is expected to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded research program addressing fundamental and applied questions in plant ecology, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning, restoration ecology, climate change, or related fields, with relevance to arid and desert ecosystems.

A strong background on the impact of Climate Change – at species/community levels – on desert ecosystems would be an advantage. The candidate will also contribute to undergraduate and graduate education and foster interdisciplinary collaborations across UAEU and with national and international partners.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop and sustain an internationally competitive research program in plant community ecology.
• Secure external research funding from national and international agencies.
• Publish regularly in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervise MSc and PhD students and mentor undergraduate research projects.
• Establish collaborations with researchers across UAEU, governmental agencies, conservation organizations, and international institutions.
• Contribute to research initiatives addressing biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable land management in arid environments.

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses that may include:

• Plant Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Plant Diversity
• Restoration Ecology
• Field Ecology
• Environmental Biology
• Ecological Data Analysis
• Advanced Topics in Plant Ecology

The candidate will:

• Participate actively in departmental, college, and university committees.
• Contribute to program accreditation and curriculum development.
• Engage in outreach activities that promote environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation.
• Build partnerships with governmental and environmental organizations within the UAE.

Applicants should possess:

• Ph.D. in Plant Ecology, Community Ecology, Ecology, Botany, Environmental Biology, or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in plant community ecology.
• Strong publication record appropriate for career stage.
• Evidence of potential to secure competitive research funding.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring.
• Excellent English communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Desert and arid-land ecology
• Plant biodiversity and conservation
• Restoration ecology
• Ecosystem functioning and resilience
• Climate change impacts on vegetation
• Functional ecology and plant traits
• Remote sensing and GIS applications in ecology
• Landscape ecology
• Ecological modelling
• Long-term ecological monitoring
• Plant-soil interactions
• Invasive species ecology
• Carbon cycling and ecosystem services

Experience with modern ecological techniques, including:

• Quantitative ecology
• Multivariate statistical analysis
• Spatial ecology
• R programming
• Remote sensing
• UAV/drone applications
• Species distribution modelling
• Environmental DNA (eDNA)
• Field-based ecological monitoring will be considered an advantage.