Faculty Member in Field Ecology

Overview

College of the Atlantic seeks a full‑time faculty member in field ecology who is committed to teaching at the undergraduate level and collaborating across disciplines. We seek an ecologist with both strong natural history knowledge and quantitative skills, and who is excited about teaching and mentoring students at a small college that offers a single undergraduate degree in human ecology, an interdisciplinary inquiry into the human relationship with the environment.

The successful candidate will hold the title of William H. Drury, Jr. Chair in Ecology and Natural History. Candidates at any career stage are welcome. A Ph.D. in ecology, evolutionary biology, organismal biology, or related field is required before the anticipated start date (September 1, 2027).

The successful candidate will be an interdisciplinary scholar who investigates questions across spatial and temporal scales, integrating both field data collection and quantitative methods such as GIS or other spatial computational approaches. They will have a demonstrated commitment to a place‑based approach to both teaching and research, and an interest in using coastal Maine and environs (especially Acadia National Park, the COA campus, and our island and forest field stations) as sites for study and teaching as part of COA’s experiential, hands‑on curriculum.

The candidate should have an interest in the ways that ecology connects to other disciplines in the broader study of the human‑environment relationship.

The candidate must demonstrate potential for excellent and inclusive teaching. Teaching responsibilities will include a range of interdisciplinary, undergraduate courses from introductory to advanced, related to natural history, spatial ecology, GIS, quantitative methods in field ecology, and human interactions with the environment. The candidate will have considerable flexibility to develop courses in their area of specialty, as well as contributing to foundational courses in biology and ecology.

The teaching load is five courses across three ten‑week trimesters (e.g., 1‑2‑2). Other responsibilities include mentoring and advising students, supervising senior capstone projects and independent studies, and contributing to college governance. Though there is no contractual research or publication expectation for COA faculty, most continue to conduct research that includes undergraduate training opportunities.

Annual salary range is $75,000 to $105,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health, dental, and life insurance, retirement, vacation, short‑ and long‑term disability, and College of the Atlantic tuition relief for the employee and dependents.

COA is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to fostering learning and working environments free from discrimination. The college adheres to all applicable state and federal equal‑opportunity laws and regulations. In employment, admissions, and access to our educational programs, COA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex or gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, genetic predisposition, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital or partnership status, or any other legally protected status.