Assistant Professor, Forest Regeneration

About the Job

The Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota seeks outstanding applicants for a full‑time tenure‑track Assistant Professor faculty position focused on forest regeneration dynamics. This may include focus areas of early stand dynamics, forest genetics, climate‑adaptive seed/tree selection, nursery systems, or environmental stress physiology, which may fall within broader disciplines such as silviculture, restoration ecology, or forest operations. This is a 9‑month, full‑time, tenure‑track faculty position with research (50%) and teaching (50%) responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have access to office and laboratory space in the department. The position is available beginning August 2026, with review of applications beginning December 8, 2025.

• Establish a nationally recognized research program that advances fundamental knowledge critical to establishing, maintaining, and improving forest regeneration and productivity, develops tools and techniques related to adaptive forest management for a changing climate, and supports the viability, health, resilience, and function of forest ecosystems and the forest sector regionally and nationally.
• Develop successful extramural grant proposals and collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams drawing on expertise in the Forest Resources Department, CFANS, Extension, and the University, as well as scientists and practitioners locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, to conduct research and exchange knowledge with a wide range of audiences including practitioners.
• Publish in refereed journals and other outlets.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses. Courses may include forest ecosystem physiology, climate adaptation, forest genetics, dendrology or other courses in the incumbent's area of expertise that would contribute to the professionally accredited forestry degree program in the Department.
• Mentor undergraduate students in Department-affiliated majors (Forest and Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science, Policy and Management).
• Recruit, advise, train, and mentor graduate students.
• Prepare a diverse body of students for successful careers in forestry, reforestation, restoration, and complementary areas.
• Participate in University faculty governance and, where appropriate, provide leadership to continuing education and outreach activities statewide.
• Provide service to the profession.

• Ph.D. by the time of appointment in forestry, natural resources, biology, ecology, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated research expertise in forest regeneration, forest genetics, applied forest ecology, silviculture, restoration ecology, physiology, or forest operations.

• Demonstrated expertise in more than one of the focal areas highlighted above in the required qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness in delivering undergraduate and/or graduate courses that support diverse learners and build inclusive classroom environments.
• Demonstrated experience or evidence of potential in advising and training graduate students, especially from a range of cultures and experiences.
• Record of peer‑reviewed scientific publications commensurate with the applicant's career stage.
• Success or evidence of potential to secure extramural funding.
• An interest in developing field‑based research projects in Minnesota and the Great Lakes Region.
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to work productively with public and private land management agencies, Tribal Nations, and various interested parties, and to contribute to the University of Minnesota's land grant mission.
• Expertise that adds to or complements those of current faculty.
• Demonstrated service to the profession.
• Demonstrated knowledge of professionally accredited forestry programs.

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 27 programs: 14 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in disciplines involving food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences. CFANS also has 10 research and outreach centers across…