Job Details

Assistant Professor in Marine Ecology

Position Number: 6710805
Location: Kingston, RI
Position Type: Science - Biology

Assistant Professor in Marine Ecology

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by December 12, 2025. Applications received after December 12, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for an academic year (9 month), tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Marine Ecology. URI, the top public university in New England, is a land and sea grant research university located in Kingston, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car, bus, and rail about 40 min from Providence, an hour from Boston and 3 hours from New York City.

The Biological Sciences department has 12 full-time tenure-track faculty members, 6 full-time teaching faculty, and 2 teaching laboratory coordinators. Our faculty conduct impactful research around the world, on all aspects of biological sciences from genes to ecosystems and terrestrial, coastal through to deep ocean environments. We utilize a broad set of tools, including molecular, technological and ecological, and many faculty take advantage of Rhode Island's vibrant natural habitats including Narragansett Bay, the largest estuary in New England. Our department has over 800 undergraduates majoring in either Biological Sciences (BS), Biology (BA) or Marine Biology (BS) and offers courses for many undergraduates across campus. Our faculty mentor graduate students enrolled in thesis-based research at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels in the interdisciplinary Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program.

As the flagship university of the Ocean State, URI has a vibrant community of students, staff and faculty focused on marine research with ample opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. On the main campus, faculty in the department of Marine Affairs develop policy, economics and coastal management perspectives that translate scientific findings into actionable governance frameworks. The Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science contributes expertise in marine aquaculture and ecosystem management. The Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), based on the Narragansett Bay Campus 6 miles from the main URI campus, offers dedicated facilities for marine research, including access to flow-through aquaria, mesocosms, and research vessels (both small and large). GSO faculty conduct cutting-edge research in biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography. In the Department of Ocean Engineering in the College of Engineering, faculty and students develop autonomous underwater vehicles, coastal resilience technologies and marine renewable energy systems.

We invite individuals with a record of successful research, as well as a demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching, experiential learning, and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels to apply. The successful candidate will generate an internationally recognized program of research and scholarship in Marine Ecology. The candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, with emphasis on experiential learning in the field of marine ecology and similar topics relevant to our students' degree requirements. Priority will be given to candidates who show a commitment to broadening participation in science through research, pedagogical practices, and public engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop an externally funded research program, advise undergraduate and graduate students, engage in university service and support public engagement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Establish a vibrant research program supported by extramural funding in marine ecology. Notable areas for potential scholarship include but are not limited to fish/fisheries ecology, benthic ecology, marine botany/algae, community ecology, estuarine ecology, and/or marine conservation.
Develop a sustained record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Teach undergraduate courses in marine biology and ecology, and at least one graduate course based on one's research expertise in marine ecology that will enhance both undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the University of Rhode Island, with an emphasis on experiential learning and applying inclusive, evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population.
Provide advising, training, and research mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
Engage in outreach and service activities as well as governance within the Department, College, University, and broader scholarly community.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ph.D. or D.Phil. in marine biology, marine ecology, biological oceanography, biological and environmental sciences, ecology or other closely related fields.

2. Postdoctoral research experience at time of application.

3. A record of scholarly achievement as shown by (a) publications related to marine ecology in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or books, and (b) presentations at scientific meetings.

4. Ability to teach marine biology and ecology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

5. Ability to broaden participation in science through research, pedagogical practices, and public engagement.

6. Proficiency in oral communication skills in English.

7. Proficiency in written communication skills in English.

8. Commitment to participate in professional service and outreach as shown by participation in committees, organizations, or other activities.

9. Ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred qualifications for this position (strongest consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate this additional expertise and experience):

1. Expertise in using contemporary quantitative methods and technology to study the ecology of marine environments.

2. Active participation in collaborative research.

3. Demonstrated success in obtaining funding through competitive grant programs (including graduate or postdoctoral fellowships and grants).

4. Minimum of one year of post-doctoral research experience at the time of application.

5. Evidence of effective teaching as the lead instructor of marine biology and ecology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level via inclusive practices that incorporate experiential learning.

6. Evidence of mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.

7. Record of scholarly achievement as shown by publications, honors, and/or awards.

8. Expertise making research findings accessible to a broad audience through outreach, social media, and other mixed media outlets.
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URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship
university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative
workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts.

All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status.
Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting
the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Biological Sciences

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:

(#1) Cover Letter describing qualifications for position and how you meet the minimum, and where applicable, preferred qualifications (as one complete document).

(#2) Curriculum Vitae, including information pertaining to the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position (as one complete document).

(#3) Research Statement of interests and future research plans, no more than 3 pages in length. You should include proposed grant application strategy, research student mentorship philosophy and how your research program would complement and extend the Department of Biological Sciences and URI (as one complete document).

(#4) Statement of Teaching Philosophy and interests, no more than 2 pages in length and include current pedagogical experience, evidence of course development, and the integration of experiential learning into your classes.

(#5) Other Document - PDFs of up to three published or in-press papers (as one complete document).
Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.

Position Number: 106678
Posting Number: F00500
Posting Date: 11/07/2025
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15960