The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University invites applications for a 12-month, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor of Forest Resource Economics and to serve as Director of SOFAC.
The realm of relevant research is broad and includes the impacts of shocks to forest extent and both market and non-market attributes of the southern forest ecosystem.
The core of SOFAC research is understanding how this dominantly privately owned resource responds to changes in climate, policy, trade, and emerging and diminishing markets. The new director should have experience as, or show potential to become, a leader in policy and market discussions of emerging issues. S/he will advance the scientific basis for forward looking resource assessments in a dynamic market, policy, and climate context.
The 20+ SOFAC members include the major corporate forest landowners and wood consumers, consulting firms, and the southern group of state foresters. These members provide a funding base for advancing research methodologies that address likely southern forest futures at a scale relevant for strategic decisions.
This appointment is 45% research, 45% teaching and 10% service. The candidate must have a strong background in (i) forest economics, (ii) analytical modeling that integrates forest biology and economics to guide strategic thinking of both public and private decision-makers. and (iii) strong leadership skills and forward-looking vision to lead SOFAC.
Beyond NC State’s traditional strength in statistics, and economics; the Research Triangle region provides collaborative opportunities with colleagues at Duke University, the largest USDA Forest Service economics research unit in the US https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/econ/, and Research Triangle Institute’s resource economics group that focuses on agriculture and forest sector modeling for at national and global scales https://www.rti.org/service-capability/economic-analysis.
Teaching and Mentoring Responsibilities:
The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses across the forest management and natural resources curricula. Possible courses include an undergraduate forest economics course, an undergraduate/graduate course in natural resources assessment and management, or a graduate course in the area of the candidate’s area of research. The candidate will be responsible for advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Research Responsibilities:
The candidate is expected to develop an internationally recognized, externally-funded research program, in addition to SOFAC, in forest and natural resource assessment and economics. The candidate is strongly encouraged to collaborate with other forest management and natural resources faculty in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, and other scientists at the North Carolina State University, southeastern US, and the world.
Service Responsibilities:
The position serves on academic (e.g. departmental, college, and university) and professional society committees and activities.
Other Work/Responsibilities
n/a
Minimum Education/Experience
PhD in Forestry or Natural Resource Economics or closely related dicipline.
Departmental Required Skills
The candidate must have a PhD in Forest or Natural Resource Economics, or closely related discipline. The candidate should have: (1) a proven track record of high-impact publications, (2) demonstrated experience or potential to attract external funding, (3) demonstrated potential for productive collaboration with other scientists to develop new, innovative and interdisciplinary research, (4) excellent problem-solving and oral and written communication skills; and (5) desire to collaborate in teaching, research, and service missions of NC State.