Full Job Description at INHS website

Assistant Research Program Leader in Large River Ecology/Field Station Director with an emphasis on ecology, management, and conservation of aquatic species (especially fishes) and their associated riverine habitats.
Location: Illinois River Biological Station, Havana, Illinois.

Job Description: The INHS seeks an outstanding scientist to lead an established and nationally recognized riverine research and monitoring program at the Illinois River Biological Station. The successful candidate for this position will conduct basic and applied research, translate findings and provide scientific advice to natural resource management agencies, and supervise graduate students and staff at the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, IL.

We seek a scientist and program leader who can develop a robust, externally-funded research program on large river ecology. As part of that program, the Director will be the Principal Investigator for one of the trend areas (the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River) of the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP), an established multi-state and federal agency program. This program provides consistent funding for 4-6 staff with an annual budget of approximately $350,000. In addition, the Director will be a Co-Principal Investigator for State's Long-Term Electrofishing monitoring program (with an annual budget to the Station of approximately $300,000). Facilities at the Illinois River Biological Station include wet and dry laboratories, offices, research boats, vehicles, and large-river sampling equipment. The Director will disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations at scientific and professional meetings. Research Program Leaders at INHS serve as research faculty for the University of Illinois and often serve as academic adjunct faculty members, mentoring graduate students within the University of Illinois or other universities, and have the opportunity to teach undergraduate or graduate classes in an area of their specialty. Excellent collaborative opportunities exist with the other field stations associated with the Illinois Natural History Survey, as well as with The Nature Conservancy, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NWRs, USGS, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must possess a Ph.D. by date of hire; have research expertise closely related to the ecology of large rivers or other large freshwater ecosystems; and have a proven history of or potential for attracting grant or private funding. Post-doctoral experience with demonstrated ability to work with interdisciplinary teams is highly desirable. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to supervise, mentor, and motivate staff at an off-campus location are critical to this position. Other essential requirements include a strong record of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and the ability to translate research findings into management recommendations and expressing those findings coherently to a broad set of partners and constituencies. Experience working in large systems (large rivers or comparable freshwater ecosystems), and managing budgets, facilities, and personnel is highly desirable. The successful candidate will have strong quantitative and research skills (specific disciplines could include aquatic invertebrate ecology, malacology, aquatic vegetation, microbial ecology, fish ecology, or floodplain/lateral wetland ecology) that will complement the INHS's traditionally progressive approaches to large-river ecology. Candidates with expertise or interest in applications of research to species conservation, habitat restoration, and adaptive resource management issues are especially encouraged to apply.

Salary: $65,000 to $70,000/year commensurate with experience; 12-month, state funded, research faculty position;

Available: Summer 2012

Application: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by December 2, 2011. Interested candidates must submit an online profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu by the close of the posting period. Qualified candidates must upload cover letter, CV, statement of research experience and interest, and contact information for three professional references. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete application will not be reviewed.