Job Announcement:
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, one of the largest in the nation, seeks to fill the following position: Assistant Professor of Ichthyology in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Curator of Fishes, Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection (TCWC, http://wfscnet.tamu.edu/tcwc). Areas of research may include ecology, evolutionary biology, systematics, genetics, or conservation biology. The successful candidate will also supervise curatorial activities in the Division of Fishes TCWC, consisting of 630,000 specimens.

Qualifications:
A Ph.D. and record of distinction in ichthyology is required; other areas of research may include ecology, evolutionary biology, systematics, genetics, or conservation biology.  Candidates must also demonstrate a capacity for excellence in research by peer-reviewed publications and generation of extramural research funding, and in teaching demonstrated by previous development and presentation of course materials. The successful candidate will teach Ichthyology, a graduate course in their specialty, and contribute occasionally to a course in vertebrate zoology.  The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the mission of the Texas A&M University's Diversity Plan (http://diversity.tamu.edu/plan/index.asp).

About the Department:
As an administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Texas AgriLife Research, and Texas AgriLife Extension, within The Texas A&M University System, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences has a diverse and dynamic mission with 26 faculty and 13 staff members engaged in teaching, research, and extension at several locations throughout the state, nation, and world.

Academic programs. The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that uniquely equip graduates for leadership, education, research, and extension roles across a breadth of fields related to ecology, natural resources management, and conservation biology. The Department, one of the largest in the nation, currently enrolls approximately 400 undergraduates who study in three primary options (Aquatic Ecology and Management, Wildlife Ecology and Management, and Vertebrate Zoology). Approximately 200 graduate students are enrolled in M.S. or Ph.D. programs, and three non-thesis professional degree programs (Master of Fisheries Science, Master of Natural Resource Development, and Master of Wildlife Science).

Research. The Department's faculty is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge in conservation of biodiversity, natural resource management, and the sustainable use of natural resources at scales ranging from genes to landscapes. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences discovers and communicates knowledge relevant to the conservation and management of wildlife and fishery resources and the ecosystems that sustain them through integrated academic instruction, research, and extension programs. The Department conducts research in five general areas: Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Science; Conservation Biology; Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Systematics; Marine Mammal Biology; and Wildlife Ecology, Conservation and Management. Research facilities and laboratories are located primarily on the main campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, but also include numerous other facilities across the state.

Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection.  The TCWC was established in 1938 by the late Dr. William B. Davis. The collections within the TCWC serve as historical evidence of the distribution of wildlife in Texas, and provide valuable ecological and life history information for an array of vertebrate species. The collections serve as the repository for more than one million specimens with ancillary preparations, genetic samples, and associated data. The fish collection is among the largest repositories of Gulf of Mexico fishes with significant holdings of freshwater fishes from Texas, southwest USA, MesoAmerica and Venezuela. Collections at TCWC are used in the research of Texas A&M faculty, graduate students, and scientists worldwide, as well as for the teaching of natural history, conservation and wildlife management. 

For more information about the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, please visit http://wfsc.tamu.edu/

About the University:
Texas A&M University, the Land Grant institution in the state, is a Tier I research university committed to Academic Excellence. Texas A&M University is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Enrollment at TAMU is 46,000 students; the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences includes 15 departments and >325 faculty. Many opportunities exist for interdisciplinary collaborations among departments and programs including Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (eeb.tamu.edu), Genetics (gene.tamu.edu) and Renewable Natural Resources.

About the Community:
The University is in College Station, which combined with the twin city of Bryan forms a metropolitan community of approximately 150,000 people with high-quality amenities and a low cost of living. In addition to excellent health, education, and recreation services, the community affords a rich variety of cultural activities typical of a major university environment, including museums, music, art, and theatre.

Application Process:
Submit an electronic CV, statements of teaching and research interests, and philosophy regarding collections management and curation, plus contact information for three references to:  Dr. Kirk O. Winemiller, Search Committee Chair, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, k-winemiller@tamu.edu.  Review of applications will begin on October 5, 2009. Applicants may address their ability to contribute to the mission of the university’s diversity plan (diversity.tamu.edu/plan/index.asp).

The Texas A&M University System is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse faculty, staff, and student body reflecting the population and educational needs of Texas and the Nation.

Announcement PDF & Word Document