Job Description

Full Time

The School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (SEES) at The University of Iowa invites applications for an open-rank tenure-track appointment in ecology. This position will fill key research and teaching needs in the ecological sciences in SEES, with appointment beginning August 19, 2026.

Conserving, restoring and sustaining biodiversity and ecological functioning despite global change are major challenges for twenty-first century societies. To address these challenges, we seek an outstanding researcher with expertise in the broad areas of population and/or community ecology. Any research interests within these broad fields are encouraged, including (but not limited to) work on population/community assembly, distributions, dispersal, interactions, and function; responses of ecological systems to global change (e.g., land use and climate change); and biodiversity conservation and its impacts on ecosystem structure, function, and resilience. Theoretical, experimental, observational, and computational/statistical approaches are all welcome, as are any regional, system, or taxonomic areas of interest.

Successful candidates are expected to develop an active, externally funded research program, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and teach foundational courses in population and/or community ecology as well as upper division and graduate courses in the candidate’s specific area of interest. The ideal candidate will complement current SEES strengths (e.g. in global change and agricultural and urban systems), support the SEES undergraduate majors, and develop collaborations both within SEES and with other programs and initiatives across the University (e.g. Biology and the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory). We seek forward-thinking colleagues to help us expand collaboration on vital areas of research and deliver exciting and relevant programs aimed at training next generation scientists.

How to Apply:

Apply online at http://jobs.uiowa.edu/ .  Refer to requisition #75646. The application must include a cover letter, a CV, a statement of research interest, and a statement of teaching interest, philosophy, and effectiveness. Names and contact information for three individuals who can serve as a recommendation are required; letters will be solicited during a secondary stage in the hiring process.

The deadline for full consideration is Sep 15th, 2025. Screening of applications will begin in early September, but the application window will remain open until the position is satisfactorily filled.

Direct questions regarding this position to Dr. Matt Dannenberg (matthew-dannenberg@uiowa.edu).

About Iowa:Situated in vibrant Iowa City, IA, the University of Iowa is a global community of renowned artists and writers, pioneering scientists, and outstanding faculty dedicated to student success across 12 colleges, 7 professional degrees, and more than 200 areas of studies. With just over 30,000 students, the University is one of the nation’s top public research universities, a member of the Big Ten conference since 1899, and an Association of American Universities member since 1909.

The School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability is a new academic unit within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences that merges the departments of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences and Earth and Environmental Sciences, along with the Environmental Sciences program. The school has been strategically built as a core pillar of the college to grow collaborative and interdisciplinary research and increase student access to the wide range of career paths in these areas.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in ecology or a related discipline at time of appointment.

• Demonstrated potential for excellence in research and teaching, relative to career level.



• Demonstrated potential for securing external funding, relative to career level.

• Postdoctoral research experience (if a candidate for assistant prof. rank).



• Record of publishing in the broad areas of population and/or community ecology in peer-reviewed journals.



• Experience writing competitive grant proposals, relative to career level.



• Research that complements existing SEES strengths.



• Experience and/or plans for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.



• Experience and/or plans for teaching field courses.



• Demonstrated potential to teach foundational courses in population and/or community ecology.



• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and communities across disciplines.

Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Research Interest Statement
Teaching Interest Statement - See How to Apply

Number of References:3

Letters of Recommendation are required as part of the application process. Upon submission, references selected will be notified by e-mail with directions on how to electronically submit letters to the University of Iowa.

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.

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