"Assistant Professor, Environmental Data Science & Biostatistics"

Summary

The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (CFRES) at Michigan Technological University (MTU) invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Environmental Data Science and Biostatistics, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. Applicants with the required education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and accomplishments commensurate with a higher rank will also be considered for an appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in data-driven research with clear relevance to natural or coupled natural-human systems. CFRES offers B.S. degrees in Environmental Data Science, Forestry, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Applied Ecology and Environmental Science, Sustainable Bioproducts, and Environmental Science and Sustainability. Graduate programs include professional degrees; Master’s degrees in Forest Ecology and Management, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Applied Ecology, and Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology; and doctoral degrees in Forest Science and Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology.

MTU attracts world-class faculty, staff, and students committed to advancing a sustainable future through innovative research, education, and outreach addressing real-world challenges. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, MTU offers access to diverse natural environments that enable hands-on learning, field research, and outdoor adventure, fostering a one-of-a-kind and immersive experience for students and faculty alike. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment based on respect for all and academic excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

The successful candidate will establish and lead a world-class research program in their area of expertise related to Environmental Data Science, mentoring graduate students and conducting impactful research. The candidate will teach classes that contribute to a new B.S. degree in Environmental Data Science (EDS) including introductory and senior EDS courses, as well as other courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. Responsibilities also include participating in service to the department, university, and broader academic community.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

A Ph.D. in a field related to environmental data science, biostatistics, or similar disciplines.

Required Experience

Evidence of scholarly productivity, commensurate with the candidate’s experience level, with a research emphasis related to environmental data science and the potential to generate external grant funding for this work.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Experience teaching undergraduate courses as the lead instructor or as a teaching assistant.

Ability to mentor and engage undergraduate and graduate students across major disciplines within CFRES such as Forestry, Wildlife, Genetics, and Applied Ecology.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated experience with R, Python, Julia and/or other programming languages used in data science.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Research specializations that complement existing strengths within CFRES, aligning with the diverse fields represented by our academic majors.

Strong written and oral communication skills that indicate potential for excellence in research and teaching.

Experience writing grant applications.

Strong foundation in quantitative methods and computational tools applied to natural or coupled human-natural systems. Relevant areas may include but are not limited to: Data science, informatics, or machine learning; Biostatistics; statistically or computationally intensive applications in forestry, ecology, or wildlife biology; Remote sensing, geospatial science, or GIS.

Demonstrated success in working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Potential to support interdisciplinary research that is aligned with one of Michigan Tech’s Research Institutes and Centers designed to facilitate research, teaching, and mentoring collaborations across campus. Research Institutes include the Great Lakes Research Center, and the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems, and others. The Great Lakes Research Center houses research centers including the Ecosystem Science Center, and the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following four required pieces of training; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment: The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

9 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Dependent on experience and qualifications

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Research Statement (approximately 2 pages)
• Teaching Statement (approximately 2 pages)
• Names and contact information for at least three references (this is part of the application)
• One or two top publications to which they have made significant contributions

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech.

For full consideration, please apply by October 1, 2025.

Additional Information

Michigan Tech, ranked an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, attracts world-class faculty who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior, the Houghton community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities.

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members’ partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at https://www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer, that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

For more information contact the search committee chair, Dr. Kristin Brzeski at kbrzeski@mtu.edu.