"PRODiG Plus Fellow: Ecological and Evolutionary Responses to Global Change"

The Department of Ecology & Evolution at Stony Brook University is recruiting a PRODiG + Fellow focused on ecological and/or evolutionary responses to global change. This broad area encompasses major global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, urbanization, pollution, and landscape fragmentation, and aligns with the Department’s strategic priorities to advance research at the interface of ecology, evolution, and anthropogenic change. It includes evolutionary responses to shifting selective pressures, rapid environmental change, urban ecology, and novel ecosystems, as well as ecological dynamics shaped by human disturbance across spatial and temporal scales. A Fellow in this area could work across a range of systems and scales, using theoretical, quantitative, or experimental approaches, any taxa including plants, animals or microbes, with possible emphasis on conservation, evolutionary innovation, macroevolution, organismal biology, genomics, population and community dynamics, ecosystem function, invasion biology, spatial ecology, landscape ecology, or science education. Connections to affiliated programs like the Turkana Basin Institute, Centre ValBio, and the New York Climate Exchange offer additional opportunities for integration and impact.

The State University of New York (SUNY) Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODIG Plus) Fellows Program (https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/) program is designed to achieve two primary goals, (1) increasing the number and share of excellent diverse faculty committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; and (2) strengthening the pipeline for retention and support of these candidates. The SUNY PRODiG Plus Fellows Program offers full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track faculty positions at the lecturer level. The fellow will be a part of a mentored research environment and, with successful performance and demonstrated contribution to inclusion, diversity, and equity, will be invited to join the tenure-track faculty at Stony Brook University after two years. The Fellow will receive a reduced teaching load (1 course each year) during the two-year initial appointment. The Fellow will be paired with a faculty mentor or mentoring committee upon appointment. Additional information on the PRODiGPlus Fellowship can be found at https://www.suny.edu/prodig-plus/fellowship/.

The PRODiG Plus Fellowship is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Required Qualifications:

• Eligibility to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship.
• Doctoral degree (or foreign equivalent) in ecology, evolution, or a field closely related to the subject of the search from an accredited institution, received by August 1, 2026.
• Evidence of current research activity relevant to the subject of the search.
• Demonstrated personal, academic, and/or work experience engaging with diversity, equity, and inclusion and/or a commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Such experience may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or demonstrated potential as an effective teacher and mentor consistent with the mission of Stony Brook University.
• High quality research and publications relevant to the subject of the search.
• History of, or strong potential for, attracting external funding.
• Preference will be given to candidates who are:
  • Current SUNY students, alumni, and/or Fellows.
  • From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.

Application Instructions: All application materials must be submitted through Interfolio by clicking the “Apply Now” button. A complete application will consist of seven items, including the required application form:

1. Cover letter that addresses the criteria for the position,
2. CV
3. Sample of representative scholarly work (no more than 3 publications)
4. An essay in response to the following in 750 words or less: "please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the campus community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, an academic/scholarly track record focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work, volunteer/unpaid/ community service; or related experience/expertise in serving underserved or vulnerable areas and/or populations."
5. Research statement. The research statement (no more than two pages) should summarize your research highlights as a PhD student and, if applicable, as a postdoc, describe the future research direction of your independent research program, and include a plan for obtaining external funding. In addition, please describe potential synergies with departmental researchers or university research centers.
6. Teaching statement. The teaching statement (no more than two pages) should address your experience in teaching and mentorship, including an articulated teaching philosophy, and ability to contribute to teaching needs in Ecology & Evolution.
7. Three letters of reference. Contact information for three references is required, and recommendation letters will be requested upon submission of the application.

Review of applications will commence immediately, with a final application deadline of March 6, 2026.

Inquiries may be directed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Robert Thacker, robert.thacker@stonybrook.edu