We are hiring a visiting assistant professor!

TEXAS, COLLEGE STATION. Texas A&M University. The Department of Geography invites applications for a non-tenure track Visiting Assistant Professor in Geography with research and teaching interests in landscape genetics and spatial population genetics to begin 1 September 2014. The successful candidate will be required to teach two undergraduate classes per year in the Geography Department and the Environmental Studies Program at Texas A&M University. This position will be responsible for maintaining an active research agenda in coordination with the Biogeography Lab in the Department of Geography. This will include writing proposals, helping with the analysis of genetic/genomic data, and interacting with graduate students. Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Genetics, Bioeography, Landscape Ecology or related discipline. Experience in ecological and landscape genetics and population genetics research is required. Familiarity with bioinformatics, genomics and specific software packages for genetics analysis are preferred (e.g. GeneLand, SPAGeDi, STRUCTURE, R). Preference will be given to candidates with experience working in plant population genetics, especially with conifers.

The Biogeography Lab at TAMU is engaged in using genetics/genomics techniques to investigate gene flow across topographically complex landscapes. One specific project aims to determine the importance of long distance dispersal to the migration potential of the alpine treeline in south central Alaska. More details regarding current and planned research projects are available from Dr. Cairns. The person hired for this position will be expected to work closely with Dr. Cairns to strengthen the landscape genetics research program. The Department of Geography has 20 faculty members with strengths in biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, human geography, human-environment relationships, geographic education and GIST (Geographic Information Science and Technology). We are based in the College of Geosciences with the Departments of Atmospheric Science, Geology & Geophysics, and Oceanography, and play a major role in the Environmental Programs in Geosciences. The College of Geosciences also includes Sea Grant, the Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (GERG), and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). Texas A&M University houses the Whole Systems Genomics Initiative that provides an intellectually vibrant community and state-of-the-art resources for genomics and bioinformatics research. Texas A&M University, a land-,sea-, and space-grant university, is located in a metropolitan area with a dynamic and international community of 175,000 people.

Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses (including e-mail addresses) of three referees to Dr. David Cairns (cairns@tamu.edu) Assistant Department Head, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3147. We will begin reviewing applications immediately. Texas A&M University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and student body and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from women, underrepresented ethnic groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Texas A&M University also has a policy of being responsive to the needs of dual-career partners (hr.tamu.edu/employment/dual-career.html).