POSITION DESCRIPTION / SHORT NARRATIVE

The Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor (F3/F4) with expertise in the physiology of marine megafauna (broadly defined).
We seek a new colleague whose scholarship is centered on investigating the physiology of marine megafauna (e.g., mammals, reptiles, elasmobranchs). Of particular interest are responses to anthropogenic effects, including climate stressors, noise pollution, and overfishing, including strategies for conservation of at-risk species. The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in studying physiology at various levels of organization from molecular to whole-organism physiology. Special consideration will be given to candidates who demonstrate interdisciplinary thinking and whose research is directly relevant to marine resource conservation and management.
Anthropogenic-induced effects on the marine environment poses significant threats to marine megafauna, impacting their environment, physiological processes and fitness. It is expected that the successful candidate will bring expertise that intersects with a range of fundamental and applied disciplines, such as ecology and environmental biology, molecular and functional biology, evolutionary biology, oceanography, and biotechnology.
HIMB seeks to build on its strong foundation in marine megafauna research. We anticipate opportunities for collaboration and shared resources with existing HIMB labs focused on marine mammals, fishes, and elasmobranchs. Furthermore, there are strong opportunities for collaborations with other units across campus, including Oceanography, the International Pacific Research Center (IPRC), Ocean and Resources Engineering (ORE), and the John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i Health and Stranding Lab, and with the Pacific Islands office of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
HIMB is a globally recognized center of innovation for marine science and technology and place-based education that is fully committed to the University mission of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. The Institute’s principal facilities and operations are located on Coconut Island (Moku o Lo?e), a 28-acre island surrounded by a coral reef in Kane‘ohe Bay on the windward side of the island of O‘ahu, about 24 km from the UH Manoa campus.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. PhD from an accredited college or university in the fields of Biology, Physiology, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Biological Oceanography, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or equivalent life sciences degree.
2. At least one (1) year of postdoctoral experience or equivalent.
3. At least five (5) years of experience related to marine megafauna and/or animal physiology.
4. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research with sound critical thinking and rigorous scientific methods that stand up to peer review.
5. Demonstrated ability to communicate results to the science community through high quality peer-reviewed publications (including both first-authored and senior-authored publications), public presentations, and media news outlets.
   
   
   
6. Demonstrated ability of successfully securing extramural research funding.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate science to a wide range of audiences, demonstrated through experience.

• Demonstrated professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.

• Demonstrated ability or potential in graduate student mentorship and training

• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate and graduate students with various backgrounds.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in the fields of Biology, Physiology, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Biological Oceanography, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or equivalent life sciences degree.
2. At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as an assistant professor or equivalent rank at a comparable institution.
3. At least five (5) years of experience related to marine megafauna and/or animal physiology at a postdoctoral or higher level.
4. Demonstrated experience in successfully conducting independent research with sound critical thinking and rigorous scientific methods that stand up to peer review
5. Commensurate with experience, demonstrated ability to communicate results to the science community through high quality peer-reviewed publications (including both first-authored and senior-authored publications), public presentations, and media news outlets
6. Demonstrated experience in successfully securing extramural research funding in support of a robust research program.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate science to a wide range of audiences, demonstrated through experience.
8. Demonstrated success in graduate student mentorship and training.
9. Demonstrated professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
10. Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate and graduate students with various backgrounds.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSISTANT AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

1. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including marine biologists, oceanographers, engineers, and/or community stakeholders and resource managers.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in data analyses, mathematical modelling and/or visualization, including e.g. scripting in R, MATLAB, Python, or an equivalent programming language, statistical analyses, ArcGIS, bioinformatics, and machine learning or other AI approaches.
3. Demonstrated expertise with physiological experiments of marine megafauna in controlled and/or field-based settings.
4. Experience with community outreach, invited lectures, public speaking and/or media interviews.
5. Demonstrated experience and/or interest in establishing long-term relationships with resource managers and Pacific Islander communities to co-develop research on marine megafauna in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conduct scientific research into the physiological responses of marine megafauna to natural gradients and/or anthropogenic changes in the marine environment. Areas of research include, but are not limited to, metabolism, stress responses, diving physiology, disease susceptibility, reproductive physiology, hormone pathways, digestive physiology, sensor technology development, and biopsy health assessment.
2. Establish, maintain, and run a collaborative research group, including supervision of research assistants, technicians, postdoctoral scholars, and students.
3. Secure extramural funding for research to include writing proposals for extramural support, managing extramural awards, and overseeing required reporting and compliance; pursuit of technology development and transfer is encouraged.
4. Publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and present results at professional conferences and public meetings.
5. Design and teach courses related to the field of specialty in support of marine biology or related degree programs. Teaching comprises a minimum of 20% of the expected workload (one to two courses per academic year).
6. Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and serve on graduate student thesis and dissertation committees.
7. Provide academic service to the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, the Marine Biology Graduate Program, SOEST, and the University.
8. Provide expertise and advice to state, federal, and international agencies and organizations on the conservation and management of marine megafauna and in other areas of professional expertise.
9. Demonstrate professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
10. Other duties as assigned.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Same duties and responsibilities as Assistant Professor but will require greater accountability for more projects.
2. Publish significant work that influences the field of scholarship and increasing stature and recognition at the national and international level.
3. Serve as a role model within HIMB, the University of Hawai?i, and in the national or international research community.
4. Lead Institute initiatives, that may include marine sentinels of climate change, outreach and stewardship, and undergraduate and graduate education.