The Oklahoma Biological Survey (OBS) at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor of Freshwater Ecology.

We seek an innovative and collaborative colleague with expertise in freshwater systems (broadly defined to include invertebrate and/or vertebrate communities) who will establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program. The successful candidate will run an active research lab, mentor graduate students, contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching (one course per semester), and provide taxonomic expertise essential to the OBS mission of documenting and conserving biodiversity in Oklahoma. We are particularly interested in candidates who integrate field-based or experimental ecology with taxonomic and conservation-oriented research. Approaches may include, but are not limited to the following: population and community ecology, conservation biology, eco-informatics, phylogenetics, environmental monitoring, or global change biology, with a strong focus on freshwater ecosystems.

The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) develop and maintain an extramurally funded, discipline-leading research program; (2) train and mentor graduate and undergraduate students in ecology, conservation, and biodiversity science; (3) teach one course per semester at the undergraduate or graduate level; (4) contribute expertise to biodiversity documentation, monitoring, and conservation initiatives carried out by the OBS; and (5) build collaborations within and beyond OU, including partnerships with state and federal agencies, NGOs, and conservation organizations.

The OBS is both a state agency and a research unit in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences at OU. Through coordinated research and monitoring, the OBS compiles detailed information on biological communities in the state and surrounding regions while enhancing our general understanding of ecology and natural history for the benefit of the scientific community, elected officials, and the public. Established in 1927, its mission is to consolidate expertise and information on biodiversity with an emphasis on the plants and animals of the state of Oklahoma. The OBS is home to the Robert Bebb Herbarium, the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, and the Oklahoma Natural Areas Registry program. Together, these programs track and conserve species and habitats, advance biodiversity research and education, and inform state offices, tribal organizations, and private landowners. As an integral unit of OU, the OBS contributes to cross-disciplinary research, student training, and outreach at local, state, and national levels. The OBS contributes to the scientific community of the University of Oklahoma and beyond through innovative research that advances a multitude of areas within the biological and environmental sciences while bringing external funding to the university and fostering expertise needed to confront present and future conservation and biodiversity challenges.

OU invests in its faculty by providing support and resources through the Center for Faculty Excellence and Vice President for Research and Partnerships Office. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences supports faculty development through senior faculty mentoring, new faculty orientation series, and access to research and educational support. We encourage candidates to apply who seek to contribute to a collegial and interdisciplinary research environment within a rapidly growing college and department. 

This position offers a competitive salary, startup funds, lab space including indoor and outdoor facilities, and a generous benefits package that includes paid leave, health coverage, life insurance, and retirement funds. Starting date is expected to be in August of 2026.

University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic, and healthcare needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, Health Campus in Oklahoma City and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 32,000 students and has more than 2,700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges.

The Norman Community 

Norman is a vibrant university town of more than 130,000 inhabitants with a growing entertainment and art scene. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender in “best place to live” rankings. Visit http://soonerway.ou.edu for more information. Within an easy commute, Oklahoma City features a dynamic economy and outstanding cultural venues adding to the region’s growing appeal.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biological sciences or a closely related field at the time of appointment (August 2026). Ph.D. candidates who will soon complete their degrees are encouraged to apply.  
• Demonstrated potential to lead a widely recognized research program in freshwater ecology that integrates biodiversity documentation with key research themes in biology, conservation, and/or environmental science.
• Expertise in one or more freshwater taxonomic groups or ecological guilds that complements existing strengths at OBS.
• Evidence of a trajectory toward a strong record of publication, external funding, and student mentorship.
• University teaching experience or demonstrated capacity to teach effectively at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with biodiversity research and conservation outreach programs (e.g., Biological Surveys, Natural Heritage programs, NatureServe, conservation organizations, natural history museums, or natural resource management agencies at the state or federal level).
• Research experience in freshwater systems of the South Central United States.
• Experience leading collaborative projects and working with interdisciplinary teams.
• A record of partnerships with NGOs, state agencies, tribal organizations, and/or federal organizations, citizen science groups, and/or NGOs relevant to conservation and biodiversity research.