Assistant Professor in Biology
Job description
The Department of Biology at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) invites applications for a faculty position in Plant Community Ecology (Plant Ecologist) at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek an outstanding scholar with expertise in plant ecology and community dynamics who can contribute to teaching, research, and service within the Department and the broader university.
The successful candidate is expected to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded research program addressing fundamental and applied questions in plant ecology, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning, restoration ecology, climate change, or related fields, with relevance to arid and desert ecosystems. A strong background on the impact of climate change – at species/community levels – on desert ecosystems would be an advantage.
The candidate will also contribute to undergraduate and graduate education and foster interdisciplinary collaborations across UAEU and with national and international partners.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
Research
Develop and sustain an internationally competitive research program in plant community ecology.
Secure external research funding from national and international agencies.
Publish regularly in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
Supervise MSc and PhD students and mentor undergraduate research projects.
Establish collaborations with researchers across UAEU, governmental agencies, conservation organizations, and international institutions.
Contribute to research initiatives addressing biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable land management in arid environments.
Teaching
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses that may include:
Plant ecology
Community ecology
Ecosystem ecology
Biodiversity and conservation
Plant diversity
Restoration ecology
Field ecology
Environmental biology
Ecological data analysis
Advanced topics in plant ecology
The successful candidate is expected to develop innovative teaching methods, supervise student research, and contribute to curriculum development.
Service
The candidate will:
Participate actively in departmental, college, and university committees.
Contribute to program accreditation and curriculum development.
Engage in outreach activities that promote environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation.
Build partnerships with governmental and environmental organizations within the UAE.
Minimum qualification
Applicants should possess:
Ph.D. in Plant Ecology, Community Ecology, Ecology, Botany, Environmental Biology, or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution.
Demonstrated expertise in plant community ecology.
Strong publication record appropriate for career stage.
Evidence of potential to secure competitive research funding.
Commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring.
Excellent English communication skills.
Preferred qualification
Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Desert and arid-land ecology
Plant biodiversity and conservation
Restoration ecology
Ecosystem functioning and resilience
Climate change impacts on vegetation
Functional ecology and plant traits
Remote sensing and GIS applications in ecology
Landscape ecology
Ecological modelling
Long-term ecological monitoring
Plant-soil interactions
Invasive species ecology
Carbon cycling and ecosystem services
Experience with modern ecological techniques, including:
Quantitative ecology
Multivariate statistical analysis
Spatial ecology
R programming
Remote sensing
UAV/drone applications
Species distribution modelling
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Field-based ecological monitoring will be considered an advantage.