[ES_JOBS_NET] Director of Research, Savanna Institute

[Erika MARIN-SPIOTTA]

Director of Research
The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Director of Research to lead current and future research work at the Savanna Institute.

Duties/Responsibilities
Agroforestry is poised for a potential major expansion in the coming years and decades, and our research team is working to prepare the improved tree crop varieties and refined systems and practices knowledge base needed to support this scale-up. The Director of Research will lead the Savanna Institute’s agroforestry research efforts (80% time) and have the opportunity to carry out relevant research or scholarship in their field (20%).

More specifically, they will:

  *   Lead current and future research work at the Savanna Institute:
     *   A tree crop cultivar development program with a staff of six plant breeders and other research professionals, applying methods like genomic selection and digital imagery-based phenotyping to six key tree crop species
     *   Programs in the landscape ecology, ecosystem science, and agronomic / horticultural management dimensions of agroforestry, with a staff of four (soon to be five) plant and soil scientists and other research professionals
     *   Potential future research areas, such as ag engineering or social sciences
  *   Act as the direct supervisor to most research staff
  *   Ensure strategy & mission alignment and operational excellence in the department
  *   Coordinate department staff in setting and implementing a grant writing strategy and personally participate in grant writing, developing sponsored research partnerships, or securing other funds to help fund research programs
  *   Cultivate external research partnerships, and coordinate with internal and external agroforestry outreach and education professionals to help inform research goals with on-the-ground farmer and other stakeholder needs
  *
If desired, carry out individual research or scholarship at the intersection of the Director of Research’s individual expertise and Savanna Institute’s research scope (Estimated time available: 20%)


Qualifications
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about the future of agroforestry, and has:

  *   A core commitment to using rigorous science as a tool to generate real results for people and planet
  *   A PhD in the agricultural or biological sciences, or a PhD in any discipline plus substantial demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with agricultural or biological science researchers
  *   Direct work experience as a researcher or scholar, accompanied by a meaningful peer-reviewed publication record
  *   Demonstrated success in soliciting and stewarding external funding from grantmaking agencies, foundations, or donors
  *   Prior experience managing a team of researchers, or a brief description of what makes you ready for your first people management job
  *   Interest and ability in being an effective external collaborator and communicator, and as a leader and participant in external research partnerships
  *
Candidates are required to locate in the Savanna Institute’s Midwest US service area of IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, IN, or MI. Preference may be given to candidates willing to locate within convenient driving distance of our primary field sites in southwestern WI and central IL

Benefits
This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 30 days paid time off per year, 3 weeks of paid family leave, a health reimbursement arrangement that can be applied to insurance premiums and approved healthcare costs, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, and a monthly home office stipend.

About Savanna Institute
Founded in 2013, the Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development.

https://savannainstitute.pinpointhq.com/postings/b824a579-06bf-41cd-8fb3-8a4631fbe31e


--
Prof. Erika Marín-Spiotta (she/her)
Biogeography and Biogeochemistry Research Group
Faculty Director, L&S Community of Graduate Research Scholars
Faculty Co-Director, WISELI<https://wiseli.wisc.edu/>
Co-Director, Wisconsin Sloan Center for Systemic Change<https://grad.wisc.edu/wisc2>

Department of Geography
University of Wisconsin-Madison
550 North Park St
Madison, WI 53706
marinspiotta at wisc.edu<mailto:marinspiotta at wisc.edu>

Office/Lab: Science Hall 223/230
Lab phone: 608-262-1855
Biogeolab website: marinspiotta.wordpress.com<https://marinspiotta.wordpress.com/>

ADVANCEGeo Partnership<https://serc.carleton.edu/advancegeo>: Empowering geoscientists to transform workplace climate

Note: While I sometimes send email outside of regular business hours, I do not expect the same from others.

The UW–Madison occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.ucar.edu/pipermail/es_jobs_net/attachments/20240422/e4cd213b/attachment-0001.htm>