The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), the administrative home for Alabama’s Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, invites applications for the position of Chair of the University Programs (UP).
We seek an accomplished administrator and a recognized scientist who will provide leadership and a vision that advances the field and prepares the next generation of marine scientists. The Chair is responsible for the academic well-being of DISL and assists the Executive Director in developing and promoting instructional programs. He or she will foster interactions with research organizations in both private and public sectors and serve as liaison between UP and other programs of the DISL. The UP Chair will maintain an active research program and train graduate students through a dual appointment at the Associate or Full Professor level at one of the affiliated universities in Alabama.
DISL, founded in 1971, promotes research, teaching and service in marine environmental science for the 22 colleges and universities of the state, and is part of the higher education system of Alabama. The UP faculty includes 13 tenure track individuals, several research track faculty and post-doctoral scholars in residence, summing to a total of 20 PhD-level researchers. The UP manages a large summer program that enrolls approximately 100 students in residence, a strong graduate program of 40 MS and PhD students, and a large extramurally supported research program.
The 42-acre DISL campus is located on the east end of Dauphin Island 30 miles south of Mobile, AL. The three main operational arms of DISL are the UP; the Estuarium, a public aquarium with close to 80,000 visitors annually; and the K-12 Discovery Hall Program, staffed by a faculty of Marine Educators that teaches more than 10,000 students per academic year and operates a successful summer residential program. There is a dedicated technical support staff to supervise analytical services, maintain field gear and operate an AAUS affiliated dive program. Other resources include a recirculating, climate controlled wet lab; large outdoor mesocosm facility; fleet of small research vehicles and vessels; and the 65-ft Alabama Discovery and 42-ft E.O. Wilson teaching and research vessels. Many other UP support facilities are shared with the Discovery Hall Program, including, dormitories, a cafeteria, and computer labs. More information about the DISL can be found at http://disl.org
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to manage an academic enterprise in a collaborative manner. He or she will have strong interpersonal and communication skills with an outstanding academic record consistent with a senior faculty appointment. Salary will be commensurate with experience and a generous start-up package will be made available. A Ph.D. in the Marine Sciences, or a related field, is required. Applicants should submit a single document that includes a description of how their prior research and administrative experience qualifies them for the position of UP Chair, a current CV, and the names and contact information of 3-5 references. The position will remain open until filled, with interviews anticipated to begin in April 2017. Application packages may be sent to the attention of Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael, upsearch@disl.org.
The MESC/DISL is an e/o/employer. Find more information about DISL atwww.disl.org.