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Posted: 19-May-26
Location: Stony Brook and Madagascar
Categories:
Internal Number: 167803
Position:
Stony Brook University seeks an Associate Director for the Institute for Conservation of Tropical Environments (ICTE)/Centre ValBio (CVB) to provide leadership and promote a productive environment that fosters innovation and excellence in CVB’s research, education, and outreach programs. The Associate Director should have academic expertise in one or more core areas covered by CVB, which covers the natural sciences. (e.g., ecology, evolutionary biology, zoology, botany, organismal biology [e.g., entomology, herpetology, etc.], natural history, paleontology, primatology, ecology and evolution of infectious disease, ecology and evolution of behavior, tropical ecology and evolution), applied natural sciences (e.g., conservation biology, tropical forestry), or at the interface between science and society (e.g., anthropology, one health, biodiversity management). While holding a tenure home in an allied department at the main SBU campus on Long Island, the Associate Director is expected to reside at CVB in Madagascar for a great proportion of the first two-to-three years of their appointment, and at least one academic term each year thereafter.
Led by Stony Brook University’s Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, CVB is poised to become a leading biological field station, enabling unparalleled access to a global biodiversity hotspot in Madagascar. Located in Ranomafana National Park, Ifanadiana, Madagascar, CVB hosts a small community of visiting faculty (~5-15 annually), graduate students (~10-20 annually), postdoctoral scholars and academic specialists (~3-6 annually), and ~135 support staff, as well as three vibrant multi-season study abroad undergraduate programs.
CVB is unique in its ability to support integrated laboratory and field research in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar. Its large year-round expert staff, state-of-the-art laboratory, research and teaching facilities, and connections to researchers at dozens of global universities have no parallel in Madagascar. Major research facilities at CVB include: a genomics lab, ultracold freezers, liquid nitrogen generation, cell culture facilities, and an herbarium and insectarium. Centre ValBio’s staff includes research technicians who specialize in identifying local plant and insect life, recording primate behavioral ecology, collecting specimens, and conducting biodiversity surveys. These staff provide research support services to visiting faculty and researchers for work both at Ranomafana National Park and expeditionary work across Madagascar, facilitating the production of new knowledge about some of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Additionally, Centre ValBio’s education and reforestation teams work with local communities to promote conservation education, restore areas of disturbed and degraded forest, and improve educational opportunities in local communities. Additional information about CVB can be found at https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/centre-valbio/.
Specific responsibilities:
The Associate Director provides visionary leadership for CVB in research and education, congruent with the mission of Stony Brook University, and is expected to maintain and enhance a productive environment for faculty, students, and both academic and non-academic staff. The Associate Director serves as the principal academic representative of CVB with authority and responsibility for decisions on all aspects of research administration. In their capacity as Associate Director, this position reports directly to CVB’s Executive Director and this academic position has an important administrative leadership component of ~30% of the total time. Key responsibilities of the CVB Associate Director are carried out with the support of specialists and administrative staff. These responsibilities include:
- Providing visionary and strategic leadership for advancing and articulating the scientific mission of CVB, promoting U.S. national and international prominence in research across disciplines as outlined above,
- Overseeing the research programs at CVB with the Executive Director and coordinating these programs with SBU main campus departments,
- Overseeing the CVB budget and working with the CVB Chief Operating Officer and Finance Coordinator to ensure fiscally responsible program implementation, execution, and strategic investment in line with CVB’s vision and mission,
- Leading major grant efforts in support of CVB programs, and supporting development and fundraising efforts in conjunction with the Executive Director and Director of Development,
- Ensuring that CVB programs are fully integrated into the academic programs of SBU,
- Developing and supporting undergraduate and graduate research and learning experience with the relevant CVB staff, and
- Fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, creativity, and mentorship to create an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds and cultures can meet their full potential, thrive and help fulfill CVB’s role in SBU’s mission.
Required Qualifications:
Doctorate degree (or foreign equivalent) - Life sciences or related discipline, as outlined above.
An outstanding record of achievement including leadership, team building, distinguished scholarship, and dedication to the university?s higher education mission, especially in a public setting. Candidates should have: 1) demonstrated potential to lead and manage a dynamic program of interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach; 2) a record of research excellence and grantmaking or similar fundraising in any of the areas outlined above; and 3) strong interpersonal and people management skills. The applicant should have an appreciation for the range of disciplines related to the broader life sciences and the diverse functions of research, education, and outreach at a tropical field site. Candidates must be prepared for coordination of a large, diverse, and international community at a tropical field site. They must also demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to promote an organization such as CVB and increase its U.S. national and international stature.
This is an annual-year (12-month) full-time academic appointment based at SBU Main and CVB campuses at the level of Associate or Full Professor, with a tenure appointment in a campus department appropriate to the candidate's expertise. In their capacity as Associate/Full Professor at a Main campus tenure home (50%), this position reports to the head of the relevant department. The incumbent is expected to engage in teaching, though at ~50% of the capacity expected at the home department, and teaching may be associated with study-abroad programs at CVB. The incumbent is also expected to continue their research program (i.e., through student mentoring, publication, and relevant grantmaking) in connection to their joint appointment at both their tenure home and CVB.
The incumbent is expected to begin their position January 2026 or negotiable. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. SBU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://www.stonybrook.edu/jobs/working-here/).
Preferred Qualifications:
Working knowledge of Malagasy. Professional working proficiency in French. Expertise and experience in research and outreach in sub-Saharan continental Africa and/or Madagascar.
Required application materials:
Applicants for the position of Associate Director should submit 1) a CV that emphasizes required qualifications outlined above, and 2) a cover letter no longer than 2 pages (excluding references) that specifically addresses the candidate?s experience, aptitude, and interest in each of the required qualifications. The letter should describe interest in the position with an emphasis on leadership experience, particularly as it relates to a field campus such as CVB, as well as approaches to research development in international settings and student success.
At the end of the cover letter, please include names and contact information for five (5) references who are familiar with your work and leadership experience. Letters are not initially required, and referees may be approached for additional information only after obtaining the applicant's permission to do so.
Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. Employment is contingent on your full and complete disclosure on these matters. In the event that you fail to disclose any such matter or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome of the disclosure and review process, an offer of employment may be revoked at SBU's sole discretion. If SBU becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation.
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (631) 632- 6350. It can also be viewed online at the University Police website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/police.
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and creating an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
If you need a disability-related accommodation, please get in touch with the Office of Equity and Access at (631)632-6280.
Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, sexual misconduct, or research misconduct, among other infractions. In support of this commitment, certain candidates for employment will be required to disclose such employment-related misconduct findings and pending investigations or proceedings, and final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions will authorize their current and previous employer(s) from the last seven (7) years to disclose such information to the University. Employment is contingent on your full and complete disclosure on these matters. In the event that you fail to disclose any such matter or in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome of the disclosure and review process, an offer of employment may be revoked at SBU's sole discretion. If SBU becomes aware of a failure to disclose or misrepresentation of any such matter after your employment commences, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
