Job Details

Assistant Professor in Fish Ecophysiology

Position Number: 6767756
Location: Kingston, RI
Position Type: Agriculture - Animal Science

Assistant Professor in Fish Ecophysiology

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by January 10, 2026. Applications received after January 10, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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The Department of Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Sciences (FAVS) in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for an academic year (9-month), tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Fish Ecophysiology. URI, the top public university in New England, is a R1 land and sea grant research university located in Kingston, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car, bus, and rail about 40 min from Providence and 1.5 hours from Boston.

FAVS has 11 full-time tenure-track faculty members and 4 full-time teaching faculty. Our faculty conduct impactful research on pressing problems in animal health, sustainable food production, and fisheries and aquaculture management. Research spans from molecular and physiological mechanisms to ecosystem-level processes in terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine environments. Many faculty take advantage of Rhode Island's vibrant natural habitats and URI's research facilities, including East Farm aquaculture facilities, and the aquarium laboratories at the Narragansett Bay Campus. Our department has over 325 undergraduates majoring in either Aquaculture and Fisheries Science (BS), Animal and Veterinary Science (BS), or Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (BS), and offers courses for many undergraduates across campus. We offer an Accelerated Bachelors to Masters in Sustainable Systems and a 5th Year Master of Oceanography, as well as a Marine Technical Certificate, and Zoo and Aquarium Science Certificate. Our faculty mentor graduate students enrolled in thesis-based research at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels in the interdisciplinary Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program, and a Master of Environmental Science and Management program.

As the flagship university of the Ocean State, URI has a vibrant community of students, staff, and faculty focused on aquatic and animal research with ample opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. On the main campus, the Department of Marine Affairs develops policy, economics, and coastal management perspectives that translate scientific findings into actionable governance frameworks. The Department of Biological Sciences contributes expertise in marine ecology, molecular biology, and evolutionary biology. FAVS brings strengths in fish and shellfish biology, marine and freshwater aquaculture, fisheries science, and animal health and welfare. The Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), based on the Narragansett Bay Campus 6 miles from the main URI campus, offers dedicated facilities for marine research, including access to flow-through aquaria, mesocosms, and research vessels (both small and large). GSO faculty conduct cutting-edge research in biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography. In the Department of Ocean Engineering in the College of Engineering, faculty and students develop autonomous underwater vehicles, coastal resilience technologies, and marine renewable energy systems.

We invite individuals with a record of impactful research, as well as a demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching, experiential learning, and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels to apply. The successful candidate will generate an internationally recognized program of research and scholarship in fish ecophysiology with applications to aquaculture and fisheries. The candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, with emphasis on experiential learning in fish ecophysiology, finfish aquaculture, fish population dynamics, and similar topics relevant to our students' degree requirements. Priority will be given to candidates who show a commitment to broadening participation in science through research, pedagogical practices, and public engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop an externally funded research program, advise undergraduate and graduate students, engage in university service and support public engagement.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Establish a robust research program supported by extramural funding in fish ecophysiology and aquaculture, utilizing existing facilities at URI's East Farm and Narragansett Bay Campus. Notable areas for potential scholarship include, but are not limited to, physiological applications to sustainable aquaculture management, physiological responses to environmental stressors, metabolic and energetic trade-offs, thermal biology and climate adaptation, disease resistance and immune function, and/or how these factors impact population dynamics.
Develop a sustained record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in fish ecophysiology, finfish aquaculture, fish population dynamics, and related areas of expertise that will enhance degree programs in the Department of Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Sciences and the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, with an emphasis on experiential learning and applying inclusive, evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population.
Provide advising, training, and research mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
Engage in outreach and service activities as well as governance within the Department, College, University, and broader scholarly community.
Actively engage with the policy and communication dimensions of aquaculture governance and coastal management to ensure that research outputs contribute to the benefit of both state-level and broader communities.
Promote a culture within the department, college, and university that is empathetic, inclusive, and supportive, thereby fostering trust and collaboration among students, staff, and faculty.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:

1. Ph.D. or D.Phil. in fish physiology, ecophysiology, aquaculture, marine biology, biological sciences, population dynamics, or other closely related fields.

2. Postdoctoral research experience at time of application.

3. Record of scholarly achievement as shown by (a) publications related to fish ecophysiology and/or aquaculture in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or books, and (b) presentations at scientific meetings.

4. Expertise in using contemporary physiological and/or quantitative methods to study fish in laboratory, aquaculture, and/or field settings.

5. Ability to teach fish physiology, ecophysiology, aquaculture, population dynamics or related courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

6. Ability to broaden participation in science through research, pedagogical practices, and public engagement.

7. Commitment to participate in professional service and outreach as shown by participation in committees, organizations, or other activities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS for this position (strongest consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate this additional expertise and experience):

Experience with fish husbandry and aquaculture facility management.
Experience developing quantitative fish population models that could be applied to fisheries management.
Strong mathematical and/or statistical background.
Ability to work with industry partners, government, and stakeholders in aquaculture and fisheries.
Record of cross-disciplinary collaboration or training in policy and communication skills, including community engagement and cultural manners.
Success in obtaining funding through competitive grant programs (including graduate or postdoctoral fellowships and grants).
Evidence of effective teaching as the lead instructor of fish physiology, ecophysiology, aquaculture, population dynamics, or related courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level via inclusive practices that incorporate experiential learning.
Evidence of mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
Record of scholarly achievement as shown by publications, honors, and/or awards.
Expertise making research findings accessible to a broad audience through outreach, social media, and other mixed media outlets.

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EEO Statement:

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent
Department: Fisheries,Animal&VeterinarySci

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:

(#1) Cover letter describing qualifications for position and how you meet the minimum, and
where applicable, preferred qualifications (as one complete document).

(#2) Curriculum Vitae, including information pertaining to the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position, and the names and contact information for three professional references (as one complete document).

(#3) Statement of research interests and future research plans, no more than 3-pages in length. You should include proposed grant application strategy, research student mentorship philosophy and how your research program would complement and extend the Department of Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Sciences, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and URI (as one
complete document).

(#4) Statement of teaching philosophy and interests, no more than 2-pages in length and include current pedagogical experience, evidence of course development, and the integration of experiential learning into your classes (as one complete document).

(#5) Other Document - PDFs of up to three published or in-press papers (as one complete
document).

Position Number: 106402
Posting Number: F00511
Posting Date: 12/03/2025
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16051