Application to the Nicholas School

Cluster Hire in the Nicholas School of the Environment at the Intersection between Ecology and Hydrology

September 2009

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The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) at Duke University, with longstanding strengths in ecology and hydrology, is seeking to populate the interface between these fields with a cluster hire that will create a highly recognized and cross-disciplinary area mutually synergistic to these two existing strengths. NSOE anticipates hiring four tenure-track professors, with no restriction on the level of the appointment. Individuals and/or research groups are encouraged to apply.

Two broad questions will be used as the motivation and guidance for the cluster hiring

1. What mechanisms are responsible for the maintenance and variability of the Earth’s water cycle – especially with respect to its interaction with ecosystems?
2. Are the characteristics of the water cycle and concomitant biogeochemical cycles changing and, if so, to what extent are human activities responsible for those changes? Conversely, what are the consequences over a range of space and time scales of water and biogeochemical cycle variability and change for human societies and ecosystem services?

It is envisaged that the selected faculty members will tackle problems that vary from (i) short-term contraction and expansion of vegetation due to climatic fluctuations or self-regulation of the hydrologic cycle, to (ii) long-term stability and resilience of ecosystem goods and services, including the development of observable ‘markers’ or ‘fingerprints’ that can be used to track their health, to ultimately (iii) even longer geologic and evolutionary time scales such as the evolution of landscapes, stream network and the role of vegetation in such development.

The cluster hire seeks a balance between individuals bringing novel theoretical ideas and those bringing cutting-edge experimental or analytical methodologies to bear on these problems. Furthermore, we seek scholars with interest in collaborating with other units on campus, including Biology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Global Health Institute and the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. Finally, the successful candidate(s) will contribute to the NSOE’s curriculum at the undergraduate, professional master’s and doctoral level.

Consideration of applications will be begin immediately and will continue until the positions are successfully filled. Applications should submit a full CV, statement of research and teaching goals and arrange for three references.