Photo Credit: Elyse Butler

Ruth D. Gates Endowed Chair in Coral Reef Systems

Updated Application Deadline: July 15, 2022

The Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and to UH Mānoa’s strategic priority and institutional goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. An inclusive workplace strengthens the community. We encourage all to apply.

The Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa invites applications for the newly established Ruth D. Gates Endowed Chair in Coral Reef Systems, which honors the distinguished research and outreach of the late Dr. Gates. This 11-month, tenure-track faculty position is 75% research and 25% instruction at the rank of Full Research Professor. Exceptional candidates may be considered at the level of Associate Research Professor.  The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build an exemplary, collaborative, extramurally funded research program that will engage and complement the expertise of our existing faculty, mentor graduate students, and contribute to instructional initiatives in the Marine Biology Graduate Program (MBGP).   We invite excellent applicants from any discipline/s of coral reef systems research with a vision for innovative, integrative, and transdisciplinary basic or applied research in coral reefs, including but not limited to socio-ecological systems, environmental engineering, solution-oriented technology including artificial intelligence, reef fisheries, oceans and human health, ridge-to-reef processes, and sustainability science, in addition to biology/ecology of coral reef ecosystems.  We anticipate that this individual will collaborate broadly, enhancing the connections within HIMB and between HIMB and community and agency partners, policy makers, and other researchers at UH and across the globe.  The successful applicant will have outstanding communication skills and a commitment to fostering a healthy and respectful community and supporting diverse faculty, staff, and students. For the instructional component of the position, we encourage integrative and transformative contributions that expand the educational role of HIMB and MBGP and leverage its exceptional setting and resources.  Ability to advance research in a changing world, priority on promoting diversity and equity, student mentoring, scientific excellence, and collegiality will be the primary criteria in selecting the successful candidate.  See the application page for specific minimum and desirable qualifications.

About HIMB

The mission of HIMB is to be a global hub for cutting-edge science and technology aimed at understanding and conserving tropical marine and coastal ecosystems. The Institute’s principal facilities and operations are located on Moku o Loʻe (Coconut Island), a 29-acre island surrounded by a coral reef in Kāneʻohe Bay on the windward side of the island of Oʻahu, about 15 miles from the UH Mānoa campus. The research, education, and service programs at HIMB currently encompass basic and applied aspects of tropical marine biology, coral reef ecology, and marine science education research and curriculum development, including areas of emphasis in the following five sub-disciplines: 1) coral reef biophysical and biogeographical research; 2) coral reef physiology, ecology, evolution, and biodiversity; 3) fisheries research; 4) population–, spatial and behavioral ecology of marine megafauna; and 5) K-20 marine education and community outreach. The Institute has just completed a $40 million renovation of its facilities to accommodate growing research and education programs, and in support of approximately 150 employees, including 23 research faculty. 

Committed the UH Mānoa’s strategic priority and institutional goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, HIMB has a deep engagement with, and commitment to, its neighborhood educational and non-profit organization partners, including but not limited to the Windward Community College, the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Koʻolau Foundation, Paepae o Heʻeia, Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, The Pacific American Foundation, and the Kāneʻohe and Kahaluʻu Neighborhood Boards. In collaboration with many of these partners, HIMB serves as administrative lead for the recently designated Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve, approximately 1,400 acres of estuary and coastal wetland in Kāneʻohe Bay, including Moku o Loʻe.  The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a land-, sea-, space-and sun-grant institution with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students. In addition to its own faculty and staff, HIMB sponsors affiliated faculty from other University of Hawaiʻi campuses, scientists from federal and state agencies, short-term visiting scientists, and adjunct faculty. 

How to Apply

Inquiries, applications, and nominations are being accepted for this position. Review of applications will begin on or about July 15, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. 

Applications are submitted through this posting on NEOGOV.  To apply, please click the “Apply” button located at the top right. Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NEOGOV, you will need to create an account. Please attach the following to the online application: (1) a cover letter summarizing the candidate’s interest and qualifications for the position, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) statements of (i) research interests, (ii) teaching interests, and (iii) your commitment to and/or experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion , (4) pdfs of three representative publications, and (5) the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least four professional references. Questions about NEOGOV should be directed to Steffiny Nelson (steffiny@hawaii.edu; 808-236-7450). For inquiries about the position email rcrthimb@hawaii.edu

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The University of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai‘i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai‘i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/The University of Hawai‘i does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, or disability in its programs and activities. For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/coordinator/