Job Description

The University of Montana invites applications for the position of Director and Professor / Associate Professor at the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS). We seek an accomplished, visionary, and enthusiastic scholar to provide leadership for one of the world’s premier aquatic research and education facilities. The Director will guide FLBS’s research, education, and outreach programs, foster its national and international prominence in aquatic sciences, and strengthen the Station’s role as a vital contributor to the University of Montana and to the Flathead community.

The Director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station lives in residence at FLBS as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Station and reports to the Vice President for Research at UM while maintaining a tenured appointment in a campus academic unit. The Director will provide visionary leadership to maintain and expand FLBS’s excellence in aquatic research, education, and outreach.

This position is a full-time, residential 12-month academic and administrative leadership appointment supported by an experienced associate director. In addition to administrative duties at the station, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active research program and to engage in teaching consistent with the Director’s expertise, for example in FLBS’ summer session.

Please contact Richard Bridges directly with any questions related to this posting, richard.bridges@mso.umt.edu or 406-546-2445

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop, articulate, and implement a clear strategic plan for FLBS that advances its mission, enhances its regional, national, and international prominence, and fosters innovation in aquatic research and education.
• Research: Develop and sustain an active and well-funded research program in their area of expertise including postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate mentoring.
• Fundraising and Development: Lead major grant acquisitions and, with support from the FLBS’ development director, the UM foundation staff, and the FLBS Community Advisory Board, implement development efforts, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives to support FLBS programs, personnel, and infrastructure.
• Research Development, Coordination, and Facilitation: Envision, coordinate, and/or facilitate FLBS research projects to ensure their smooth execution, including development of interdisciplinary collaborative projects within UM and beyond.
• Teaching: Contribute to educational mission by delivering, for example, a field-based course in the FLBS summer session.
• Education and Training Program Oversight: Oversee and strengthen FLBS’ education, and training initiatives in coordination with UM departments and programs, ensuring integration with the university’s broader mission in support of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral education and training, including research opportunities, summer field courses, and internships.
• Community and External Engagement: Serve as a key representative of FLBS and provide information to stakeholders including government agencies, tribes, NGOs, community organizations, the public, and international partners. Support FLBS’ outreach programs, including the Flathead Lake Aquatic Research and Education K–12 program.
• Faculty and Staff Development: Mentor, evaluate, and support faculty and staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.
• Financial Stewardship: Oversee the Station’s budget, facilities, and operations to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Infrastructure and Facilities Oversight: Supervise the maintenance, improvement, and long term planning of FLBS’s physical plant, laboratory resources, and residential facilities to support long-term excellence.

• This is a 12-month, full-time academic and administrative leadership position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure in an appropriate UM academic unit and residence on-station at the Flathead Lake Biological Station.
• As eligible and as appropriate, the successful applicant may be provided access to proceeds from the $1M Jessie Bierman endowment for discretionary use to advance research and educational activities at FLBS.
• Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications.
• The University offers a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in ecology, environmental sciences, or a closely related aquatic field
• An outstanding record of sustained scholarly achievement in aquatic sciences involving ecological field studies
• Success in mentoring of postdoctoral, graduate, and/or undergraduate researchers
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated aptitude for obtaining external funding
• Experience in leading and managing research programs, budgets, facilities, and personnel
• Demonstrated capacity for fostering effective collaboration and inclusive excellence within a multidisciplinary community is preferred
• Ability to promote FLBS’ role as a global leader in aquatic research and education preferred
• Aptitude for and interest in fundraising and development initiatives preferred
• Experience in or capacity for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with tribal nations to address local, regional, and international natural resource issues is preferred
• Experience in undergraduate or graduate-level teaching preferred
• Experience or interest in K-12 education and public outreach to community members preferred
• Dedication to translation of scientific findings to inform stewardship of aquatic resources preferred
• Strong commitment to data management and sharing, including long-term monitoring data preferred
• Committed to elevating institutional goals and values beyond personal gain, ensuring efforts are mission-focused and quality driven preferred
• Integrity and commitment to the highest standards of professionalism preferred

Application Instructions

Priority Application Date: Sunday February 8, 2026

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all materials required for a complete application as indicated below.

• Cover Letter - describing interest in the position and proiding contact information for five references familiar with the applicant's work and leadership experience (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
• A current resume/CV
• A statement of research accomplishments and future directions
• A statement of leadership philosophy and vision for FLBS

More information about FLBS, the University of Montana, and surrounding communities can be found in the position profile

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions.