Konza Prairie Early Career Faculty Fellowship (KPFF)

Faculty Fellowship Posting: Konza Prairie Early Career Faculty Fellowship (KPFF)

Position Title: Konza Prairie Early Career Faculty Fellow
Location: Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Site, Manhattan, KS
Stipend: $25,000 for 3-6 month residency
Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

The Konza Prairie LTER seeks an early-career faculty member to participate in the inaugural Konza Prairie Early Career Faculty Fellowship (KPFF). This fellowship is an initiative to foster a spirit of welcoming and belonging in the ecological sciences by creating lasting collaborations and increasing representation in Konza Prairie leadership.

Position Overview:
The KPFF is designed to support an early-career faculty member with an interest in grassland and savanna ecology to reside at the Konza Prairie (KNZ) for several months. The Fellow will have the flexibility to choose a summer residency or a semester-long sabbatical, during which time they will collaborate with Konza researchers, engage in fieldwork, and have access to KNZ’s unique long-term datasets and research facilities. We are open to scientists from multiple disciplines that contribute in some way to the Konza Prairie research program. Applications from faculty at Minority Serving Institution (MSI), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), or Tribal Colleges are strongly encouraged.

Key Responsibilities:

  •     Reside in Manhattan, KS, and participate in KNZ research activities for 2-6 months.
  •     Collaborate with KNZ investigators and initiate research projects at KNZ.
  •     Engage with the KNZ community through bi-monthly coffee hours, field days, and informal gatherings.
  •     Present a seminar at KSU on their previous research.
  •     Explore opportunities to develop long-term research projects and collaborations at KNZ.
  •     If during the summer, optionally mentor undergraduate students through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Eligibility Criteria:

  •     Early- to mid-faculty members preferred, though other career stages will be considered.
  •     Strong interest in grasslands and evolutionary and/ or ecology.
  •     A desire to establish long-term research at Konza Prairie.

Fellowship Benefits:

  •     A $25,000 stipend that can be used to help defray the costs of sabbatical expenses, including housing, travel, childcare, or research endeavors; stipend must be disbursed by Fall 2026.
  •     Depending on the timing of the visit, it may be possible to rent long-term housing on-site or on Kansas State University’s campus (KSU, ~8 miles from KNZ) at reduced rates.
  •     Access to KNZ’s long-term ecological datasets, specimen archives, and laboratory resources.
  •     Networking opportunities with KNZ researchers, including kick-off events, coffee hours, and workshops.
  •     Mentorship and support for grant proposal development and data collection.
  •     The potential to establish a long-term research program at KNZ and inclusion in future funding proposals.

About Konza Prairie LTER: Konza Prairie is a leading ecological research site focused on grassland ecology that supports faculty from over 20 different institutions. Most have long-term projects on site and collaborate closely to manage Konza’s research program. Konza is one of the longest running Long-Term Ecological Research Sites and has contributed both to ecologists’ understanding of basic and grassland ecology. We are committed to increasing the representation of scientists from a variety of groups at Konza and to creating a sense of belonging in our research community. The Konza Prairie LTER is committed to being a welcoming place, and has implemented several measures to foster a supportive environment for all researchers.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

  1.     A statement of intent (2 pg max) describing the applicant’s current research themes, ideas for potential work at KNZ, and experience in promoting success among populations of scientists from historically marginalized communities.
  2.     A curriculum vitae (CV).

To Apply: Please send the two documents above, combined into one PDF, to konzalter@gmail.com by December 15, 2024. Please use the subject line “KPFF application” in your email to submit the application package.

Join us in advancing ecological research and grassland conservation!