The UC Berkeley Natural Reserves & Field Stations and the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology are seeking nominations for a new Faculty Director of the Hastings Natural History Reservation, effective July 1, 2025.
About the Hastings Natural History Reservation
The Hastings Natural History Reservation is located in Carmel Valley of Monterey County, California. This 2,500 acre property encompasses a range of habitats, including oak woodlands, chaparral, native grasslands, recovered agricultural fields, and several riparian corridors. Established in 1937 as a field-based research center under the auspices of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ), Hastings joined the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) in 1965. In addition to a wealth of opportunities to study extant organisms, numerous archival data sets are available on site and on campus, through the Berkeley Natural History Museums. Hastings is one of UC Berkeley’s Field Stations and Natural Reserves, which are administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
These “living laboratories” create opportunities to explore patterns and processes of biological diversity, including landscape dynamics, ecosystem interactions, and response to environmental change. These sites promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research in a variety of fields, from biological and environmental sciences to social sciences and environmental humanities. They also serve as an invaluable resource for instructors who teach field-based classes.
Overview of Position
The Faculty Director will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Hastings Natural History Reservation by fostering a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive atmosphere for research, teaching, and outreach. This appointment is for an initial five-year term and provides limited compensation. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2025. Key responsibilities include:
- Advocacy & Representation: Serve as Hastings’ primary advocate, promoting its value internally and to external partners. Work closely with the Berkeley Field Stations and Natural Reserves Coordinating Faculty Director and Administrative Director to make campus-wide management decisions. Serve on the Berkeley NRS Advisory Committee and/or the Universitywide NRS Committee, which advises the Office of the President.
- Research & Teaching Leadership: Lead efforts to promote innovative research and field instruction, ensuring that the field station remains a dynamic and attractive place for faculty and students engaged in environmental and interdisciplinary research.
- Fundraising & Donor Stewardship: Articulate a compelling vision and work with faculty and fundraising staff to secure financial resources from external partners in order to support the long-term viability of existing programs and new initiatives.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Uphold UC Berkeley’s Principles of Community by fostering a culture of collaboration and respect among faculty, staff, and students. Encourage partnerships with other UC campuses, local institutions, and research networks, ensuring that Hastings is a vibrant, inclusive, and productive environment for all involved.
- Management & Stewardship: Support Hastings staff efforts in land and resource management, including the implementation of field research programs and environmental stewardship practices, such as prescribed burns. Hastings has two full time staff positions including a Resident Director and a Reserve Steward position.
Desirable Candidate Qualifications
The ideal candidate must have an understanding of and commitment to field-based research and education. The Director should have the leadership qualities to foster innovative research and field instruction among faculty and students, promote outreach, and sustain and expand financial resources to support existing and new infrastructure, research programs, and activities. These leadership qualities must include a commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion while fostering a positive climate of collaboration and respect of staff. The successful candidate will ideally also have an interest in developing a research and/or teaching program at Hastings. Ideal candidates also have demonstrated the ability or strong potential to secure funding for the station, with experience or aptitude for engaging with new prospects and existing donors (foundations and private individuals) and/or pursuing federal/state support.
Nomination Process
The position is open to tenured faculty members from any discipline. Nominations and self-nominations are welcome.
Please submit nominations and self-nominations by completing the online form by Friday, March 21, 2025. Upon receipt of nominations, the appointed search advisory committee will request interested nominees to submit a 2-3 page CV and a letter of interest, which should provide a brief statement highlighting why the nominee is well-suited for the role.
Acknowledgement
In sharing this call for nominations, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing Director Eileen Lacey. Lacey has served as Faculty Director for the past 18 years and provided steadfast leadership for Hastings during this time. She has overseen significant facility and programmatic improvements at Hastings, including the renovation of many existing facilities and the addition of new classrooms and living facilities. Lacey helped ensure the financial stability of Hastings by establishing new endowed funds. Through her tireless efforts, she has been a strong advocate and has made a lasting impact at Hastings and the Berkeley field stations.