Lecturer in Tropical Marine Ecology

Center for Marine Resource Studies (CMRS), South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Island · Education

Institutional Mission:
The School for Field Studies (SFS) creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

Position:
Lecturer in Tropical Marine Ecology

Reports to:

Center Director, Dr. Heidi Hertler

Dean, Office of Academic Affairs, Dr. Katie Goodall

Location:
Center for Marine Resource Studies (CMRS), South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Island

Start Date:
Anticipated travel and arrival to CMRS are scheduled for August 26, 2026. This is a temporary contract position from August 26 - October 23, 2026. The selected candidate will participate in required virtual trainings prior to arrival, scheduled for the weeks of July 27 and August 17, 2026.

Compensation/Benefits:
The contract will include a stipend or reimbursement for economy round-trip airfare from the selected candidate’s home of record, as well as on-site room and board and meals provided at CMRS for the duration of the contract.

Position Summary:
The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies, located in South Caicos seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester in South Caicos. On a contract basis, the Lecturer in Marine Ecology will deliver the 50-hour Tropical Marine Ecology course during the fall semester.

SFS programs are field-based and experiential. This position will engage students in a classroom and through extensive time spent in the field. We encourage faculty to integrate as much fieldwork and hands-on experience into their courses as possible.

SFS programs do not follow a nine to five model. Faculty are also integral members of the Center’s communal living model, eating and working with the student cohort.

Faculty are expected to be active members in the community-building process. Additional responsibilities outside of teaching may include participation in community engagement days, involvement in student life, organization of laboratory space, and general Center upkeep. We are especially interested in candidates with experience teaching to a diverse student body, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in a learning environment, conservation, and the Center’s host community.

Center Focus:
The SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies (CMRS), a field station located on South Caicos Island in TCI, is committed to providing educational and research opportunities to visiting students while collaborating with local stakeholders on setting the research agenda and sharing research outcomes. We operate year-round, delivering two semester and two summer programs. During program time, we operate a 6-day work week. The Center strives to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainable management of South Caicos marine resources and ecosystems, to the better management of the terrestrial environment, and towards the preparedness of the local community for the advent of mainstream tourism. The Center research activities are carried out in three areas: assessment and monitoring of marine environments, conservation and management of marine resources, and socio-economic conditions for development.

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion:
SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve.

Duties and Responsibilities
Each lecturer is expected to provide high quality, inquiry- and field-based experiential learning opportunities.

Teaching

As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach one-third of the academic program (minimum 60 lecture hours per semester)

Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum

Organize lectures and prepare course materials in a timely and professional manner

Adhere to the daily academic schedule

Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, mid-term and final examinations

Actively support and counsel students on academic issues

Maintain records of lectures, exams, quizzes, readings, field experiences and homework assignments

Research

Prepare research permits for government department and research results for stakeholders, partners, and government entities and for publication and conference presentations

Assist in the creation and implementation of Center research policies, priorities, budgets as required

Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems

Administration

Participate in planning activities prior to the program start and in review/analysis following course delivery (minimum of 5 days)

Participate in training activities for new Center staff prior to and during the program, particularly assistants and managers. Participate in and lead parts of the orientation and re-entry components of the program presented to students at the beginning and end of each program period

In cooperation with other Center staff, provide day-to-day coordination of assistants as delegated by the Center Director

Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems

Participate in preparation of the final reports, academic handbook revisions and other required reports

As requested by the Center Director, assist with other logistical, group management and administrative tasks

Safety & Risk Management

Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the Center faculty/staff team, for the safety of all program participants

Prepare Risk Management Plans for course field exercises

Participate in the review and revision of Center risk assessment and management plans

Recommend and review policies and procedures needed to manage risks

Know the emergency procedures plan for the Center, including evacuation plan

Participate in the safety portions of the on-site orientation and conduct safety briefings for students and/or staff

Complete incident reports when appropriate and contribute to safety audits

Comply with, actively model, and enforce all SFS and Center policies and procedures

Daily Center Life

Live on-site for the duration of contract period and take meals with the students

On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Center-specific "staff of the day" duties

Take part in, and occasionally lead community outreach, Center upkeep projects, social and field activities

Adhere to, actively model and enforce all SFS and Center policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree, significant experience or scholarship, university-level teaching experience in Tropical Marine Ecology, or related field.

Field research experience, preferably in the fields of Queen Conch, Spiny Lobster, and Reef Fish Ecology; Tropical Coastal Zone Ecology; Marine Protected Areas; Coral Reef Monitoring; Marine Policy Formulation

Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team

Good track record of research publications

Certified SCUBA diver, Rescue or Divemaster preferred

Small boat handling experience

Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues

Preferred Qualifications:

Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in Tropical Marine Ecology, or related field.

Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with small island governments

Residential student group management and risk management experience highly desirable

Experience teaching field courses

Current First Aid, CPR, and /or Wilderness First Aid certification

Other Expectations:

Willingness to work flexible hours and live on site at the field station with a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduate students and visiting researchers or programs

Participate in the residential campus activities and community outreach

At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community

Expectations for Faculty Conduct: The School for Field Studies strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. The SFS environment is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. SFS will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind. Through enforcement of this policy and by education of employees, SFS seeks to prevent, correct, and discipline behavior that violates this policy.

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check, which may include, depending on the candidate’s home of record and local requirements, a certificate of good standing or clearance from the local police precinct. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates and on all employees as deemed necessary.

The successful candidate will provide high quality, modern and experiential teaching in critical environmental issues in an interdisciplinary curriculum and participate fully in the implementation of the Center’s five-year research plan that addresses these issues. The successful candidate will work closely with the lecturers in Socioeconomics and Marine Resource Management to deliver an interdisciplinary program through education and research in a field setting.

Course Description:

Tropical Marine Ecology: Marine ecology is the study of how marine organisms interact with their biotic and abiotic environments. In this course we will focus on the biological processes and trophic webs that exist in the ecosystems that dominate the shallow coastal areas of the tropical western Atlantic, i.e. mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs, as well as the behavior and biology of the organisms that inhabit them. Furthermore, we will explore the ways in which Marine Protected Areas, climate change and hurricanes can affect ecological processes, and we will learn some of the practical field data collection techniques that can be employed to assess marine communities.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full course syllabi and programs descriptions on the SFS website: Marine Resource Studies – School for Field Studies

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and references outlining relevant experiences via the online application on the SFS Careers page at https://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

SFS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnic origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.