Cluster hire in Climate Change Decision Making (CCDM)

The University of Alabama, Department of Geography in collaboration with the Alabama Water Institute (AWI), seeks candidates for a cluster hire of three tenure-track appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor starting August 16, 2023. The three broad areas of interest in this cluster hire include: 1) geovisualization and spatial analysis to support climate change decision-making (CCDM), and 2) physical geography and 3) human geography research expertise that can provide actionable insights into climate impacts and adaptation.

1) Geovisualization and spatial analysis. We are seeking candidates with interests and expertise in geovisualization with supporting expertise in areas including, but not limited to social network analysis, geospatial Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, computational social science, participatory GIS or modeling, and/or integrated modeling.
2) Physical geography or related discipline. We are seeking candidates with interests and expertise in climate-related areas including, but not limited to, paleoclimatology, natural hazards, hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemical cycling, extreme weather and/or air-quality events, land-atmosphere interactions, and/or ecology.

3) Human geography or related discipline. We are seeking candidates with interests and expertise in climate-related areas including, but not limited to, decision sciences, health geography, natural resource management, natural hazards, socio-hydrology, land-use change, behavioral economics, community engagement research, and/or political ecology.

We see an urgent need for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and data-driven research leading to climate action. These strategic hires, combined with the Department’s existing strengths, will support innovative research and teaching in the areas of spatial and cognitive dimensions of climate impacts, adaptation, and action. The successful candidates will be expected to advance this vision by building a collaborative network among other faculty in the Department of Geography, AWI, and other relevant Departments and Institutes across campus. In addition, successful candidates’ professional accomplishments will include demonstrated ability or significant potential for securing external funding, the establishment of a nationally/internationally recognized research profile, and a commitment to successful graduate student recruitment and mentoring to support our Ph.D. program in Geography. A Ph.D. in Geography or closely related discipline at the time of appointment is required.

Faculty hired in this cluster would support and be supported by many possible collaborations with research Institutes and Centers at the University of Alabama along themes of food and water security (Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), AWI, Global Water Security Center (GWSC)), sustainable and just energy transitions (Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI)), climate-induced migration (GWSC, ATI), integrated climate impacts and adaptation modeling (CIROH, AWI), and climate-related health impacts and disparities (Alabama Life Research Institute (ALRI)). The Geography Department is a vibrant and growing departmental unit with 20 faculty members that share a vision of bettering the world through discovery, application, and communicating knowledge about the environment and interactions between society and Earth’s natural systems. The University of Alabama is a Carnegie Classified Research 1 institution, is rapidly growing (38,320 students), and provides excellent faculty support.

Applications received by October 24, 2022 will receive priority, and review will continue until the position is filled. Apply online at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu/postings/51281. Applicants must attach a cover letter, CV (including contact information for at least three references), and statements of research and teaching interests. For additional information, contact the Search Committee Co-Chairs, Dr. Wanyun Shao (wshao1@ua.edu) and Dr. Nicholas Magliocca (nrmagliocca@ua.edu).

We would also welcome written reflections about the candidate’s experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues and/or potential contributions to the DEI initiatives of UA and the Department. We are aware that Geography as discipline struggles with underrepresentation of women, indigenous peoples, and other minorities. The Department of Geography is committed to working to achieve better gender, racial, and cultural diversity in line with our Statement on DEI.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more.