Back to top

Assistant Professor position in Climate Data Analysis

Posted: 
09/20/2021
Expiration Date: 
10/31/2021

The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University is seeking applications for a full-time 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Climate Data Analysis. The position consists of 60% teaching, 30% research, and 10% service. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2022.

We seek an engaging educator and researcher with the technical proficiency and broader conceptual awareness of climate science who can help position and adapt watershed science research and management within the realities of the climate emergency. Other valuable characteristics include experience working with large, multi-dimensional data (e.g., netCDF, HDF, GRIB, TIFF), climate model outputs (i.e., CMIP GCMs, downscaled data), translating gridded climate data into other formats for hydroclimate and ecological analysis, uncertainty and risk quantification, meteorological station time series data, and/or making climate data tools for policymakers and decisionmakers. Other preferred characteristics include proficiency in Python and/or R, strong data visualization and communication skills, and experience leading collaborative efforts.

Utah State University is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive academic community.  We strongly encourage applications from candidates using pedagogical methods that enable students across racial, ethnic, identity and socio-economic groups to reach their maximum potential. 

Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the search committee chair, Joe Wheaton at Joe.Wheaton@usu.edu.

Responsibilities

The expected teaching load will be 4-5 courses (12 academic credits) per year, and may include one large-format undergraduate (3000 level) climate science course for non-majors, one or two upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses in data wrangling/management/analysis, one upper-level undergraduate/graduate course in programming and/or data visualization, one studio course in climate data at the graduate level. Some courses may be taught in short-course (i.e., 1-2 intense weeks or partial semester) or online asynchronous format. The successful candidate will also be expected to successfully compete for external research grants, mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral researchers, and publish peer-reviewed journal articles and other academic products. Promotion to Associate Professor with tenure is based on demonstrating excellence in the primary role area (teaching), and effectiveness in secondary roles (research and service).

The candidate's expertise should complement existing strengths in the Quinney College of Natural Resources and Department of Watershed Sciences. Through collaborations with faculty and extension personnel, the appointed faculty member is expected to become a key player in the highly productive team of watershed scientists at Utah State University. We are interested in applicants who can prosper within a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment of physical, life, and social scientists.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • An earned D. related to atmospheric science, meteorology, climatology, earth systems science, hydrology, civil/environmental engineering, or similar fields
  • Experience teaching courses and conducting research on climate science, with a corresponding publication record
  • An ability to develop an externally funded research program

Preferred Qualifications:

Relevant post-doctoral experience

  • A demonstrated ability to implement innovative teaching method
  • Experience working with large, multi-dimensional data (e.g., netCDF, HDF, GRIB, TIFF), climate model outputs (i.e., CMIP GCMs, downscaled data), translating gridded climate data into other formats for hydroclimate and ecological analysis, uncertainty and risk quantification, meteorological station time series data, and/or making climate data tools for policymakers and decisionmakers
  • A demonstrated ability and willingness to work productively with land management agencies and various stakeholder groups
  • A record of securing research funding
  • A demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity in STEM fields

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) Names and e-mail addresses of three (3) professional references

Please upload the following documents under "Other Documents 1-10"

  • Cover Letter summarizing your motivation, qualifications, and career goals. For candidates applying as a team in coordination with someone applying for the open Climate Resiliency Extension Specialist position, indicate how your experience and skillsets are synergistic.
  • A vision statement of up to two single-spaced pages describing your relevant research and teaching experience and articulating a vision for the program you would like to develop in the Department of Watershed Sciences.
  • A statement articulating how diversity, equity, and inclusion have figured into your past and/or potential future contributions in teaching, research, stakeholder engagement, and/or service.
  • Two of your most relevant peer-reviewed journal article publications and/or links to up to three other relevant academic products (e.g., course webpages, Extension materials, blogs, presentations)
  • Links or PDF to examples of other forms of communication of your craft to target audiences (e.g. websites, social media, radio, video, fact sheets, flyers, etc.) that demonstrate and illustrate your ability to convey complicated concepts to non-climate scientists.
  • Links to any scholar profiles: e.g. ResearchGate, Google Scholar, ResearcherID, OrcID

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA: Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

Utah State University is Utah's land-grant university with its main campus located in Logan, which offers affordable housing and the amenities of a college town within the Cache Valley metropolitan zone of ~115,000 people. Cache Valley is a 90-minute freeway drive north of Salt Lake City and its international airport. Cache Valley is positioned between the Wellsville and Bear River mountain ranges at the eastern edge of the Great Basin. Logan offers a superb array of outdoor activities minutes from campus (climbing, cycling, hiking, skiing, fishing, horseback riding), and is located within a day's drive of ten national parks.

As an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, USU is dedicated to recruiting strong candidates from a diverse applicant pool, including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities. USU offers competitive salaries with outstanding medical, retirement, and professional benefits and is sensitive to the needs of dual-career applicants.

Further information Quinney College of Natural Resources: http://qcnr.usu.edu Department of Wildland Resources: http://qcnr.usu.edu/wild/ Ecology Center: https://ecology.usu.edu/ Extension: https://extension.usu.edu/about-us Diversity and Inclusion: https://www.usu.edu/provost/diversity/ USU SACNAS chapter: https://sacnas7.wixsite.com/sacnasusu Logan and Cache Valley: http://www.tourcachevalley.com/

Potential applicants with specific questions are welcome to contact the search committee chair, Kari Veblen at kari.veblen@usu.edu.

University Highlights

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is honored to be Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is a Carnegie RU/H (Research University/High Research Activity) institution with approximately 27,700 students (24,660 undergraduates and 3,040 graduate students) on the Logan main campus. Utah State’s statewide system features eight campuses and 23 education centers and serves all counties in the state with Extension programs. USU offers 114 undergraduate majors, 132 graduate programs, and a variety of innovative stackable associate and certificate credentials. Washington Monthly ranked USU 14th in their national university rankings in 2019 and the 5th best public national university in the nation in 2018. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU is proud to provide a high-quality education at an affordable price. Additional information about Utah State University can be found here.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah; a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

  • Executive Director of the Office of Equity Alison Adams-Perlac, alison.adams-perlac@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266
  • Title IX Coordinator Hilary Renshaw, titleix@usu.edu, Old Main Rm. 161, 435-797-1266.
  • For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
  • U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov
  • U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.