Assistant Professor of Marine Sciences

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Marine Sciences seeks a dynamic colleague with expertise in nearshore oceanography to join our multidisciplinary department as a full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor.  Possible areas of research expertise include but are not limited to: marine coastal environments, sediment transport, coastal hazards, coastal geomorphology, surf zones, and coastal climate change.  Physical or geological scientists working to understand how coastal systems are shaped by natural and/or anthropogenic processes are encouraged to apply.  The successful candidate will teach courses and advise students within the Marine Sciences undergraduate (BS, BA) and graduate Oceanography (MS, PhD) degree programs.

The successful candidate is expected to grow an independent, internationally-recognized, extramurally-funded research program that engages and trains graduate and undergraduate students in oceanography and contributes to the Department’s research mission in marine sciences through scholarly publications and grants. The successful candidate is expected to teach courses in their area of expertise as well as introductory courses in oceanography or marine sciences. Professional service to the Department, University, and the scientific community is expected.

New faculty have opportunities to participate in the engaged scholarship supported by the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) and the newly designated Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR).  Additional opportunities for collaboration exist with the Connecticut Initiative on Environmental Research of Offshore Wind (CIEROW), across the University’s Colleges, Centers, and Institutes (https://provost.uconn.edu/ ), and within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which encourages on  cross-cutting academic themes, such as The Earth and Its Future; Sustainable Systems, Global Resources, and World Cultures; and Big Data: Science, Policy and Ethics (https://clas.uconn.edu/research ).  Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core institutional and Department values. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in their research, teaching, and service.

The Department of Marine Sciences (https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/ ) has 19 tenure-track faculty members, 5 research professors, and an average enrollment of 45 graduate students and 100 undergraduate majors. Opportunities for collaboration exist with departmental faculty whose research interests span a range of ocean science topics. The Department and its faculty have state-of-the-art research facilities including the R/V Connecticut and a fleet of smaller research vessels, a scientific diving program, running seawater facility, high-performance computational resources, analytical instrumentation, and modern research laboratories. The Department’s academic programs offer its students the support of a small campus coupled with the resources of a large public research university and internationally renowned scientists.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

The Department is located at the Avery Point campus, situated on the coast in southeastern Connecticut.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent in oceanography or a related field or international equivalent by August 23, 2024.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Evidence of excellence in research and publication commensurate with time since Ph.D.
• Research skills and experience appropriate to the advertised position.
• Evidence of potential for teaching courses related to marine science or oceanography to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through pedagogy, research, public engagement, and/or other professional activities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-doctoral or equivalent experience at time of appointment.
• Evidence of potential to generate and grow an externally funded innovative research program and support and mentor students in oceanography.
• Use of observational and/or modeling approaches broadly related to the advertised position in research or teaching.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in marine science (e.g., oceanography, sediment transport, nearshore processes, etc.).
• Interest in working in multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary environments.
• Demonstrate ability to contribute to Department and College strategic priorities through research, teaching, service, and/or public engagement. 

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time (9-month appointment) tenure-track position within the Department of Marine Sciences with an anticipated start date of Fall 2024. The successful candidate’s office and research space will be at the Avery Point Campus in Groton, CT. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25967 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Teaching statement (2 pages maximum): Include teaching philosophy, experience, approaches to effective learning, and interests in teaching particular courses, as well as mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students);
• Research and scholarship statement (3 pages maximum): Include research accomplishments, short-term (next 5 years) and long-term plans, and experience in grant proposal development. This statement should describe the big picture implications of your research, how your program may move your field forward, and the innovative concepts that will form the basis of your academic career);
• Commitment to diversity statement (2 pages maximum): Describe your overarching philosophy as well as planned activities to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and meet the needs of diverse learning styles at UConn. This statement might also include activities you have engaged in to enhance diversity and broaden participation in science (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, ability) through service, instruction, or research);
• Names and contact information for 3 letters of reference. The search committee will request letters directly from these contacts after the first-round review of applications.

Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. 

Applicants should add the email address [email protected] as a safe sender. For more information regarding the Department of Marine Sciences please visit our website at www.marinesciences.uconn.edu .

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This job will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.