Assistant Research Professor/Post Doc Associate

University of Maryland, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: College Park, MARYLAND
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Details


Position Number: 128958
Title: Open Rank
Functional Title: Assistant Research Professor/Post Doc Associate
Category Status: 15-Fac.Non-Tenured,Continuing Con
Applicant Search Category: Faculty
University Authorized FTE: 1
Unit: BSOS-Geography
Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Department of Geographical Sciences at University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a Professional Track Research Faculty Member (non-tenure position) at either the Post-Doctoral Associate rank or the Assistant Research Professor rank, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary and benefits are highly competitive. This position will cover a range of human dimensions of global environmental change and crime, including support of very large international team science research projects, including “Reducing security risks from the intersectionality of wildlife trafficking and biosafety from zoonotic pathogens in Africa’s Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area,” other research projects, as well as new research proposed by the applicant.
The intersectionality of wildlife trafficking and biosafety from zoonotic pathogens and vectors has not received significant attention, although there are serious implications for health and national security. The successful applicant’s research will support critical surveillance, biosafety, and security (SB&S) efforts by creating new, and enhancing existing, capacity to address risks at the intersection of human-animal-ecosystem health, wildlife trafficking and zoonotic pathogens using geographical sciences. The applicant will join a dynamic and diverse interdisciplinary team with the unique experience and expertise to focus on anthrax and other zoonotic pathogens of security concern and pandemic potential in South Africa’s and Mozambique’s segments of The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), an unfenced transnational peace park.
The successful candidate will contribute to various aspects of research, including study design, data collection, data analysis and synthesis, creation, and dissemination of scholarly products, and actively engaging in team science activities such as structured face-to-face interviews, participatory mapping, participant observation, and spatial analysis. Candidates at the level of Assistant Research Professor must have a demonstrated ability to independently conduct research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications. Applicants should have a background in disciplines aligned with human geography and geographic information systems and sciences, including but not limited to interests in ecology, epidemiology, human-wildlife disease interface, medical/conservation/human geography, environmental justice, and global environmental change. There will be regular extended international fieldwork in remote locations along with community-based and participatory action research in South Africa and Mozambique. Candidates will contribute to science communication and diplomacy with diverse government officials.
Benefits Summary Top Benefits and Perks:

Faculty Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
  • An earned doctoral degree in Geographical Sciences or an allied field in environmental science is required.
  • Candidates with doctoral degrees in other fields with a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of geography and global environmental change will also be considered.



Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Competent programming, statistical (e.g., such as Python, IDL, MatLab, C/C++, R, TensorFlow), fieldwork, and GIS skills are required.
  • Candidates at the level of Assistant Research Professor must have a demonstrated ability to independently conduct research as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
Preferences:
Preferences:
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a transdisciplinary setting, across the social and natural sciences in order to understand and problematize socio-environmental system challenges and solutions. 
  • Vision, leadership potential, and enthusiasm to contribute to a vibrant and large science team. 
  • Ability to collaborate with all team members and stakeholders
  • Commitment to promoting a positive, diverse, and inclusive team culture. 
  • Experience in translating geographical sciences into action and/or work at the science-policy interface and/or work at the human-wildlife disease interface are beneficial. 
  • We are seeking to increase the proportion of minoritized individuals on the science team and individuals from abroad and/or with various backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly from the Global South. Portuguese, Shangaan and/or eastern South African language skills are desirable.
Additional Certifications:
Additional Information:
Applications should include a personal statement of background and experience relevant to the position, a signed, dated Curriculum Vitae, reprints (or accessible download urls) of selected peer-reviewed publications, and names and e-mails of 3-5 references. Applicants with specific research interests they would like to pursue at UMD are encouraged to contact Meredith Gore ([email protected]) to discuss their potential plans.
Posting Date: 11/06/2023
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled Yes
Best Consideration Date 12/15/2023
Physical Demands
Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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