The Department of Geology and Geography in West Virginia University invites applicants for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Science beginning August 11, 2023. This is a 9-month, full-time, tenure track position with full benefits. Candidates with research applications to sustainability challenges of the 21st century, and candidates whose research and scholarship support WVU’s land-grant mission are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Geology and Geography is in the process of transitioning itself into a School focused on the physical and social dimensions of global sustainability. Successful candidates will be joining four other hires in hydrogeology, energy, sustainability science/studies. Faculty in the department secure significant external research funding, teach thousands of students and provide service to the state, Appalachian Region, and the world. The department currently supports 34 graduate teaching assistants, 36 graduate research assistants and two graduate fellows. The department has outstanding geospatial science teaching and research facilities, hosts the WV GIS Technical Center and WVU Center for Resilient Communities and is housed in its own extensively renovated Brooks Hall on the downtown campus of WVU. WVU is a comprehensive land-grant university that enrolls 29,000 students. It is classified as “highest research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation. The Morgantown campus is situated along the Monongahela River and Rail Trail and within 10 miles of Cooper’s Rock State Forest, and is within easy traveling distance of Washington, D.C. to the east, Pittsburgh, PA, to the north, and Cleveland and Columbus, OH, to the west. Morgantown is a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly community. WVU provides faculty members with a supportive environment for developing a visible and productive career (https://talentandculture.wvu.edu/new-employees). WVU also offers a Dual Career Program to assist partners in their career transition and job search.

Qualifications

The successful applicant must have: 1) a PhD. or equivalent doctoral degree by the time of appointment in Geography or closely related field such as Geographic Information Science, Geoinformatics, Earth Science, Geoscience, or Urban and Regional Planning; 2) teaching or research capabilities in one or more of the following areas: geographic information science, spatial analytics, spatial data science, remote sensing, and/or digital cartography/geovisualization; 3) the ability or potential to teach courses such as: Digital Earth and GIS, Geospatial Problem Solving, Remote Sensing, an upper level geospatial undergraduate class, and a graduate course; 4) demonstrate the potential for excellent teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels; 5) demonstrate the ability or potential to publish peer-reviewed research and secure external funding for research. The teaching load is two courses or course equivalents per semester.

To apply, please upload 1) a letter of application that speaks to WVU’s land grant mission; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a teaching statement that includes how you will contribute to pedagogical innovation and mentor students; 4) a research statement; 5) unofficial transcripts; 6) a list of at least three references. Finalist will be asked for additional information including letters of recommendation. The screening process will begin December 15, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. For more information, please visit our website www.geo.wvu.edu or contact the chair of the search committee, Dorothy Vesper at [email protected].

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU’s academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.