Open position: Assistant Professor of Oceanography – (2 Positions)- Deadline 15 February 2023

The coastal ocean is undergoing dramatic transformations due to both local anthropogenic pressures and global climate change. The resilience of coastal marine regions is dependent on interactions among a dynamic set of components, including complex biological systems (including humans), shifting chemical baselines, and altered land-sea-air interactions. The University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) seeks applicants for two faculty positions at the assistant professor level to address changes occurring in coastal regions across the globe. Successful applicants will develop research and teaching programs that address the fundamental underpinnings of coastal ocean systems and apply them through transdisciplinary studies to coastal processes and resilience. New faculty will join GSO during the onset of a $170 million investment by Rhode Island in redevelopment of URI’s Bay Campus, including a new, $35 million ocean engineering and large-scale tank facility and the commissioning of a new, state-of-the-art regional class UNOLS research vessel R/V NARRAGANSETT DAWN.

GSO encourages applications from researchers whose work directly intersects or has capacity to contribute to coastal processes and resilience. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Biological oceanographers with a focus on middle and upper trophic level biology in the coastal water column and/or benthos.
• Physical oceanographers with a focus on processes in estuarine or continental shelf regions, ranging from circulation to submesoscale and mixing.
• Chemical oceanographers with a focus on natural or anthropogenic biogeochemistry focused on coastal regions, including coastal resilience, organic geochemistry, and trace elements to fundamental disciplinary topics.
• Geological oceanographers with a focus on coastal hazards, history and rates of coastal change, and coastal processes (including sea level change, sediment transport, erosion and deposition, human coastal modification, seafloor morphological change, continental margin tectonics, and geodesy).

We particularly encourage applicants who use tools and approaches that encompass remote sensing/optics, machine learning, process-based modeling and data assimilation, bioinformatics, instrument development and use of new and innovative autonomous platforms.

The GSO recognizes that oceanographers do not reflect the diverse spectrum of humanity and that oceanography will be strengthened by contributions from a broad range of perspectives. GSO strives to be a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion – and to change the way the STEM world approaches these issues with real commitments to representation, social, and environmental justice. We seek innovation and inspiration for the next generation of ocean scientists, educators, and explorers. As such, we particularly welcome candidates from groups that are historically underrepresented, marginalized, or excluded in our field and/or have demonstrated leadership towards building an equitable and inclusive scholarly environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job Summary/Basic Function

Successful candidates are expected to establish a nationally and internationally recognized, externally funded research program to advance understanding of coastal processes and coastal resilience, teach graduate and undergraduate classes, and support public engagement.

Qualifications

Required :

(1) Ph.D. in oceanography or related science or engineering field by time of appointment (September 1, 2023).

(2) Demonstrated record of scholarly scientific achievement as shown by publications, presentations at scientific meetings, external funding, honors, and awards.
(3) Demonstrated potential for the development of an independently funded research program investigating coastal processes and resilience as shown by the research statement, collaboration on research proposal development, or previously funded grants and/or awards.
(4) Demonstrated research and teaching potential that complements existing programs and foci at GSO and in affiliated departments.
(5) Demonstrated strong written communication skills.
(6) Demonstrated strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
(7) Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
(8) Demonstrated ability to contribute to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Preferred:

Preference may be given to applicants that meet one or more of the following criteria, but in no particular order:

(1) Biological oceanographers with a focus on middle and upper trophic level biology in water column and/or benthic coastal zones.
(2) Physical oceanographers with a focus on processes in nearshore, surf zone, estuarine or continental shelf regions, possibly ranging from circulation to sub-mesoscale and mixing.
(3) Chemical oceanographers with a focus on natural or anthropogenic biogeochemistry focused on coastal regions, including coastal resilience, organic geochemistry, and trace elements to fundamental disciplinary topics.
(4) Geological oceanographers with a focus on coastal hazards, history and rates of coastal change, and coastal processes (including sea level change, sediment transport, erosion and deposition, human coastal modification, seafloor morphological change, continental margin tectonics, and geodesy).
(5) Demonstrated record of marine-related public engagement activities as shown by presentations, interactions and curriculum development materials.
(6) Users of remote sensing/optics, machine learning, process modeling and high performance computing, bioinformatics, instrument development, or use of new and innovative autonomous platforms.
(7) Demonstrated success or capacity for garnering research funding.
(8) Demonstrated experience or capacity for innovative teaching approaches.