Assistant Professor of Disaster Science

Category : Faculty Subscribe : Department : Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Locations : Bowling Green, KY Posted : Oct 9, 2024 Closes : Open Until Filled Type : Full-time Ref.

No. : 994864 Position ID : 181927 Share

About Western Kentucky University :

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities.

Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority) and just over 2,500 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments.

At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents.

Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success.

We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life.

Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided.

Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu / about.

Job Description :

The Department of Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) at Western Kentucky University (WKU) is seeking highly qualified applicants for a nine-month tenure-eligible appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor of Disaster Science with an anticipated start date of August 2025.

Capitalizing on the recent successes and growth in the Meteorology and Emergency Management Disaster Science programs, WKU is committing to develop a new pillar of academic excellence in Disaster Science and Management.

Coinciding with the recent launch of the WKU Consortium of Disaster Science and Management, we seek an interdisciplinary physical scientist with a strong computational background to contribute toward applications of research and teaching in Disaster Science within current and forthcoming degree programs.

The successful candidate will specialize in Disaster Sciences and can demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following (in no particular order) :

• The understanding of societal vulnerabilities to atmospheric hazards,
• Disaster management and incident preparedness,
• Geospatial assessment of socioeconomic impacts,
• The utilization of contemporary methodological approaches such as AI / ML.

EEAS currently offers undergraduate programs in Meteorology (the largest in the region; GS-1340), Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies, and Geological Sciences, and graduate programs in Geoscience and Homeland Security Science, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates in Emergency Management Disaster Science and an undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

EEAS is actively developing new degree programs in Disaster Science and Management at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be instrumental in helping to shape these new degree programs and contribute to our sustained trajectory of success.

The foundation for EEAS degree programs is centered on the development of nationally recognized innovative applied learning methods, acquisition of nationally competitive external funding for robust research and development, and a strong reputation for excellence and student success.

In addition to modern state-of-the-art research and operations facilities, the department has cultivated a number of contemporary initiatives and services that support multi-disciplinary collaborations across the university and with its community and industry partners.

This includes the Disaster Science Operations Center (DSOC) and the Kentucky Climate Center (KCC), both of which are key operational, research, and data management hubs for the university.

Requirements :

• Earned Ph.D. in Disaster Science, Meteorology, Climatology, Geography, or a closely related field at time of appointment.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and research at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Will be expected to develop a strong externally funded research program to support student success.
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
6 days ago