Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of North Carolina Asheville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level to begin in Fall 2023. Asheville is a culturally vibrant city located in picturesque Western North Carolina and is the home of the NOAA/National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly the National Climatic Data Center). The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in the atmospheric sciences with concentrations in weather forecasting, climatology, and broadcast meteorology. The curriculum satisfies the requirements for federal employment as a meteorologist, as well as the course requirements recommended by the American Meteorological Society. The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in the atmospheric sciences or a closely-related field prior to July 1, 2023 and should demonstrate an unwavering commitment to undergraduate teaching, possess excellent communication skills, exhibit superb computational proficiencies, and show the potential to develop a strong record of published research. The department will consider candidates with expertise in all specialties within the atmospheric sciences, but those with expertise in physical and/or applied climatology, radar meteorology, satellite meteorology, tropical meteorology, geographic information systems, or remote sensing will receive special consideration. The position will entail teaching a variety of courses that may include Tropical Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Radar and Satellite Meteorology, Physical Climatology, Applied Climatology, Introduction to Meteorology, and other courses throughout the atmospheric sciences curriculum. The candidate will seek external funding to conduct research in their specific area of interest, engage undergraduate research students in research projects, act as an academic advisor to undergraduate students, work closely with faculty and students, and contribute to university initiatives. An ideal candidate will have crossed interdisciplinary boundaries between the atmospheric sciences and the social sciences and will be an excellent fit at a liberal arts university.
In addition to having a passion for undergraduate teaching, research, and mentorship, the UNC Asheville faculty is committed to disciplinary teaching through an inter- and multi-disciplinary lens and providing a premier liberal arts education. Faculty members also teach across the University's Liberal Arts Core (LAC) program, our required interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum in courses that include, but are not limited to: introductory (first-year) colloquia; diversity intensive courses that satisfy the Scientific Perspectives, Social Science courses and Arts and Ideas requirements; courses within the Humanities Program; and LAC Senior Capstone courses.


UNC Asheville has been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 60% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates. UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. Faculty members across campus are encouraged to lead the institution's efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the areas of pedagogy, programming, and service activity. Therefore, candidates interested and experienced in teaching interdisciplinary courses and developing outreach activity for diverse student populations are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, statement of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. The diversity statement should describe: (a) the applicant's experience in advancing diversity in teaching, scholarship and/or service; (b) examples of demonstrated leadership potential in the area of equity and inclusion; and (c) the applicant's understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion to the mission of a liberal arts university. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference to be sent separately that address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Inquires may be directed to Dr. Christopher M. Godfrey, Professor and Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, via email to cgodfrey@unca.edu.
UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants, or employees. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, or ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.