Assistant Professor - Atmospheric & Climate Sciences

Western Connecticut State University

Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Biology

Assistant Professor – Atmospheric & Climate Sciences

Tenure Track - Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Western Connecticut State University’s Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for a tenure track Assistant Professor position, in the field of Atmospheric & Climate Sciences in the Department of Biology.

WCSU is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community.

The Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences www.wcsu.edu/sas/ is home to 10 departments, 21 undergraduate majors and five (5) graduate majors, and offers a variety of ways for students to further their education. The Department of Biology is an interdisciplinary community consisting of 13 full-time faculty and approximately 200 undergraduate and graduate students. A new program in Atmospheric and Climate Science is expected to begin in the Fall 2025 semester, and a new master's program in meteorology is forthcoming. The department also offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Integrative Biological Diversity. Additional information may be found at www.wcsu.edu/biology/.

Position Summary: We seek applicants who are interested in teaching courses such as climate science and climate modeling, atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics, and mesoscale meteorology, as well as mentor capstone and thesis research projects. Preference will be given to candidates who can integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching and research. To facilitate a new and growing program, the applicant will be expected to participate in a first-year freshman experience course. In addition, the successful faculty member will be expected to publish peer-reviewed literature, serve on graduate student committees, engage in professional activities, and encouraged to develop an externally funded research program.

WCSU has available resources for teaching and research including course-load reductions and internal funding opportunities to support students and faculty research, conference attendance, and professional development. The Biology department is housed in the Science Building with access to equipment and technology, and access to high performance computing clusters. Resources available to faculty also include dedicated research space. The department houses a staffed operational forecasting Weather Center serving a variety of clients in the region, a video production studio, astronomical observatories, and planetarium. A field station is located on Outer Island (https://outerisland.org/) as well as a forested nature preserve to support field work.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in atmospheric or climate science or a closely related field or an equivalent terminal degree as well as post-doctoral experience. Candidates must be qualified to teach undergraduate courses in atmospheric and/or climate science. Preference will be given to candidates committed to advancing knowledge of atmospheric and climate systems, who can include students in their research and have taught atmospheric and/or climate science courses. The successful candidate should have a science teaching pedagogy that encourages active learning and critical thinking. A candidate who does not meet the above standards may also be appointed provided the candidate has credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above experience.

WCSU is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from different backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for first-generation and under-represented groups. The successful candidate is expected to value and encourage all forms of diversity, including neurodiversity.

Salary & Benefits: The hiring salary range is $73,912 – $86,231 and is commensurate upon candidates' experience. WCSU offers a comprehensive benefits package. Faculty also have access to generous travel and/or research funds. Additional information on benefits can be found at www.wcsu.edu/hr/benefits/.

Application Process: Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, which outlines interest in, and qualifications for, the position; areas of teaching expertise and experience, areas of service and/or leadership, research interests, professional goals, a statement of teaching philosophy; a current curriculum vita; and the names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references who can comment on the applicant's teaching, scholarship, and/or service/leadership to facultyvitae@wcsu.edu. In the Email Subject Line Reference Search #300-060. All materials should be submitted as PDF files. Applications must be received by Friday, February 7, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

State and Federal requirements expect that organizations with 100 or more employees invite applicants to self-identify gender and race. We kindly request all applicants to complete the Affirmative Action Data Questionnaire via the following link. http://wcsu.edu/diversity/affirmative-action-data-questionnaire/. Any questions may be directed to Ms. Keisha Stokes in the WCSU Office of Diversity and Equity at stokesk@wcsu.edu. Completion of this data will not affect your opportunity.

Western is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer