Associate or Full Professor, Geography and Environmental Sustainability and Director, Center for Sp

OKLAHOMA, NORMAN 73019. The Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability (DGES) at the University of Oklahoma (http://geography.ou.edu) invites candidates for a tenured position focused on Geographical Information Science and Geospatial Technologies whose experiences and interests have prepared them to be an integral contributor to the advancement of our inclusive and diverse communities engaged in scientific discovery, developing talent, and service to society.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person’s unique contributions, background, and perspectives. The University recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty, and staff, and for the communities with which we engage.

The Mission of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences is to provide a world-class academic experience that promotes convergent, innovative, and inclusive education and research at the intersections of weather, climate, and sustainability. To fulfill our mission, we are dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in the private sector, academia, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

The ideal candidate for this position will be an expert in innovative GIS technologies, will advance GIS, remote sensing and geospatial data science, and will conduct research in an applied field within Geography or Sustainability. The applied topical research area is open but there is preference for areas that complement the emphasis within DGES on Urban Sustainability and Environmental Monitoring. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in geospatial data science, as well as classes in the candidate’s areas of specialization. The successful candidate will also serve as director of the Center for Spatial Analysis (https://ou.edu/csa), which is a multidisciplinary center specializing in applied geospatial technology research and development and support and services for Government agencies, private industry, and OU. CSA has been in existence for over 40 years and currently consists of over a dozen GIS professionals and students, has a million-dollar annual budget, and is housed in spacious facilities on the OU research campus.

Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability: The ideal candidate will have the potential to contribute to sustainability and resilience collaborations in our intellectually diverse department. Applicants must possess a PhD in Geography or a related discipline at time of appointment. The successful applicants will be expected to develop a vigorous, independent research program, to teach in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, and to contribute to mentorship and advisement for students in our growing graduate program. The Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability is currently composed of 20 tenure-line faculty with diverse research agendas.

The University of Oklahoma is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic and healthcare needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges. In Fall 2021, approximately 25% of OU’s freshmen were first-generation students, 38% of all students belonged to a historically underrepresented, underserved, and/or marginalized race/ethnicity and in Fall 2020 5% were international.

We acknowledge that the University of Oklahoma is on the traditional lands of the Caddo Nation and the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes. This land was also once part of the Muscogee Creek and Seminole nations. It also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Osage nations. Today, 39 federally recognized Tribal nations dwell in what is now the State of Oklahoma as a result of settler colonial policies designed to encapsulate and assimilate Indigenous peoples.

Norman is a vibrant university town of around 113,000 inhabitants with a growing entertainment and art scene. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender on “best place to live” rankings. Visit http://www.ou.edu/flipbook and http://soonerway.ou.edu for more information. Within an easy commute, Oklahoma City features a dynamic economy and outstanding cultural venues adding to the region’s growing appeal.

Application Materials Requested: To apply, submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and separate brief (approximately two to three pages each) statements regarding 1) research, 2) teaching, 3) service, and 4) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The statement of research should include (1) your vision for the future of GIS and geospatial data science, (2) your vision for CSA, and (3) how your efforts will contribute to CSA, especially plans for advancing partnerships between CSA and other organizations within and outside of OU. The teaching statement should summarize past instructional and mentorship experiences, your pedagogical philosophy, and plans/goals for teaching at OU (including existing and proposed courses) and advising a diverse cohort of undergraduate and graduate students. The DEI statement should summarize your understanding, experience, and plans for contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through research, teaching, and/or service. The service statement should describe your vision for internal service to the academic unit, the College and the University, and for external service to our scientific community and other stakeholders. Please submit all these materials in one file to apply.interfolio.com/98855. You may contact the search committee chair, Dr. Scott Greene  if you have any questions. Screening of applications will begin January 18, 2022, and will continue until the positions are filled. 

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity institution http://www.ou.edu/eoo/. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

 The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable and inclusive university community by recognizing each person's unique contributions, background, and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma strives to cultivate a sense of belonging and emotional support for all, recognizing that fostering an inclusive environment for all is vital in the pursuit of academic and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission.

The University of Oklahoma complies with the Federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all employees. Upon being hired, you must provide proof of full vaccination or request an accommodation for exemption from the Federal requirement. For detailed information, visit https://hr.ou.edu/News/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.