Department: Geography
Rank: Assistant Professor
Annual Basis: 9 Month

Application Deadline

November 10, 2024; position open until filled.

Required Application Materials

Please submit the following:
• a cover letter,
• curriculum vitae,
• a research statement,
• a teaching statement,
• a DEI statement*,
• contact details (name, affiliation, mailing address, email) of three references.

*In your DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) statement, please describe your past or planned efforts for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging relative to teaching, research, mentorship, and/or service related to this position.

Position Announcement

The Department of Geography seeks a scholar in the area of Spatial Data Science (SDS) that integrates with work in physical geography, human geography, and/or human-environment interactions for an open rank tenure-track faculty position beginning Fall 2025. The individual will be expected to develop a cutting-edge, internationally-visible research agenda in SDS and Geography that yields external funding and publications, attracts graduate students, and builds collaborations. This position is based in the Geography Department but is part of exciting growth in data science at the University of Oregon with the recent launch of the School of Computer and Data Sciences. Faculty and students in the Geography Department also collaborate with the world-class InfoGraphics Lab. The Department has undergraduate majors in both SDS and Geography. Applicants will be expected to teach courses in Spatial Data Science and Geography, from the first year to graduate level, and supervise master’s and doctoral students in the applicant’s research areas. We are particularly interested in individuals advancing methods in SDS. Applicants must have experience in (or potential for) obtaining research funding from competitive grant programs such as NSF or NASA. Additional qualifications include experience in (or potential for): teaching GIScience courses at the post-secondary level, collaborating with others in the department (socialsciences.uoregon.edu/geography), and mentoring graduate students. Rank will be commensurate with experience. The university encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. To ensure consideration, applications must be received by November 10, 2024. Please direct questions to Dr. Mark Fonstad at fonstad@uoregon.edu.

Department or Program Summary

The Department of Geography is a top-ranked, PhD-granting unit with strengths in biophysical geography, human geography, environmental studies, and spatial data science. In addition to our graduate and undergraduate Geography programs, the department offers a B.S. degree in Spatial Data Science.

Minimum Requirements

(1) A Ph.D. at the time of appointment
(2) Existing (or potential for) successful publication record in the area of advancing methods in Spatial Data Science (SDS)
(3) Existing (or potential for) successful publication record within a domain of Geography such as physical geography, human geography, and/or human-environment interactions
(4) Experience in (or potential for) obtaining research funding from competitive grant programs
(5) Experience in (or potential for) teaching Spatial Data Science courses at the undergraduate and
graduate level
(6) Experience in (or potential for) teaching Geography courses at the undergraduate and graduate level
(7) Experience in (or potential for) advising graduate students
(8) Experience in (or potential for) maintaining a strong research program

Preferred Qualifications

(1) Demonstrates leadership capabilities in an academic setting
(2) Demonstrates interest and ability to be a participating member of collaborative research efforts
(3) Addresses in their research and teaching spatial data science methods
(4) Priority will be given to an individual with an established research program in SDS commensurate to their career stage as manifested by a coherent publication list and demonstrated ability to attract external support (such as from the NSF), or in the case of an applicant with a recent Ph.D., the potential to develop such a program
(5) Increases the ability of our program to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body
(6) Evidence of understanding and use of a geographical perspective, and potential to engage with geography as a discipline
(7) Demonstrated or likely aptitude for service commensurate with rank on a major departmental administrative committee
(8) Potential to contribute to undergraduate advising and professional development of students in spatial data science and geography

About the University

The University of Oregon is one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities and holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Located in Eugene, the UO enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students, representing all 50 states and nearly 100 countries.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

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