INTRODUCTION

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level in the area of Climate Change Adaptation Science. The ideal candidate will have expertise in interdisciplinary approaches (particularly integrating biophysical and social sciences) that develop sustainable and resilient outcomes for communities and ecosystems as well as experience in providing science-based decision tools to stakeholders to foster climate adaptation and resilience.

The successful applicant will develop an extramurally funded, innovative research program addressing critical or emerging climate change adaptation and resilience needs. We are seeking applicants with a demonstrated track record in collaborative projects that meld climate information with predicted outcomes through applied modeling and/or decision science frameworks to inform resilient and adaptive decision-making. The successful applicant will have opportunities to engage with the Connecticut State Climate Center, and work with colleagues to fulfill and broaden the Center's mission to provide relevant climate services to our stakeholders. There are also ample opportunities to collaborate across UConn through the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, Connecticut Sea Grant, the Center for Landuse Education and Research, the Eversource Energy Center, and the Institute of the Environment.

Additional responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses including a course in climate change adaption science, advising undergraduate and graduate students, and active contribution to the academic community through service at the Department, College and University levels. 

The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and extension programs in the years 2020-2025. An essential component of that Strategic Vision is a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, and extension and addressing structural racism by broadening participation and integrating culturally sustaining approaches in all College activities. Faculty hired in this position will be expected to make significant progress to this Strategic Vision through their area of expertise and contribute to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR's strategic initiatives: 

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply  
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally  
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces  
• Advancing adaptation and resilience in a changing climate
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices, and norms

The CAHNR Strategic Vision provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state's flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A doctoral degree in Environmental Science, Atmospheric Sciences, Natural Resources, Geography, Ecology, or a related discipline; equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable; demonstrated expertise in climate change adaptation science; participation in interdisciplinary research teams; excellent oral and written communication skills; experience in teaching at the university level; experience with independent research proposal development; and a record of peer-reviewed publication of original research.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

A demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary research teams as principal investigator; a history of funding from federal agencies; an innovative, collaborative, and/or interdisciplinary research approach; active participation in major professional societies and meetings; a record of effective mentoring and teaching; and a record of commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through academic, extension and/or research activities.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, research (65%) and teaching (35%) position at the Associate or Full Professor level, with service expectations. The successful candidate will work at the University of Connecticut's main campus located in Storrs. Anticipated start date is August 23, 2022. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate's compliance with the University's Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20345 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Sample journal articles or books/book chapters;
• Names and contact information for at least three references;

For the statements below please include how your professional accomplishments in research/teaching/extension outreach will contribute to the College's success in achieving its Strategic Vision.

• Research and scholarship statement up to two pages (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement up to two pages (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Experience and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion statement up to two pages (including broadening participation, integrating culturally sustaining approaches in instruction and research, promoting equity through scholarship and community engagement, and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.).

Only applications submitted through Academic Jobs Online will be accepted. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than January 28, 2022. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

For further information, please contact the search committee chair: Dr. Richard Anyah, richard.anyah@uconn.edu

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

See Job Description