Assistant/Associate Professor

The University of Maryland's Department of Geographical Sciences seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor specializing in coastal processes and ecosystems. This full-time, tenure-track role involves developing a research program, teaching, mentoring students, and engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and expertise in coastal systems. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, and is expected to start in July 2025.
About the position

The Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a highly motivated and talented physical geographer specializing in coastal processes and ecosystems. This is a full-time, tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, depending on qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will have their tenure home in Geographical Sciences and is expected to start in July 2025. The salary and benefits for this position are highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Coastal zones around the world are critical areas for both the environment and society, facing unprecedented pressures from climate change and economic development. We are looking for candidates with a strong background in coastal systems, whose research focuses on understanding, forecasting, and mitigating the impacts of changes to coastal ecosystems, particularly emphasizing land processes. Areas of expertise sought include, but are not limited to, sea level rise and its impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems, urbanization and its effects on coastal environments, impacts of increased storm intensity and frequency, wetland degradation and restoration, forest loss and management in coastal areas, and coastal ecosystem ecology. We welcome candidates with a global focus, as well as those emphasizing regional studies, such as in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland, to develop broader perspectives that advance our understanding of coastal zone processes within the context of global change. Consequently, expertise in the use of remote sensing and modeling is desirable for this role.

Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain a robust, externally funded research program
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• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in physical geography, coastal processes, modeling, and related subjects
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• Lead the undergraduate Coastal Specialization with Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP) major
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• Support, mentor, and supervise graduate students
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• Engage in interdisciplinary research and collaboration across the department (human dimensions, remote sensing, GIS) and campus that address significant real-world issues.

Requirements
• Ph.D. in Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field
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• Demonstrated expertise in coastal processes and ecosystems
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• For appointment at the Associate Professor level, a strong record of scholarly publication and demonstrated evidence of research funding.

Nice-to-haves
• Expertise with the use of remote sensing and modeling

Benefits
• Highly competitive salary
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• Comprehensive benefits package