Assistant Professor of Water and Environment Data Science

The University of Maryland seeks an Assistant Professor of Water and Environment Data Science for a full-time, tenure track position. Candidates should have expertise in natural sciences, engineering, and data science, particularly in addressing water crises. The role involves interdisciplinary research using AI, machine learning, and advanced technologies to analyze environmental data. The position is based in College Park, MD, and emphasizes community engagement and diverse research initiatives.
Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation's legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation's capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Department of Environmental Science and Technology (ENST) at University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) invites applications for a full-time, academic year (9-month), tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Water and Environment Data Science. We invite candidates from all relevant disciplines in the natural and physical sciences and engineering to apply. This position offers a dynamic opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate to significantly contribute to our department's established successful track record in water and environmental research, particularly in addressing national and global water crises. We seek a creative candidate who can enhance and diversify our existing strengths by bridging disciplines and expanding our research initiatives.

In the context of "Water and Environment Data Science", we are particularly interested in applications in landscape or watershed-scale systems containing interconnected ecosystems, integrated with and influenced by human activities, and analyzed and managed through data science and technological approaches. We are looking for candidates who merge environmental knowledge with advanced technology and data science skills, and have a strong interest in conducting interdisciplinary research to develop and/or apply technologies for efficient environmental data analysis and use-inspired problem-solving. A preferred area of interest is the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in environmental problem-solving. Other areas of interest include (but are not limited to) using advanced computational methods; leveraging sensor technologies, internet of things (IOTs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and remote sensing; and integrating hydrology, environmental, and water quality models with diverse data sources at various spatial and temporal scales. These research approaches should be applied within the broader context of addressing socioenvironmental concerns such as climate change, water security, ecosystem resilience, water-food energy nexus, and 'one health' systems. Experience or interest in engaging diverse communities in research and education is also welcome.

Position responsibilities:
This faculty position is a full-time, academic year (9-month), tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with teaching and research responsibilities.

Teaching: The successful candidate will teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels and will contribute to the cross-departmental teaching efforts. They would be expected to teach classes such as 'Environmental Data Analytics and Watershed Science' and 'Sensor Technology and Data Sciences'. Additionally, advising undergraduate and graduate students, and mentoring postdocs will be an essential part of their role.

Research: The successful candidate will establish a nationally recognized research program by securing external funding. The scope of research may extend over various domains, including urban, rural and agroecosystems. We are looking for a colleague who will promote interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to groundbreaking research within human-environmental systems.

Minimum Qualifications:
The candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in environmental science, hydrology, civil and environmental engineering, biological resources engineering, watershed science, or a related field. They should also have 1) demonstrated ability to publish in high-quality journals; 2) demonstrated or potential ability to obtain and compete for externally funded grants; and 3) proven or promising potential in impactful teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Preferred Qualifications:
Preference will be given to candidates with 1) relevant post-doctoral and/or professional research experience; 2) previous experience in working with advanced in-situ measurements, monitoring and/or remote sensing; 3) demonstrated experience or ability working with diverse data sources at various scales, advanced data analytics, and models; and 4) the ability to collaborate with other ENST faculty members and complement the cross-departmental research activities.

ENST Highlights:
The ENST Department strives to advance environmental science and to lead the development of novel technologies applicable for environmental and ecosystem sustainability. We are unique among UMD units because our faculty comprises of national and international leaders in the fields of ecological engineering, water resources engineering, soil science, wetland science, water sustainability, ecology, toxicology, and natural resource management. We define environmental technology as the development and application of tools and processes, grounded in science and engineering, to advance solutions to environmental challenges. We offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) in environmental science.

College Highlights:
Through academics, research, and extension, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a world-renowned institution on the forefront of innovation and education. Founded in 1856, AGNR is the Cornerstone college of the University of Maryland. The AGNR College significantly influences its field and received more than $70 million in sponsored research funding in 2022. It also maintains strong collaborations with both federal and state agencies dedicated to agriculture and natural resources management. The AGNR faculty and staff embrace the UMD's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve the quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education.

UMD Highlights:
University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship institution. As the only public research university inside the Washington, D.C., Beltway, UMD has forged strategic partnerships with national institutions, federal agencies, research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations to uniquely position the university's faculty, researchers, and students. UMD is driven by its diverse and inclusive community of more than 40,000 students, 10,000 faculty and staff, and 300 academic programs, welcoming students from every U.S. state and 116 countries. UMD is consistently named as a top 20 public research institution by U.S. News and World Report, and is ranked 5th across all institutions for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. UMD is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and the world.