Tenure track Assistant Professor of Meteorology

Tenure track Assistant Professor of Meteorology

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences at Western Kentucky University is seeking highly-qualified applicants for a 9-month tenure-track eligible Assistant Professor of Meteorology position beginning August 2022. The successful candidate is expected to contribute toward teaching and research in support of the B.S. degree in Meteorology. The desired candidate's area of specialization in Atmospheric Science is open. However, preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate expertise that complements existing faculty areas of teaching and research.

To capitalize on the growth and success of the WKU Meteorology Program, the department is also carrying out a parallel search for a tenure-track eligible Kentucky State Climatologist position at the associate or full-professor rank. Together, these new hires will provide students in the Meteorology Program with enhanced opportunities and unique pathways for post-graduate achievements.

The WKU Meteorology Program was founded in 2008 and is the largest meteorology program in the Mid-South, maintaining around 70 undergraduate students. The foundation for the WKU Meteorology Program is centered on innovative applied learning and research, with a strong reputation for excellence and robust student success. The WKU Meteorology Program maintains modern state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, outfitted with industry-standard hardware and software technologies. In addition to these facilities, the program has cultivated a number of contemporary initiatives and services that support multi-disciplinary collaborations across the university and its community and industry partners.

Under the direction of WKU's University Meteorologist, White Squirrel Weather is a student-driven professional initiative that provides official university weather and incident decision-support services. White Squirrel Weather also operates multiple hyperlocal/microclimate weather stations that are located at various facilities across WKU campuses, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and elsewhere. The Disaster Science Operations Center is a brand new multi-disciplinary applied research unit that allows students to produce multi-media weather content and real-time hazard monitoring. The College Heights Atmospheric Observatory for Students (CHAOS Lab) serves as a meteorological monitoring, prediction, and research lab for students. An award-winning Severe Weather Forecasting Field Course offers upper-division Meteorology majors an opportunity to perform real-time forecasting in a fast-paced severe storm environment that serves as a capstone to their academic program. An Atmospheric Computing Research lab allows students to develop computing skills in areas of big data processing and visualization for various meteorological and climatological research endeavors. The WKU Meteorology Program is also affiliated with the Kentucky Climate Center, home to the Kentucky State Climatologist. As part of the Kentucky Climate Center, the Kentucky Mesonet operates a research-grade statewide infrastructure for weather and climate monitoring, and serves as the official source of climatological observations for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Kentucky Climate Center maintains active affiliations with the National Centers for Environmental Information, the National Weather Service, the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, and other non-federal organizations, and is actively engaged with the Midwest Drought Early Warning System. Each lab and research center has direct access to the NOAAPort data broadcast system, as well as the High Performance Computing Center, both housed on-site at WKU.

About WKU

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,567 students (29% first generation, 17% underrepresented minority) and just over 2,600 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community to embrace diversity by building equitable and inclusive learning, working, and living environments. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our diverse and evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about.

How to Apply

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Deborah Wilkins, who can be contacted via email at deborah.wilkins@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5396. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU''s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

Application Instructions

The following items must be submitted through this electronic talent management system by January 15, 2022, although expressions of interest may be considered until the position is filled. You can apply at the link below.

http://wku.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=139936

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum Vita
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Pedagogical statement of teaching experience and approach  (no more than two pages)
• Statement of research expertise and trajectory (no more than two pages)

Names and contact information of three reference providers will be collected during the application process. Reference letters will be requested by the Search Committee through an online process at a later date. If you have questions, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Greg Goodrich at gregory.goodrich@wku.edu. 

You will receive email confirmation once you have successfully completed the application process.

Requirements

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology, Geography, or closely related discipline.