Assistant Professor in Climate Science

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT of Geography, Geology, & the Environment

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Tenure Track, nine-month appointment beginning August 16, 2025

To demonstrate its commitment to our core values, ISU has committed $4.5 million over a five-year period (2022-2027) to develop an incentive program with the goal of attracting candidates who advance our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment characterized by cultural understanding and engagement, ethical behavior, and a commitment to social justice.

The Department of Geography, Geology, & the Environment (GEO) invites applications for one assistant professor, tenure-track position beginning August 16, 2025. We are seeking qualified candidates in the field of Climate Science. This search takes a broad perspective on climate science research domains, encompassing not only the physical and chemical facets of climate science, but also the interaction of climate on other environmental and societal systems. Successful candidates will demonstrate an active research agenda and maintain a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring students.

The Department and the College of Arts and Sciences are committed to increasing faculty who promote equity, diversity and inclusion in their teaching, research, and service. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching, research, and service. ISU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications: To be considered, applicants must:

1) hold a terminal degree in Climate Science (from fields including, atmospheric science, geography, geology, environmental science, or other related fields); however, exceptional A.B.D. candidates will also be considered with an expected completion of their doctoral degree before May 15, 2025.

2) have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in their teaching, research, and service through: a) the ability to work with, and be sensitive to, the educational needs of students from a diverse population including prior experience teaching and/or mentoring students from diverse cultural backgrounds; b) intellectual contributions in the areas of diversity, inclusion and education of culturally diverse and underserved populations; and/or c) demonstrated ability to work collegially with a campus community from diverse cultural backgrounds.

3) be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Responsibilities include scholarly research/publishing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, and service.

The Department of Geography, Geology, & the Environment (GEO) seeks a candidate who will serve an integral role in growing the Department’s intellectual capacity and scholarly efforts related to climate science. A successful candidate will have expertise in climatology, climate systems, and climate analysis.  Methodological approaches may include statistical, geospatial, artificial intelligence and/or machine learning research and data analysis approaches. A successful candidate will illustrate a background or continuing interest in research collaboration and pursuit of grant opportunities.

In their capacity as an educator, the candidate will be expected to inspire and guide future professionals, integrating contemporary issues and research into comprehensive educational experiences.  An ability to teach geospatial analysis, coding/scripting, and other environmental courses, including an interdisciplinary course focused on global climate change, is desired. A role of this position, residing at the intersection among Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science, is attracting new students into the existing undergraduate major programs in those disciplines, and potentially mentoring students in the Hydrogeology MS program. Primary teaching responsibilities will include a combination of existing and new courses in the candidate’s area of expertise at the introductory and upper levels. Opportunities to teach at the graduate level also exist.

For more information about our program visit: https://geo.illinoisstate.edu/

Salary, Rank and Tenure: The position is a nine-month, tenure track appointment with the possibility of summer teaching. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in GEO. A comprehensive benefits package is included. The potential for a significant startup package exists.

Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Application Procedure:  Review of applications will begin October 1^st, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit an initial online faculty application referring to posting number 519282. To do this, visit (www.IllinoisState.edu/jobs/) where applicants must submit a complete application packet by uploading the requisite documents, which include: 1) letter of application; 2) a 1.5 page statement on how your teaching, research and service demonstrate a commitment to EDI based on ISU's definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion; particular attention should be given to teaching practices that promote an inclusive, equitable, and accessible learning environment; 3) teaching philosophy (up to 1.5 pages); 4) research agenda (up to 1.5 pages); 5) curriculum vitae; and 6) the names and contact details of 3 references. Applications will be considered incomplete until all required items are uploaded and will not be reviewed until complete. Given ISU’s commitment to EDI, candidate screening will begin with the evaluation of EDI statements to concentrate the applicant pool on those that align closely to our institutional values. If any applicant has questions about the position, please contact Dr. RJ Rowley, Search Committee Chair (geoclimatesearch@ilstu.edu 309-438-7649).

 Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer