Professor - Biology jobs in Vermont

The Department of Natural Sciences at Vermont State University invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin in August 2024. This position will be based at the Lyndon campus.

About Vermont State University

Vermont State University (VTSU) combines and builds upon the history of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College, as they merged and became a single accredited institution on July 1, 2023. At VTSU, students always come first. Our experience is designed to empower students to thrive in their personal and professional lives, becoming compassionate facilitators of positive change to shape Vermont and beyond. We stand as Vermont’s regional public university with interconnected campuses and sites dispersed throughout the state, a community dedicated to providing accessible and affordable higher learning. Our innovative, relevant programs focus on student success and career readiness and meet students where they are on their educational journey. In the sciences, we continue to be committed to excellence in faculty scholarship, student-faculty collaboration, and teaching in a student-centered environment.

The Natural Sciences Department is comprised of a highly collaborative and supportive group of faculty that offer programs in atmospheric sciences, biology, environmental science, and wildlife and forest conservation. The incumbent’s home campus (Lyndon) has excellent lab resources and field equipment, and is located in Vermont’s beautiful Northeast Kingdom which is surrounded by outstanding opportunities for hiking, skiing, and many other outdoor activities.

The Lyndon Atmospheric Sciences Program has a long and proud history of maintaining a rigorous and modern curriculum that prepares students for success across a variety of career concentrations. The Atmospheric Sciences B.S. degree has concentrations in Climate Change, National Weather Service, Broadcasting, Graduate School, and Private Industry, and it satisfies the requirements for federal employment as a meteorologist, as well as the course requirements recommended by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Students and faculty have access to well-supported facilities including a large weather deck, local weather station network, and dedicated computer lab and research space. We also have a nationally recognized AMS Club which has won Student Chapter of the Year Awards each of the past three years (AMS Awards in 2020-21 and 2021-22; National Weather Association Award in 2022-23).

Job Description and Responsibilities

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in atmospheric/climate dynamics, climate change, climate modeling, and/or extreme weather events. The new faculty member will teach a variety of undergraduate courses, including introductory climate change, python-based computer applications in climate, atmospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric dynamics sequence, senior capstone, and other courses in the program. Candidates with plans to involve undergraduate students in research and publications are encouraged to apply. We also seek candidates with interest in developing internal and external collaborations.

In addition to teaching and research, faculty at VTSU are expected to participate in and contribute to university committees, scholarship and professional development, student advising, service to the college community, development of curriculum and educational facilities as needed, and other duties related to teaching effectiveness, scholarship, and service to the university community.

Minimum Requirements

The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or related areas and should have previous teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

Salary

Based on qualifications and experience as defined by VSC-VSCFF Bargaining Unit Agreement.

Application Process 

Applicants should include the following information as attachments: 1) A cover letter that summarizes their teaching and research interests and includes a reflection on the candidate’s potential to contribute to an inclusive environment; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a teaching statement that describes their pedagogy; 4) a research statement that includes a plan for integrating undergraduate students in their research; and 5) the names and contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received after the initial screening may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. VTSU strongly encourages applications from members of ethnic minority groups and other under-represented backgrounds. Please refer any questions to the chair of the search committee, Ari Preston (ari.preston@vermontstate.edu).

VTSU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, religion, ancestry, place of birth, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age or veteran status, or against a qualified individual with a disability, or any other person whose status is protected under local, state or federal laws. In compliance with ADA requirements, we will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant.

All full-time and some part-time positions are subject to a criminal background check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon successful completion of these checks.