Careers at Virginia Tech

The Department of Geography at Virginia Tech is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Geographic Information Science at the Assistant Professor level. The department values diversity and continually strives to maintain and promote an inclusive learning and research environment that embraces all students, faculty, and staff. We encourage applications from persons identifying with populations currently underrepresented in geography, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, people of color, and underrepresented genders.

We seek a geographically-trained candidate specializing in the theory and application of Geographic Information Science (GIS) to complement existing departmental strengths in geospatial science. We are considering applications in all areas of GIS. However, preference will be given to candidates who can strengthen our teaching and research portfolio within one or more of the following areas: spatio-temporal modeling and/or simulation, geospatial data science, GeoAI, Cyber GIS, machine learning, and geographic quantitative methods. Applications from individuals engaged in interdisciplinary and applied research that would contribute to existing department strengths in atmospheric science, environmental geography, biogeography, hazards, human-environment interactions, land change science, water, and/or coastal geography are strongly encouraged.

This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching, research, and service. The successful individual will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in GIS and supervise graduate students in our M.S. program and our college’s interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Geospatial and Environmental Analysis. Participation in departmental, college, and university affairs and collaboration with faculty both within and across the university is strongly encouraged and expected. Information concerning the department, college, and university can be found at geography.vt.edu, cnre.vt.edu, and vt.edu. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to engage in transdisciplinary research, curriculum and outreach initiatives with other university faculty working on Destination Area related projects

- Ph.D. in Geography, Geospatial Science, or in a closely related discipline from an accredited university by the time of appointment (August 2024).
- Demonstrated ability and interest in developing and teaching courses in GIS and the candidate’s specific area of expertise.
- Demonstrated ability and desire to advance the discipline through impactful, peer-reviewed publications.
- Demonstrated potential to attract research funding adequate to support an active research program, including graduate students.
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practices of nurturing a diverse and inclusive community

- Ability and willingness to teach courses related to geospatial programming, geovisualization, and/or terrain analysis.
- Demonstrated teaching effectiveness at the university level.
- Research expertise that complements existing program strengths.
- Record of attracting research funding to support an active research program.
- Demonstrated record of research and/or teaching addressing needs of underrepresented communities.
- Experience developing or working in interdisciplinary research teams.

Regular

11/7/2023

Interested persons will submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a two-page research statement, (4) a two-page teaching statement, (5) a one-page statement describing candidates’ commitments to promoting diversity and working in a multicultural environment, (6) teaching evaluations or other evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available), and (7) contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin November 7, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries can be made to Dr. Yang Shao, Search Committee Chair, Department of Geography, 217 Wallace Hall, Blacksburg, VA 20061. Email:yshao@vt.edu. Phone: (540) 231-1867.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.