The Department of Geography at Virginia Tech is seeking applicants for the position of Collegiate Assistant Professor in the area of meteorology. This is a full-time, 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2025. We seek candidates with a passion for undergraduate instruction in meteorology who are able to offer courses in some combination of weather analysis and forecasting, mesoscale meteorology, atmospheric remote sensing, and other courses within the candidate’s area of expertise. The expected teaching load is three courses per semester, or six courses per academic year. An extensive research program is not an expectation of collegiate faculty, but research that engages pedagogy and/or that involves undergraduate or graduate students is encouraged. Serving as faculty advisor to graduate students in our M.S. in Geography program and the College of Natural Resources and Environment Ph.D. program in Geospatial and Environmental Analysis is possible. Expectations for service contributions are focused on opportunities internal to the department, but professional service, consulting, and outreach efforts are encouraged. The successful applicant will be a core member of the faculty responsible for teaching in our B.S. in meteorology degree program, which enrolls approximately 150 majors and sits adjacent to our B.A. in geography degree within the department.
At Virginia Tech, collegiate faculty have a primary commitment to the instructional mission of the department, including undergraduate teaching, curricular and program development, and the design and integration of innovative and inclusive pedagogy. Collegiate faculty are encouraged to conduct research on the scholarship of teaching and learning and/or on disciplinary topics and present their findings in professional venues, but there are no expectations for an extensive research program as is typical of traditional research and teaching faculty appointments. The collegiate faculty rank is a non-tenure-track position that offers a clear promotion path through assistant, associate, and professor levels. Appointments are for 3 years at the collegiate assistant professor rank, 5 years at the associate rank, and 7 years at the collegiate full professor.
Required Qualifications:
1. Ph.D. in Geography, Atmospheric Science, Meteorology or a closely related discipline from an accredited university by the time of appointment (August 2025)
2. Demonstrated ability and interest in developing and teaching courses in weather analysis and forecasting, and in the candidate’s specific area of expertise.
3. Strong focus on students and knowledge of practices and procedures that impact student success.
4. Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills.
5. Demonstrated commitment to the principles outlined in Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community
(https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/about/vtpoc.html)
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Demonstrated teaching effectiveness at the university level.
2. Demonstrated record of teaching or mentoring experience in inclusive pedagogy practices that
address the needs of underrepresented and/or underserved communities.
The initial review of applications will begin October 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.
Inquiries can be made to Dr. Stephanie Zick, Search Committee Chair, Department of Geography, 238 Wallace Hall, 295 West Campus Drive, MC0115, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Email: sezick@vt.edu. Phone: (540) 231-3434.