Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Science
Position Overview
The University of Kansas seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Atmospheric Science in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science to begin 8/18/2025. This position is a full-time, academic year appointment.
We seek applicants with expertise in weather and climate processes that will be able to contribute to teaching our introductory meteorology courses, synoptic meteorology, and weather forecasting. The faculty member will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, publish peer-reviewed literature, develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, serve on graduate student committees, direct theses and dissertations, and also engage in department, college, university, and national service. A Ph.D. is expected by the start date of appointment and the successful candidate for the position must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start of the position.
About the University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is located in the city of Lawrence, a thriving community 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area and 30 minutes from the state capital, Topeka. Lawrence, a vibrant college town of 95,000, boasts a lively downtown with many music venues, award-winning restaurants, and a nationally celebrated independent bookstore among its many independently owned small businesses. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral and research university and is one of only 38 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.
The College emphasizes interdisciplinary, experiential learning and global awareness, houses a vibrant university wide Honors Program that highlights undergraduate research and service activities, and has created strong affiliations with outstanding cross-disciplinary research centers. Faculty and academic staff have emphasized the importance of continuing and expanding on relationships with centers and entities including the Biodiversity Institute, Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas Geological Survey, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Life Span Institute, the Institute for Policy and Social Research, the Spencer Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. These relationships have brought a broad range of disciplines together to pursue and conduct sponsored research and education at the international, national, state, regional and local levels, and have created employment structures in which faculty and academic staff share appointments to emphasize collaboration. College faculty and research staff are welcomed as members in all KU’s designated research centers and institutes. The College is home to internationally recognized scholars and scientists who brought in $44M in research funding in FY 2021, nearly 30% of the total funded research at KU Lawrence.
Culture & Community Statement:
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
We seek applicants with expertise in weather and climate processes that will be able to contribute to teaching our introductory meteorology courses, synoptic meteorology, and weather forecasting. The faculty member will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, publish peer-reviewed literature, develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, serve on graduate student committees, direct theses and dissertations, and also engage in department, college, university, and national service. A Ph.D. is expected by the start date of appointment and the successful candidate for the position must be eligible to work in the U.S. prior to the start of the position.
About the University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is located in the city of Lawrence, a thriving community 40 minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area and 30 minutes from the state capital, Topeka. Lawrence, a vibrant college town of 95,000, boasts a lively downtown with many music venues, award-winning restaurants, and a nationally celebrated independent bookstore among its many independently owned small businesses. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the campus and plays a central role within the University. Founded in 1865, KU is a designated Carnegie comprehensive doctoral and research university and is one of only 38 public members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The University enrolls more than 28,000 students and offers students and faculty opportunities to collaborate in its graduate and professional programs, which include education, public health, medicine, law, and a number of allied social science and humanities disciplines.
The College emphasizes interdisciplinary, experiential learning and global awareness, houses a vibrant university wide Honors Program that highlights undergraduate research and service activities, and has created strong affiliations with outstanding cross-disciplinary research centers. Faculty and academic staff have emphasized the importance of continuing and expanding on relationships with centers and entities including the Biodiversity Institute, Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas Geological Survey, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Life Span Institute, the Institute for Policy and Social Research, the Spencer Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. These relationships have brought a broad range of disciplines together to pursue and conduct sponsored research and education at the international, national, state, regional and local levels, and have created employment structures in which faculty and academic staff share appointments to emphasize collaboration. College faculty and research staff are welcomed as members in all KU’s designated research centers and institutes. The College is home to internationally recognized scholars and scientists who brought in $44M in research funding in FY 2021, nearly 30% of the total funded research at KU Lawrence.
Culture & Community Statement:
KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Job Description
40% RESEARCH: Tenure-track faculty are expected to develop and maintain an active research program which gains national recognition and is advanced substantially beyond the level of the Ph.D. dissertation. The research program and resulting publications should provide solid evidence that the faculty member is a dedicated scholar whose research will continue to develop in depth and importance throughout their career. Tenure-track faculty members are expected to publish in peer reviewed journals and to present findings at professional conferences.
40% TEACHING: The normal teaching load in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science is three courses per year. Duties include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, developing curriculum, and adhere to department, College, and University policies. All faculty are expected to be active in the academic advising of undergraduate students and serving as a dissertation/thesis director and mentor for graduate students.
20% SERVICE: Tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending department meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, attending national meetings or conferences, and refereeing or reviewing manuscripts for research journals and grant proposals. The faculty member should establish a record that demonstrates professional responsibility and develops capacity for the faculty member to assume future departmental, college, university and professional roles.
40% TEACHING: The normal teaching load in the Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science is three courses per year. Duties include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, developing curriculum, and adhere to department, College, and University policies. All faculty are expected to be active in the academic advising of undergraduate students and serving as a dissertation/thesis director and mentor for graduate students.
20% SERVICE: Tenure-track faculty are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending department meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, attending national meetings or conferences, and refereeing or reviewing manuscripts for research journals and grant proposals. The faculty member should establish a record that demonstrates professional responsibility and develops capacity for the faculty member to assume future departmental, college, university and professional roles.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through: (a) descriptions of research agenda and teaching philosophy in letter of application, (b) record of accomplishments and productivity included in curriculum vitae, and (c) information provided from professional references.
- PhD in Atmospheric Science or related field by time of appointment
- A proven record or demonstration of high potential in research and publications as evidenced by application materials and/or research statement
- A proven record or demonstration of high potential in securing external funding
- A proven record or demonstration of high potential in Undergraduate and Graduate teaching and mentoring as evidenced by application materials and/or teaching statement
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application packet will include the following materials: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research statement, (4) teaching philosophy statement, and (5) the names and contact information for three professional references.
Application review will begin October 21, 2024 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is obtained. Only complete applications will be considered.
#LI-HR1
Application review will begin October 21, 2024 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants is obtained. Only complete applications will be considered.
#LI-HR1
Contact Information to Applicants
For additional information, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. David Rahn at darahn@ku.edu.
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday October 21, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 18, 2025