JOB DESCRIPTION
The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities. We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives.
JOB TITLE:
Assistant Professor in Computational Social Science (coupled human-water resources)
JOB PURPOSE:
The School of Computing (SoC) at the University of Wyoming (UW) invites applications for a full-time (9-month) tenure-stream Assistant Professor faculty position in computational social science with an interest in coupled human-water systems, beginning August 20, 2024.
The position’s primary academic appointment and tenure home will be in the School of Computing, with a possible joint appointment in an appropriate partnering social science or interdisciplinary academic unit.
The position will have courtesy appointment affiliations with two new interdisciplinary centers established as part of UW’s current NSF EPSCoR RII Track 1 grant titled “Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transition” (WyACT) – the CoLaborative for Intersectoral Modeling of the Earth System (CLIMES) and the Center for Climate, Water, and People (CCWP), and potentially with the SoC’s Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center (WyGISC).
We seek a faculty hire who will bring new capacity to the university in computational social science and social science computing, helping catalyze deeper interdisciplinary collaboration, attract significant external research funding, and enrich our undergraduate and graduate students’ experience. The successful candidate will play an integral role in establishing the culture, teaching, research, and outreach activities of the School of Computing, and in enabling close engagement and collaboration between the School of Computing, partnering academic departments, and affiliated research centers and institutes.
We are particularly interested in applicants who conduct innovative research around the spatial and temporal dynamics of coupled human-water systems, combining qualitative and quantitative social science methods and techniques with computational data science, integrated systems modeling, and participatory stakeholder engagement. As such, we welcome applications from a variety of social science backgrounds including anthropology, applied economics, complex system science, environmental studies, geography, sociology, sustainability studies, urban and regional planning, and related fields.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will engage in impactful and applied research and scholarship that advances the intersecting fields of computational social science and coupled human-water systems. The Assistant Professor will:
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses incorporating computational social science – i.e., using computational approaches in studying social phenomena;
- Mentor undergraduate, MS and PhD research scholars;
- Contribute to the work of the CoLaborative for Intersectoral Modeling of the Earth System (CLIMES);
- Develop a productive, extramurally-funded program of research and scholarship in appropriate fields to advance social science computing and socio-hydrologic modeling; and
- Participate in the University’s Land Grant mission and contribute to the School of Computing’s impact across the university and the state.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability, experience, and record of scholarship appropriate to carry out the functions of the position, incorporating: expertise in applying computing to the understanding of social phenomena especially in the context of modeling coupled human-water systems; expertise in analyzing and integrating qualitative socio-behavioral data sources within complex systems dynamics models; experience teaching concepts of social science computing to undergraduate and graduate students in a range of contexts, including experiential and online; a demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary and community-engaged research; experience working with diverse populations; and outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY:
This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD degree in an appropriate field by date of appointment.
- Research productivity as demonstrated by number and quality of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or other relevant research impact (e.g., peer-reviewed datasets, scientific software, or other complementary assessments of impact and influence).
- Demonstrated expertise in socio-economic data analysis techniques and interpretation.
- Experience in applying social science computing in coupled human and natural systems.
- Knowledge and experience reflecting potential to contribute to issues related to Wyoming and the Western United States.
- Expressed interest in interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or transdisciplinary research.
- Commitment and contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and interest in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment based on integrity, trust, and respect.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience and/or demonstrated potential to develop an externally funded computing-focused research program in an area with potential for significant and sustained funding.
- Experience utilizing qualitative data sources to complement and contribute to quantitative models.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary modeling teams involving complex systems dynamics, integrated assessment models, etc.
- Experience in developing and applying information visualization and multi-criteria analyses frameworks for science communication and/or decision support.
- Interdisciplinary interests and/or experience that intersect and bridge the School of Computing and partnering academic units.
- Experience and/or interest in collaborating with external stakeholders in knowledge co-production.
- Potential for excellence in teaching, training, and/or mentoring students in social science computing or data science at the undergraduate and graduate level.
- Superior communication and relationship-building skills.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application:
- A detailed cover letter that clearly addresses how the candidate fits the listed minimum and desired qualifications (max. 5 pages);
- A comprehensive CV (Curriculum Vita);
- Contact information for three references.
Questions regarding the position description may be addressed to the search chair, SoC Associate Director Dr. Jeff Hamerlinck at jeff.hamerlinck@uwyo.edu. Nominations and expressions of interest are welcome and will be held in confidence until on-campus interviews are conducted. Application process questions can be addressed to Tom Musselman at tmusselm@uwyo.edu.
HIRING STATEMENT:
UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to a multicultural environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu
ABOUT LARAMIE:
The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.
Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/
