Background: The Department of Marine and Environmental Science (MES) in the School of Science at Hampton University invites applications for a twelve-month Research Assistant Professor position in Marine and Environmental Science, with the potential to transition into a tenure-track position. This position is funded by the ED Interdisciplinary Climate Science Program grant and will begin in Fall 2025.
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a leading historically black university (HBCU) located in the City of Hampton on the Hampton River Estuary in the James River drainage of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a privately endowed, co-educational, nonsectarian institution.
The Department of Marine and Environmental Science, founded in 1978, is one of the top producers of African-American geoscience undergraduates of any HBCU for over the last 15 years and is the only HBCU listed in the top 20 Marine Science programs. Our faculty members have diverse research interests and currently lead both research and training programs funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Education Partnership Program, the Department of Education, the Navy, and the National Science Foundation. These include internationally recognized multi-decadal training and experiential grants as well as highly competitive, nationally recognized research awards. In addition to a graduate (Masters) program, MES, along with the Atmospheric and Planetary Science Department were recently awarded funding to develop anInterdisciplinary Climate Science Program (Master’s and PhD).This newly formed Program seeks a Research Assistant Professor position within MES that provides the theoretical foundation for environmental change and developing data visualization and bioinformatic predictive tools to assess changes in aquatic environments. One overall goal is to use data visualization for restoration ecology. More specifically, how microbial communities and estuarine biodiversity shift, and the implication of those shifts on climate, health, and the coastal community.
Benefits:
- Office and Research Laboratory Space
- Opportunities to mentor and co-teach undergraduate and graduate students
- Interdisciplinary research collaboration (oceanography, climate data science, marine science, earth system modeling, coastal ecology, hydrology, and environmental health)
Duties and Responsibilities: The department is seeking candidates with highly productive research backgrounds in data analytics and visualization, restoration ecology, and an interest in developing local research in Virginia’s Coastal Plain and its watersheds. Candidates with research experience in big data, bioinformatics, data visualization, soil ecology, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, modeling, coastal ecology and/or engagement with local communities are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from candidates from traditionally underserved backgrounds in the aquatic and environmental sciences are likewise highly encouraged. We seek candidates committed to all-encompassing excellence in teaching and mentoring a range of students from various backgrounds in the geosciences. This position carries the potential to co-teach, including mentorship of graduate students.
Required Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in Aquatic (freshwater or marine), Environmental Science, Ecology, Oceanography, Geoscience, Data Science or related discipline. Postdoctoral research and teaching experience is preferred but not required. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Required Documents: Applications should include (1): a cover letter that highlights how the candidate’s research/scholarship and service will support the MES Department’s mission, specifically around restoration ecology and data visualization (2) a current CV, (3) a research statement up to 3 pages in length that describes past research accomplishments and future research plans, and (4) contact information for three references, at least one of which must attest to teaching experience and ability with diverse student audiences. Application materials must be submitted by Monday, July 28, 2025 for full consideration for the position.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to the MES Search Committee Chair,
Dr. Jeanette Davis (jeanette.davis@hamptonu.edu)
The application materials must be addressed to:
Dr. Jeanette Davis
Department of Marine and Environmental Science
3 Shore Road
Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668
All application materials must be emailed to the following address:
Dr. Jeanette Davis, Project Coordinator Assistant, (jeanette.davis@hamptonu.edu)
