Assistant Professor, Geography & Geographic Information Science, Tenure-Track

Salary/Position Classification

• $70,000 9-month contract, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): No

Purpose of Position

The Department of Geography & GISc. at the University of North Dakota is seeking an Assistant Professor in Transportation/Geospatial Technologies. This is a 9-month, tenure-track position, contingent on availability of funding.

The Geography & GISc. Department is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences and currently offers a B.S. degree in Geography, B.S. and B.A. degrees in Environmental Studies, and an M.S. degree in Geography including a Professional Science Masters option.

UND has recently invested considerable resources in establishing cross-disciplinary research clusters, including in the areas of advanced computational methods (e.g., “Big Data”); Autonomous Systems; and Energy and Environmental Sustainability, which present exciting opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary research and teaching. Applications from candidates whose research and teaching contributes to areas such as the geovisualization of big data (including data obtained from drones and remote sensors), artificial intelligence, geoanalytics, and web mapping are particularly welcome. The faculty member will make significant contributions to the appropriate institutional research clusters, many of them significantly involving faculty in the College of Engineering and Mines and/or the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Additional opportunities exist for collaborations in public health, hazards, vulnerability, and crisis mapping.

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful applicant will receive a contract with an approximate distribution of 30% teaching, 60% research, and 10% service effort. UND and the College of Arts & Sciences value diverse perspectives and seek applicants to help students succeed. The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding promise for establishing a sustainable research program that will attract external funds and be aligned with the UND LEADS Strategic Plan. The University of North Dakota is supportive of dual-career assistance both within the University and the local community. Please contact UND’s Recruiting Manager, Hannah Whalen (Hannah.Whalen@UND.edu), to explore dual-career opportunities.

This is a new position in the Department of Geography & GISc and is strongly aligned with the UND research initiatives, collectively called the Grand Challenges.  The teaching load emphasizes instruction related to geospatial and transportation planning with the opportunity to develop courses such as Big Data Applications, Transportation Planning, and Urban Geography and Planning. Expertise of the successful candidate will contribute to the department’s recently launched MS GEOG Professional Science Master’s Program (online non-thesis professional master’s curriculum).

This position will be aligned with the Transportation Technology Research Initiative, led by the College of Engineering and Mines, as well as the Big Data and UAV Grand Challenges. As such, this Department of Geography & GISc faculty member will be expected to generate individual as well as collaborative grants and contracts. Additional areas of potential collaboration include the UND Energy and Environmental Sustainability Grand Challenge and/or the UND Rural Health & Communities Grand Challenge requiring expertise in transportation routing, geospatial data analysis and application. These and other aspects of transportation geography-based projects can lead to enhancing conditions for the people of North Dakota and elsewhere.

Office space is centered within the Department of Geography & GISc already, and this individual will have research space in the department’s Contract Research Lab (Ireland Hall 167) for housing the two GRAs who would be part of this faculty member’s initial research team.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in transportation and geospatial technologies, including on-campus (in-person)/online courses and term-based asynchronous online courses
• Teach undergraduate courses as part of the Essential Studies curriculum including on-campus (in-person)/online courses and term-based asynchronous online courses
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students
• Work collaboratively with other Geography & GISc. Department faculty to achieve consistent and high-quality learning environments
• Advise and mentor graduate students, direct graduate theses and independent study projects
• Establish a solid and productive research program with emphasis on an area of Transportation Geography/Geospatial Analytics, including seeking extramural funding to support individual and collaborative projects. Serve as a catalyst for attracting and supporting graduate students in the M.S. Program in the Department of Geography & GISc.

Required Competencies

• Perform work in data science and visualization that requires the use of complex methodologies, challenging datasets, and close coordination with research project managers/stakeholders.
• Conduct data analysis and develop data visualization components of assorted research projects and development efforts.
• Develop and apply a variety of methods for the analysis of complex transportation and geospatial data sets.
• Keep abreast of trends in technology and finding ways to connect them to solving challenges to mobility and access to opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively on teams and a desire to grow professionally as a technical expert.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to adapt to current methods of teaching, including online delivery.
• Ability to work with and engage diverse students and colleagues within and outside of the Department of Geography and GISc.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Geography, Geographic Information Science, Transportation Planning, City and Regional Planning, or an allied discipline by August 15, 2025.
• Successful completion of criminal history background check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Trained in teaching transportation geography and geospatial courses that include web mapping, geo-visualization of big data, drone data, and environmental remote sensing.
• Experience with ESRI GIS software and programming experience (e.g. Python) and working with large datasets.
• Experience with transportation data specifications like GTFS, AVL, APC, GBFS, OSM.
• Strong record of publications in well-regarded peer-reviewed journals.
• Focus in transportation, especially transit, and improving access to mobility in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
• Experience with web development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS).
• Experience with advanced statistical/machine learning techniques (e.g. regression, simulation, scenario analysis, modeling, clustering, random forest, etc.).
• Evidence of successful teaching.
• Demonstrated experience successfully attaining grants and contracts.

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 11/18/2024 and include the following materials:

• Cover letter (to include a description of experiences and commitment to engaging a diverse student body)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching statement (max. 2-3 pp)
• Research statement (max 2-3 pp)
• Contact information for a minimum of three professional references
• Further information may be requested later (e.g., letters of recommendation, a graduate transcript, teaching evaluations)
• Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.

Position is open until filled.

Questions can be directed to the Department Chair, Gregory Vandeberg at gregory.vandeberg@und.edu