The School of Meteorology (https://ou.edu/ags/meteorology) at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position focused on social and/or behavioral sciences applied to weather and climate studies. The School is housed within the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences. The Purpose of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences is to inspire and prepare individuals for rewarding careers that advance the understanding and responsible stewardship of the land, water, and sky, promoting a more resilient and flourishing future of our dynamic world. We deliver an exceptional interdisciplinary education that fosters discovery and drives innovation through experiential learning, technological advancement, convergence research, and workforce development. Our collaborative environment empowers students, faculty, and staff to tackle significant environmental and humanitarian challenges, facilitating resilience and economic growth.

We seek to continue to broaden the expertise in the School of Meteorology in the application of social, behavioral, and economic science (SBES) to weather and climate, a rapidly growing focus within the atmospheric sciences. Specifically, we seek an empirically oriented and methodologically pluralistic scholar who can connect the School's strengths in physical weather and climate research with SBES to better understand how individuals and organizations understand, use, and respond to weather and climate information, hazards, and impacts. Relevant expertise may include risk communication, decision-making, public perceptions and behavior, hazards and disasters, vulnerability and resilience, or the use of weather and climate information in operational and policy settings. We welcome a wide range of empirical approaches, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, experiments, computational methods, and other quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches appropriate for studying these questions. Experience in interdisciplinary research and collaboration with atmospheric scientists and external partners is especially valued, as is experience working with emergency managers or other operational partners.

The School of Meteorology is currently composed of 35 faculty and has a long and distinguished history of excellence in various sub-fields of the atmospheric sciences. Our vision is to develop the School into a globally-engaged, student-centered atmospheric science program to advance the Nation’s Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise, by leveraging our strengths in research, education, and community engagement.

The University of Oklahoma is a Carnegie-R1, comprehensive, public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. The University of Oklahoma enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges. 

Norman is a vibrant university town of around 130,000 inhabitants with a growing entertainment and art scene. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender on “best place to live” rankings. Visit https://www.ou.edu/facultyrecruitment and https://www.ou.edu/dam/provost/documents/facultyflipbook.pdf for more information. Within an easy commute, Oklahoma City features a dynamic economy and outstanding cultural venues adding to the region’s growing appeal.

Applicants must possess a PhD in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a related discipline at the time of appointment. The candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, independent research program; to develop and teach courses; and to contribute to mentorship and advisement of students in the undergraduate and graduate degree programs of the School of Meteorology.

To apply, submit as one single pdf document a comprehensive cover letter (not to exceed 10 pages), current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information of at least 3 people who can serve as references. Apply at: https://apply.interfolio.com/195462.

The cover letter must address the candidate’s approach to: 

·        Teaching (past instructional experiences and plans/goals for teaching at the University of Oklahoma, including teaching existing and proposed courses), 

·        Research (including prior contributions to research and goals for developing a strong research program at the University of Oklahoma), 

·        Service (their vision for internal service to the academic unit, the College and the University, and for external service to our scientific community and other stakeholders)

·        Student mentorship (including past mentorship experiences and/or mentoring approach)

For any questions regarding the application process, please contact David Bodine at [email protected].