Faculty Cluster Hire in WATER
University of California, Irvine

The University of California Irvine announces an interdisciplinary cluster hire of four faculty members to increase its capacity and world leadership in tackling the grand challenges related to water in urbanized environments, including water-related environmental and food security issues. Southern California is a mosaic of cities and open spaces whose history and future are inextricably tied to water, and whose experiences with water are paralleled by coastal metropolitan areas around the world facing population growth, development pressure, demands for ecosystem protection, and water scarcity. The cluster hire will build on UC Irvine’s existing strengths in urban planning, public policy, hydrology, water resources, ecosystems, earth system science, and climate change and will be uniquely positioned and supported to grow new multidisciplinary collaborations across campus emphasizing new paradigms of sustainability and ecosystem resilience for metropolitan areas. We are seeking candidates whose research involves field studies, modeling and theory and, based on academic preparation and research interests, would fit into one of the following four Departmental positions:

Water resources: Tenured Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (http://engineering.uci.edu/dept/cee) with particular interest in candidates who integrate field studies, modeling and theory to advance understanding of water cycle dynamics in coupled human-natural systems.

Water and ecosystems: Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://ecoevo.bio.uci.edu/) with particular interest in candidates who pursue predictive understanding of ecosystem processes and their response to climate and human pressures via theoretical, field work, and modeling approaches.

Water and food security: Tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth System Science (http://www.ess.uci.edu) with particular interest in candidates with expertise and interest in understanding water at the intersection of optimizing food production and environmental sustainability in water-scarce environments.

Water and resource economics: Tenured Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Planning, Policy and Design (http://ppd.soceco.uci.edu/) with particular interest in candidates with expertise and interest in the area of environmental economics, natural capital, valuation of ecosystem services, urban planning, and public policy.

UCI has an exceptional array of field sites, open-space preserves, partner relationships, and research facilities that are strategically aligned in the context of geography, climatology, economic and social structures of southern California. Bringing faculty and students together around the theme of WATER offers a unique opportunity to create exceptional research capacity at UCI for addressing challenges at the water-food-energy nexus under increasing climate and human pressures. Applicants are encouraged to visit Departmental websites (shown above) to learn more about research strengths and programs. With this cluster hiring initiative, UCI aspires to identify exceptionally talented candidates who share our vision and will increase our capacity for world leadership.

Applicants are expected to have advanced degrees and publication records commensurate with appointment levels in the department of interest. Successful candidates will be expected to develop externally funded research programs, engage in both undergraduate and graduate education, and contribute their leadership and innovative thinking towards global prominence in water, cities, and the environment. Teaching opportunities will vary by Department and teaching qualifications will be a consideration for fit with the respective unit. Successful candidates will also be expected to contribute towards a campus-wide initiative to create more field-based (off-campus) student learning opportunities with the goal of increasing the number of students (especially underrepresented minority students) pursuing graduate degrees in water-related programs.

Applications should include a cover letter, a description of research interests illuminating potential to support the goals of the cluster hire, a description of teaching interests including ability to contribute to Departmental and interdisciplinary programs, a curriculum vitae, a statement describing commitment to diversity, and the names of at least four references. (References would not be contacted until the later stages of consideration, after consultation.)

Applications completed by September 15, 2016 will receive fullest consideration, but each department will continue reviewing applicant files until that position is filled.

To be considered for one of the four available positions, apply electronically at:

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering:
https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF03389

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology:
https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF03408

Department of Earth System Science: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF03396

Department of Planning, Policy and Design: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF03377

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.