Tenure-track Faculty Position in Coastal Engineering

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge and addresses complex real-world challenges that cross disciplinary boundaries. In this context, Virginia Tech plans to increase interdisciplinary capacity and disciplinary excellence in coastal hazards and disasters with a series of linked hires within the Center for Coastal Studies and the Global System Science Destination Area. In this collaborative spirit, the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) and the Center for Coastal Studies (Coastal@VT) at Virginia Tech seek applications to fill a tenure-track faculty position in the field of coastal engineering with an emphasis on coastal hazards and disasters.

The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering has 79 faculty, and a current enrollment of 320 graduate students and over 650 undergraduate students. The department ranks 8th and 9th in undergraduate and graduate education, respectively, among all U.S. civil engineering departments (USN&WR). With classroom and lab facilities in Blacksburg, Virginia and the National Capital Region of Washington, D.C., the department is one of the largest civil engineering programs in the United States.

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The College of Engineering, whose undergraduate program ranks 13th and graduate program ranks 31st among all U.S. engineering schools (USN&WR). The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance and stewardship.

The successful candidate will join the Center for Coastal Studies, which brings together 50+ faculty from eight of the nine academic colleges of Virginia Tech. The Center is affiliated with the Global System Science Destination Area that is focused on the study of the dynamic interplay among natural and social systems. Faculty working together in this area are collaborating toward transdisciplinary solutions to critical social problems emergent from human activity and environmental change. Work in this area also embraces equity in the human condition by seeking the equitable distribution and availability of physical safety and well-being, psychological well-being, respect for human dignity, and access to crucial material and social resources throughout the world’s diverse communities.

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and service activities within the Department’s Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Program, and to service activities in the College and University. Responsibilities include developing a nationally/internationally recognized and externally funded research program, mentoring and supervising doctoral and master’s students, and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely aligned field at the time of appointment. The position is anticipated to be filled at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Evidence of scholarship, research, and a record of external funding is required for consideration of appointment at the Associate Professor level.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability in teaching and/or research in areas that align with Virginia Tech’s university-wide, multi-disciplinary focus on Global Systems Science is preferred. Furthermore, preference will be given to candidates who: (1) show substantial evidence of high-quality academic scholarship, (2) demonstrate ability or potential to attract external research funding, commensurate with rank; (3) articulate a vision of how their research portfolio will grow in the next decade and who are clearly cognizant of evolving funding opportunities in their field; (4) engage in research and teaching that complements existing strengths, resources, and infrastructure; (5) clearly indicate how their teaching and mentoring will benefit our student community; and (6) demonstrate strong commitments to diversity, inclusion, and equity in research, teaching, and university service.

Additional Information

This faculty position will be filled at Virginia Tech's main campus, located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Blacksburg, and the surrounding areas, are consistently ranked among the country's best places to live. The position start date is January 2022.

Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (job number 516095): application materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement discussing research and teaching goals, and contact information for at least three references. Applicants are encouraged to highlight within their statement on research and teaching goals how they promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Review of applications will commence on August 10, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Irish at jirish@vt.edu (540-231-2298).

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

The department and program both fully embrace Virginia Tech’s commitment to increase faculty, staff, and student diversity; to ensure a welcoming, affirming, safe, and accessible campus climate; to advance our research, teaching, and service mission through inclusive excellence; and to promote sustainable transformation through institutionalized structures. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Beth Lucas at blucas06@vt.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.