Assistant Professor of Social-Ecological Systems Modeling
The School of Economics (SOE) and the Senator George J. Mitchell Center at the University of
Maine invite applications from social scientists for a tenure-track faculty position in SOE at the
assistant or associate professor level. The successful candidate will join a new Sustainability
Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded by a 5-year, $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant. The position is
one of four new hires supported by SSI, an innovative program in sustainability science. The
successful candidate will participate in interdisciplinary research to develop and implement
models of coupled natural-human systems. Information about SOE may be obtained at
http://www.umaine.edu/soe/ and about SSI at
http://www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/about/index.htm.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will tackle pioneering research problems associated with modeling of
coupled natural-human systems, develop innovative courses, and meet service expectations
through involvement in the efforts of the SSI and SOE. This faculty member will be expected to
develop an active, nationally and internationally recognized, and externally funded research
program. The successful candidate will be expected to teach a modeling course to support the
SSI, develop/teach additional courses to support SOE academic programs, and serve as an
advisor to graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications:
A Ph.D. with specialization in social science modeling or related area is required by the time of
appointment. Expertise in one or more of the following modeling approaches is preferred:
empirical quantitative modeling, simulation-based modeling, agent-based modeling/multi-agent
systems, complexity science, neural networks, social network analysis, visualization or spatial
social science. Preference will also be given to candidates with experience in empirical
modeling of land use/land cover, forest management, or climate change; expertise in
geographic information systems; experience completing interdisciplinary research and working
on interdisciplinary teams; and ability to obtain external funding, publish in leading peer reviewed journals, and provide excellent classroom instruction.
Applications:
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to obtain external funding to support their research
program and to produce high-quality scholarship and publications. Candidates must also
demonstrate the capacity for excellent teaching and mentoring. Candidates at the associate
professor rank must have a proven track record in these areas. Candidates at the assistant
professor level must show promise of significant scholarship and teaching ability.
Applications must include all of the following materials for consideration:
- a cover letter that explicitly describes your qualifications and demonstrates your capacity to complete the position’s responsibilities;
- curriculum vitae;
- names and contact information of three professional references;
- graduate transcript;
- a sample of research.
Please send materials in PDF form to tammy.crosby@maine.edu or in hard copy to Tammy Crosby, School of Economics, Attn: SSI Professor Search Committee, 5782 Winslow Hall, Room 206, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469-5782. Review of applications will begin Dec. 15, 2009. The expected start date is September of 2010, with a possibility of an earlier start date if it is mutually agreeable and funding is available.
The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to
maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty.