The Opportunity
The University of Central Florida’s National Center for Integrated Coastal Research (UCF Coastal) (https://www.ucf.edu/research/sustainable-coastal-systems/) seeks to recruit two 9-month faculty members in Sustainable Coastal Systems, beginning Fall 2026. We anticipate hiring one Assistant Professor (tenure earning) and one Associate Professor (tenured). These interdisciplinary positions are designed to have tenure homes either in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (https://www.cecs.ucf.edu/), the College of Sciences (https://sciences.ucf.edu/), or the Rosen College of Hospitality Management (https://hospitality.ucf.edu/), depending on their academic background and discipline, reflecting UCF Coastal’s cross-college structure. UCF Coastal, which grew out of the Sustainable Coastal Systems cluster initiative (https://www.ucf.edu/research/sustainable-coastal-systems/), unites faculty across disciplines to link ecological security with economic resilience and sustainability. The Center brings together researchers in anthropology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/anthropology/), biology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/), chemistry (https://sciences.ucf.edu/chemistry/), communication (https://communication.ucf.edu/), economics (https://business.ucf.edu/departments-schools/economics/), engineering (https://www.cecs.ucf.edu/), planning (https://ccie.ucf.edu/public-administration/), emergency management (https://www.ucf.edu/degree/emergency-management-and-homeland-security-certificate/), sociology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/sociology/), and beyond to advance transdisciplinary solutions for coastal resilience.
Applicants should be active research leaders focused on interdisciplinary work in coastal-linked fields, such as anthropology/archaeology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/anthropology/), biology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/), chemistry (https://sciences.ucf.edu/chemistry/), communication (https://communication.ucf.edu/), engineering (https://www.cecs.ucf.edu/), physics (https://sciences.ucf.edu/physics/), modeling, political science (https://sciences.ucf.edu/politics/), sociology (https://sciences.ucf.edu/sociology/), or other complementary disciplines. They will be joining a vibrant cluster of current faculty representing ten departments across six colleges.
These new faculty will lead world-class efforts to integrate and translate physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic dimensions of coastal systems, including ecosystem health, restoration, resilience, sustainability, and adaptation. They will be expected to bolster both their tenure home department (within either the College of Sciences or the College of Engineering and Computer Science) and the mission of UCF Coastal (https://www.ucf.edu/research/sustainable-coastal-systems/).
Each position will carry responsibilities in interdisciplinary research, mentoring, teaching, and service. Start-up packages and infrastructure support will reflect the cross-college, interdisciplinary nature of the appointments.
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
A strong record of interdisciplinary research and publication
Interest in, ability to, or potential for leading collaborative, high-impact research programs
Capacity to secure external research funding and gain national or international recognition
Commitment to contributing to both their tenure home department and to the broader goals of UCF Coastal (https://www.ucf.edu/research/sustainable-coastal-systems/)
About UCF: The University of Central Florida (https://www.ucf.edu/) is among the nation's largest universities, with over 63,000 students. It offers more than 230 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across its 12 colleges and is recognized nationally for innovation and research impact. UCF serves as a vital economic driver in Central Florida, offering students real-world experiences and preparing them for successful careers. For more information about UCF, please visit http://www.ucf.edu.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Ph.D., terminal degree, or foreign degree equivalent from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to UCF Coastal—including Anthropology, Biology, Communications, Computer Science, Engineering, Political Science, Sociology or related fields—is required. The selected candidate(s) must complement (not duplicate) UCF Coastal’s current expertise and must have a demonstrated record of high-impact research or a clear trajectory of future research productivity related to coastal systems as evidenced by a strong scholarly and/or funding record commensurate with rank in a department or school aligned with the candidate’s area of expertise.
In keeping with UCF’s core values of excellence, community, creativity, and integrity, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive and innovative teaching, and research that advances knowledge while serving society.
To be eligible for appointment as a tenured Associate Professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with rank in a department or school related to their area of expertise.
Preferred Qualifications:
We are seeking candidates with expertise in coastal planning, land use planning, infrastructure resilience, coastal hazard mitigation, or environmental planning; a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and publication; a commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative research in UCF Coastal; interest in generating external funding, community engagement and partnerships; and active membership in professional organizations.
Additional Application Materials Required:
UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.
In addition to completing the online application, candidates must upload the following materials:
A cover letter that outlines their qualifications, research expertise, potential home department(s) and envisioned contributions to UCF Coastal.
A current curriculum vitae.
A research statement that clearly demonstrates how their work aligns with the mission and vision of UCF Coastal (https://www.ucf.edu/research/sustainable-coastal-systems/) and complements the expertise of its current faculty.
A list of three (3) professional references, including names, titles, and complete contact information.
The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.
NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Professor Christopher T. Emrich, [email protected].
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
N/A
Job Close Date:
Open until filled
Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:
Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
Retirement savings options.
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
Education assistance.
Flexible work environment.
And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.
Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:
Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.
The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.
Department
Office of Research, Research Centers & Institutes, and Burnett Honors College HR Business Center
Work Schedule
Varies
Type of Appointment
Regular
Expected Salary
Negotiable
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [email protected].
For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].
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