The Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE) at the University of Florida (UF) invites applications for a full time, tenured/tenure track, 9-month faculty position at the rank of Associate/Full Professor in Coastal Engineering. This initiative is part of a recent strategic investment, aimed at expanding our interdisciplinary, field-oriented research program and launching a new undergraduate program in Coastal Engineering. We seek an innovative candidate who is motivated to advance science and technologies in this fast-growing field as well as support curriculum design, workforce development, and graduate and undergraduate student training.
Coastal Engineering is a swiftly advancing field, and demand for training in this discipline is on the rise. Recently, there has been a notable surge in grant funding, which has catalyzed significant scientific progress in both fundamental and applied research of this discipline. The simultaneous adoption of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Engineering with Nature” concept has also spurred substantial national investments integrating coastal environment restoration and engineering. This approach focuses on enhancing the resilience of both natural ecosystems and related man-made infrastructure by harmonizing engineering practices with natural processes. Integrating these groundbreaking advances is vital for both the restoration and the enhancement of resilience of coastal environments, whether built or natural. Collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation among researchers, governmental agencies at both federal and state levels, and academic institutions are imperative for fostering advancements in Coastal Engineering.
Applicants are required to hold a Ph.D. in Coastal Engineering or a closely related field and must have demonstratable experience in conducting, coordinating, and leading large-scale field studies with multiple investigators. A critical responsibility of this role is to collaborate and facilitate coastal research efforts involving a substantial group of active faculty and students. This includes several members from ESSIE and many more from the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering and Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS). CCS and its affiliates have secured over $23 million in external research funding in less than three years, established over 30 partnerships, and initiated more than 15 projects across North and South America and Europe. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong and current record of external federal research funding and have proven ability to work collaboratively with numerous faculty members from CCE, ESSIE, UF, and other institutions. In addition to contributing to a dynamic research environment, candidates are expected to develop robust partnerships with industry for the prototyping and testing of innovative technologies and practices in real-world scenarios. These collaborations aim to extend UF’s interests and investments in ESSIE and CCS, ensuring our research significantly impacts various industries.
ESSIE also upholds a significant educational mission, supporting distinct undergraduate programs in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering. Additionally, it offers separate Ph.D. and Master’s degree programs in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering. Both undergraduate programs are ranked within the top 12 among public institutions, whereas the graduate programs hold a position within the top 19. The school is actively working towards establishing an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree program in Coastal Engineering. To this end, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the initiation of this new undergraduate degree program in Coastal Engineering. Thus, preference will be given to candidates with prior experience with ABET or administrative duties.
The University of Florida is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is ranked as the #1 best public US university according to the Wall Street Journal. UF is currently ranked as one of the best public universities, 6th according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report of Best Colleges. UF is home to HiPerGator, which ranks 3rd among university supercomputers in the nation. In addition, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is currently implementing a major expansion of faculty and state-of-the-art research and education facilities with a focus on AI. The Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, a 260,000 sq feet facility that serves as the hub for Artificial Intelligence, opened in Fall 2023. The College will reach 300 faculty members this year. For more information about our college initiatives, please visit http://eng.ufl.edu. The University and College count among its greatest strengths a value of broad diversity among faculty, students and staff and a robust, inclusive, and welcoming climate for learning and research. UF is committed to equal educational and employment opportunity and access and seeks individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, and other attributes who, among their many exceptional qualifications, have a record of including a broad diversity of individuals in research and learning activities.