Associate Professor or Professor and Director, National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

The Opportunity

The National Center for Integrated Coastal Research (UCF Coastal) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as its director. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenured associate professor or professor position, anticipated to begin Fall 2025.

UCF Coastal integrates science with societal needs to find solutions. Our team of interdisciplinary scientists is committed to an evidence-based, whole-community approach to increase the resiliency and sustainability of coastal communities by bringing together biologists, chemists, engineers, emergency managers, geographers, sociologists, political scientists, medical researchers, economists, and urban planners. Responsible management of Florida’s exceptional coastal resources and ocean-based economy depends on innovative scientific research to address complex environmental, economic, and social challenges. UCF Coastal’s goal is to link the ecological security of coastal ecosystems with the economic security of coastal communities, ensuring the sustainability of our coastlines and economy for generations to come. (https://coastal.ucf.edu/)

UCF Coastal is committed to excellence and innovation on a large scale that leads to positive societal impacts. With this commitment in mind, we are seeking an experienced candidate to provide administrative leadership; establish and expand external and community partnerships; fundraise and facilitate large-scale grant funding proposals; develop programs of individual and collaborative research; support and mentor faculty to seek and obtain external funding; and promote a collegial and collaborative environment.

The selected candidate will report directly to the vice president of Research and select one of the following colleges as a home unit:

• College of Sciences

• College of Engineering and Computer Science

• College of Community Innovation and Education

• College of Business Administration

• Rosen College of Hospitality Management

• College of Medicine

The selected candidate will sustain and refine UCF Coastal’s mission by:

• Leading a world-class effort to assess natural and human-related impacts to the health, restoration, and sustainability of coastal systems and infrastructure.

• Conducting long-term, integrated, multi-disciplinary research with strategic external partners.

• Communicating findings in an effective and efficient way to advance scientific inquiry, support resource conservation and management, and assist policy makers.

• Communicating information to the public.

• Training the next generation of scientists to enter the workforce as effective researchers and science emissaries, with interdisciplinary skills that can bridge the gap between science and society, serving as translators and communicators.

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 68,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the United States and offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For more information, visit https://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. The selected candidate must also have a demonstrated record of high impact research related to coastal systems, demonstrated by a strong scholarly and funding record that is commensurate with rank in a department/school related to the candidate’s area of expertise. 

In order to obtain tenure, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research and service commensurate with rank in a department/school related to the candidate’s area of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior work experiences in academia, or with state or federal agencies focused on coastal management or policy issues (e.g., NOAA, USGS, and FEMA).

• Proven success in building partnerships with local, state, and federal partners.

• A history of working with research teams, especially teams that span multiple disciplines.

• Demonstrated leadership experience.

• Record of success managing an academic program or research center.

• Experience establishing and fostering strong private sector and community/nonprofit partnerships.

• Fundraising and/or successful grant writing experience.

• Proven research success in coastal areas focused on the intersection of climate and hazard impacts to the natural-built environment and human-use system.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter highlighting relevant leadership experience, relevant research experience, and relevant inter-disciplinary experience; a current curriculum vitae; and three (3) research publications from the last five (5) years most aligned with this position.

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.

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.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Professor Claire Connolly Knox at Claire.Knox@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled. Applications reviewed on a continuous basis.

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.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.