Environmental Informatics and Computational Environment Science Faculty

Environmental Informatics and Computational Environment Science Faculty

Posting Summary

Job Summary

Morgan State University (MSU), Maryland’s preeminent public urban research university located in Baltimore, offers more than 160 degree programs, including 31 doctoral programs. Over the past six years, the University’s enrollment has grown by more than 50%, from approximately 7,600 to 12,400 students, while annual research grant output has increased from approximately $30 million to more than $100 million in 2024–2025.

The School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (SCMNS), in partnership with the Morgan State University Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL), invites applications for a 9.5-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Informatics and Computational Environmental Science. The position will support the newly established Center for Urban and Coastal Climate Science Research.

The Center addresses complex climate challenges affecting natural ecosystems, the built environment, the economy, and the health and well-being of Maryland’s residents. We seek an innovative scholar whose research integrates computational methods, environmental science, and advanced data analytics to improve understanding of environmental and climate systems, particularly in urban and coastal communities.

The successful candidate will develop an independent, externally funded research program, contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and mentor students in environmental informatics, computational environmental science, and related fields.

Job Duties

• Establish and sustain an independent research program in environmental informatics and computational environmental science, and pursue competitive external funding from federal, state, foundation, and other sponsors.
• Develop and apply computational and quantitative approaches—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, statistical methods, mathematical modeling, and/or high-performance computing—to investigate environmental and climate systems.
• Integrate and analyze large, heterogeneous environmental datasets to develop predictive models and computational tools for environmental monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment, and decision support.
• Develop interdisciplinary research collaborations across SCMNS, PEARL, the Center for Urban and Coastal Climate Science Research, and other University research centers.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate results through scholarly presentations and other professional activities.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental informatics, computational environmental science, data science, environmental modeling, or related fields.
• Develop interdisciplinary courses and curricula that connect computational science with environmental and climate science.
• Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research technicians.
• Contribute to departmental, school, University, and professional service, community engagement, and initiatives that support student success and inclusive excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Knowledge

• Knowledge of environmental and climate science principles relevant to computational environmental research.
• Knowledge of computational, statistical, and mathematical methods for analyzing and modeling environmental systems.
• Knowledge of methods for managing, integrating, and analyzing large, heterogeneous datasets.
• Knowledge of research design and scientific computing practices relevant to environmental informatics.

Skills

• Skill in applying computational and quantitative methods, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, mathematical modeling, or high-performance computing, to environmental research.
• Skill in using programming languages and analytical tools to process data, develop models, and interpret research findings.
• Skill in communicating complex scientific concepts through written materials, presentations, and instruction.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills to support collaborative research, teaching, and student mentoring.

Abilities

• Ability to develop an independent research agenda and prepare competitive proposals for external funding.
• Ability to develop and evaluate computational models and tools for environmental monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment, or decision support.
• Ability to conduct rigorous research and communicate findings through peer-reviewed publications and scholarly presentations.
• Ability to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses that connect computational methods with environmental and climate science.
• Ability to mentor students and supervise research personnel with varied academic backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to research addressing urban and coastal environmental challenges.

Other Characteristics

• Commitment to student success, inclusive excellence, and a supportive learning and research environment.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing professional development.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in environmental science, environmental informatics, computational science, computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying computational, quantitative, or data-driven methods to environmental or climate research.
• Evidence of scholarly research activity, including peer-reviewed publications and/or externally funded research.
• Demonstrated potential to establish an independent research program and secure external funding.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach undergraduate and graduate courses and mentor students in fields relevant to the position.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, inclusive excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Other Preferences for Consideration

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated research expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Environmental and climate informatics: Environmental data science, climate analytics, and integration of large, heterogeneous environmental, socioeconomic, or health datasets.
• Artificial intelligence for environmental applications: Machine learning, generative AI, foundation models, AI agents, or explainable and responsible AI applied to environmental and climate challenges.
• Environmental modeling and forecasting: Mathematical, statistical, or computational approaches to ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, ecosystem services, environmental hazards, or climate-related risks, including digital twins.
• Geospatial analysis and Earth observation: Geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial analytics, or analysis of environmental disparities.
• Environmental monitoring and scientific computing: Sensor networks, advanced sensing, Internet of Things (IoT), real-time monitoring, high-performance computing, or environmental cyberinfrastructure.
• Urban, coastal, and water systems: Computational approaches to urban environments, smart-city applications, coastal and marine systems, hydrology, watersheds, or water resources.
• Environmental health and biological systems: Environmental exposure and risk modeling, environmental genomics, computational biology, or computational approaches to environmental health.
• Advanced analytical methods and research tools: Causal inference, statistical learning, network science, complex systems analysis, or development of open-source tools, models, databases, and environmental decision-support systems.

Posting Detail Information

Special Instructions to Applicant

• A statement of research accomplishments and future research plans.
• A statement addressing mentoring, inclusive excellence, and/or contributions to diverse learning and research environments.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. • Are you a current, past, or retired Morgan State University employee? Are you a current, past, or retired State employee? If YES to current, past, or retired STATE employee, please state the agency. If not applicable, put N/A. (Open Ended Question)
2. • How did you hear about this employment Opportunity?
     • The Chronicle of Higher Education
     • EDULedger (formerly Diverse Issues in Higher Ed)
     • Higher Ed Jobs
     • Inside Higher Ed
     • Insight into Academia (formerly Insight into Diversity)
     • LinkedIn
     • Mid-Atlantic HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium)
     • Other Online Advertising
     • Agency Referral
     • Website
     • MSU Careers Website
3. • Will you hold an earned Ph.D. in one of the fields listed in the minimum qualifications, or a closely related field, by the time of appointment?
     • Yes
     • No
4. • Describe your proposed research focus and plans for establishing an independent, externally funded research program aligned with the Center for Urban and Coastal Climate Science Research. Maximum 250 words. (Open Ended Question)
5. • Briefly describe your experience applying computational, quantitative, or data-driven methods to environmental or climate research. Identify the methods used and your contribution. Maximum 250 words. (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Reference Letter

Optional Documents

1. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
2. Statement of Interest
3. Research Philosophy
4. Supporting Document