Research Faculty for the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (4 Positions, Non-Tenure Track)

The Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR) advances the practice of coastal resilience and adaptation by engaging with communities, organizations, and businesses to develop and deploy solutions based on integrated, innovative, and applied research. These positions are part of the launch of a unique collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).

In support, ODU seeks to hire four Research Professors (Associate or Assistant rank) who can serve as a cohort to launch this collaboration that will unite the resources of ODU and CBF to assist localities, communities, organizations, and businesses in meeting the Commonwealth’s coastal resilience goals. These faculty will be part of ODU’s ICAR in four areas identified in collaboration with stakeholders to fill critical gaps in innovation and technical assistance needed to build resilience and support adaptation at the local, regional, and state levels. In all positions, expertise on the use of natural and nature-based features is highly desired. One position will be filled in each of the following areas:

We seek faculty members with expertise in the theory, methodology, application, and implementation of resilience and adaptation action in the above areas. Most importantly, faculty members should have a specific interest in conducting applied research and translating science to action to assist localities, communities, organizations, and businesses with making measurable progress toward resilience and adaptation goals. These four faculty hires will work collaboratively as a cohort and with other ODU teaching and research faculty, CBF, other ICAR partners, and end users across Virginia to:

About ODU: Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Old Dominion University (www.odu.edu) is a state-supported, entrepreneurial-minded Carnegie “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” institution with over 24,000 students (of which almost 5,000 are graduate students) and 900 full-time faculty. Norfolk is a culturally rich, historic city and a major international maritime center in Hampton Roads, a metropolitan area of over 1.5 million people. The Hampton Roads region is extremely vulnerable to sea level rise, yet also home to the world’s largest natural deep water port and third largest port on the East Coast, the Atlantic headquarters of NATO, and Naval Station Norfolk, which houses the U.S. Navy and U.S. Fleet Forces Command. This provides faculty with unique opportunities for deep, long-term engagement on resilience and adaptation by living and working as a part of these communities.About the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience: ICAR was launched by an interdisciplinary group of faculty in 2018 to leverage over eight years of ODU investment and leadership in coastal adaptation and resilience scholarship. Buoyed by a $3 million endowment by Joan Perry Brock, ICAR hired an executive director in 2021 and embarked on an organization process to build an interdisciplinary center focused on leading fundamental and applied research, education, and engaged partnerships to develop practical solutions to the challenges coastal communities face. In 2023, ICAR is launching a faculty, student, and community partner affiliation program focused on sea level rise and climate science, social science and policy, flooding and built environments, and the health dimensions of coastal resilience. ICAR catalyzes the action needed to build vibrant communities, strong economies, and healthy ecosystems across the Commonwealth of Virginia despite natural hazards and climate change.

About the Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, with more than 91,000 members around Virginia. The CBF advocates for effective, science-based solutions to pollution impacting the Bay, its rivers, and its streams. CBF engages on climate resilience and adaptation in recognition that climate change and its resulting impacts could lead to additional pollution loads to the Bay. As Virginia’s localities, organizations, businesses, and people act to implement solutions that reduce climate change risk, CBF seeks to ensure that these actions also benefit the outcome of Virginia’s clean water blueprint. This ICAR–CBF research faculty cohort will play a critical role in ensuring that fundamental and applied research informs decision-making on climate resilience and adaptation action throughout coastal Virginia. Successful candidates will be able to work across ODU and CBF, as well as the numerous localities, organizations, state agencies, and businesses that partner with ICAR and CBF.

Requirements for candidates for the research faculty positions are the potential for success in research and grant writing and the ability to interact and communicate clearly with internal and external constituencies. Candidates must be able to work in an interdisciplinary cohort and environment with a focus on problem solving. Because of the innovative nature of these positions, candidates must be oriented toward collaborative, interdisciplinary research and technical assistance. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to helping external constituencies with programs, policies, and projects translating science to action and to seeing these efforts through to completion with these partners.

Applicants should possess an appropriate terminal degree and an academic record commensurate with their time in the field.

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

Interested candidates should visit https://jobs.odu.edu/postings/17684 to submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest that describes how they would support this vision of community engaged applied research and technical assistance on resilience and adaptation at ODU, unofficial graduate transcripts, and contact information for four references. When applying, candidates should clearly specify which position they are applying for.

For additional information regarding the position, please contact Search Committee Chair Carol Considine, Director of Applied Projects, ICAR (cconsidi@odu.edu). The review of applications will begin February 1, 2022 and continue until positions are filled.

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Individuals from minoritized communities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity at (757) 683-3141.

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