Job Description

Brief Summary of Work for this Position
The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) and Coastal Hazards to begin Fall 2026. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience in/ability to:
Develop teaching and curriculum in geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) and coastal hazards,
Apply GeoAI methodologies to coastal hazards research,
Establish an extramurally funded research program, and
Demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and public outreach.

We are looking for an individual who is eager to teach introductory through graduate courses in emerging GeoAI techniques and coastal hazards. Teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels may include 1) theory and applications of burgeoning AI within the geospatial domain, 2) the study of coastal hazards, and 3) preparing students for careers in AI with an emphasis on geospatial analytics.
The UNCW EOS Department offers numerous graduate and undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates with direct relevance to this position and EOS has a strong and growing geospatial science expertise. To strengthen UNCW’s commitment to the community, preference will be given to candidates with a focus on community engagement and emerging regional environmental issues.

We seek an Earth scientist with a strong research background focused on coastal hazards, such as flooding, sea-level change, temperature/climate change, coastal erosion, and tsunamis, and the study of mitigation of/adaptation to their impacts. The ideal candidate will have advanced GeoAI expertise in areas that advance geospatial concepts and theory, including: spatiotemporal modeling, Natural Language Processing implemented within the spatial domain, Big Data cloud computing for spatial statistical pattern and trend analysis, data visualization/communication techniques, data uncertainty and error propagation, or integration of GeoAI with mobile data collection/IoT real-time data.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Geography, Geospatial Sciences, Earth and Ocean Sciences, or a related discipline by August 1, 2026 to be eligible for employment.
Must have technical experience developing GeoAI tools and techniques.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Preference will be given to applicants who successfully demonstrate:
Focus on coastal hazards research and GeoAI. For example, the ideal candidate investigates emerging techniques in GeoAI, big data analytics, deep learning, pattern detection, multitemporal trend analysis, and other advanced analytical techniques, and targets research questions related to flooding, sea-level change, temperature/climate change, coastal erosion, tsunamis, or other coastal hazards.
Teaching experience in geospatial artificial intelligence and coastal hazards.
Record of publication and grantsmanship within geospatial and coastal hazards research.
Eagerness and aptitude to become actively engaged in community-driven research and public outreach.
Required Certifications or Licensure
No required Certifications or Licensure
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences (https://uncw.edu/earsci/) offers the following degrees: B.S. in Geology and Oceanography, M.S. and B.A. in Geosciences, B.A. in Geography and Geospatial Science, and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science. The department is accredited with the USGIF Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Program, maintains an outstanding record of research and scholarship, and provides powerful undergraduate/graduate student experiences that include applied learning, field studies, and mentored research. New facilities include an NSF-funded Coastal UAS Observatory, teaching/applied learning 40- and 20-seat computer labs with geospatial software, and an Oceanographic Instrumentation laboratory, all of which comprise numerous drones (fixed wing and multi-copter), lidar, multispectral/hyperspectral, and thermal sensors, several RTK-GPS, handheld spectro-radiometer, and additional in-situ validation instrumentation. UNCW maintains a wide range of analytical facilities in support of research including sedimentology, geospatial analysis, electron microscopy, stable isotope mass spectrometry, aqueous chemistry, NMR and DNA facilities, as well as a dive shop, machine shop, and instrument shop at the UNCW Center for Marine Science (https://uncw.edu/cms/).
College/School Information
The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.
University Information
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.
EEO Statement
UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.
Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.