Description

Boston University invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth & Environment. This tenure-track position in Climate Data Science, beginning on July 1, 2027, is part of the ongoing cluster hire in Environmental Data Science and complements faculty searches within the Faculty of Computing and Data Science. 

We particularly welcome candidates whose research focuses on the physical basis of climate, climate variability, and climate change, and who employ data science methodologies to deepen our understanding of how the climate system is changing and how these changes affect the global environment. Areas of interest include—but are not limited to—the changing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events; interactions between the atmosphere and terrestrial, oceanic, biospheric, and cryospheric systems; and improved understanding of Earth system predictability at seasonal, decadal, and longer time scales. We envision this position playing a central role in connecting and enhancing existing departmental strengths in climate-related research and teaching, including terrestrial and marine biogeosciences, land surface and coastal processes, paleoclimatology, energy and economic policy, and environmental sustainability. This faculty member will also contribute to university-wide interdisciplinary initiatives — including the Urban Biogeoscience and Environmental Health (URBAN) program, the Institute for Global Sustainability, and the Center for Climate and Health at the School of Public Health — and is expected to develop collaborative ties with the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, where shared interests in machine learning, large-scale data analytics, and Earth system modeling provide natural ground for joint advising, co-teaching, and grant development. This hire reflects our commitment to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of climate and data science.  This position contributes to the University convergence themes of Global Sustainability as well as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, & Computing that are core pillars of BU's cross-disciplinary research priorities.

Position Qualifications:

Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent degree, demonstrated ability to obtain external funding to support their program of research and scholarship, and a commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching, education, and mentorship of students. The successful applicant will be expected to supervise graduate research in Ph.D. programs, teach at all levels in the Earth & Environment curriculum, and maintain an externally funded research program. We seek applicants whose research complement strengths in the Department and around the University. For more information about the Department, see https://www.bu.edu/earth. A Ph.D. at the time of appointment is required.  BU is especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. The starting salary for this position will be $115,000 to $130,000.

Application Requirements:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until November 6, 2026. Please use AcademicJobsOnline (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/33020) to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of research, teaching & mentorship, and three representative reprints. Please provide the names and contact information for three professional references. Inquiries can be addressed to Michael Dietze (dietze@bu.edu), Chair, Climate Data Science Search Committee.

Since its founding in 1839, Boston University has embraced a mission of openness and access, becoming one of the rst universities in the nation to welcome all students of ability regardless of race, gender, or creed. That tradition shapes our enduring commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and the robust exchange of ideas. Please visit https://www.bu.edu/values/ to learn more about our shared values.

We seek scholars who will contribute to our community of teachers and researchers through excellence in innovative scholarship, engaged teaching, and participation in the intellectual life of the University. Boston University provides an environment where faculty and students work together across disciplines, perspectives, and experiences to advance knowledge and address society’s most pressing challenges.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualied applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or identied in the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Retaliation is also prohibited. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Under Massachusetts law, we may not require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Boston University, consistent with the AAU’s Principles on Preventing Sexual Harassment, conducts background checks for nal candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. As part of this process, we ask current and past employers of the last seven years whether there has been a substantiated nding of sexual misconduct under their policies. To move forward, nal candidates must complete and sign an “Authorization to Release Information” form after receiving an offer to enable this background check.

Application Materials Required:Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Research statement
Teaching & Mentoring Statement
Three Representative Reprints
Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses  )
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

https://www.bu.edu/earth/
Michael Dietze (dietze@bu.edu)
685 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215