Department/Organization
207105 - CCIS Research

Rank
Assistant Professor

Position Summary
This position will support and/or oversee research projects in coordination with CIROH and NOAA/OWP collaborators.

Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama (UA) seeks applications for a social scientist to join a growing team supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH). The social scientist will bring to UA and CIROH expertise in social and behavioral sciences to work closely with CIROH researchers and NOAA operational professionals to design and implement mixed methods research studies seeking to understand risk perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and preferences of users of hydrologic forecast information related to floods, droughts, and water quality. The social scientist will use surveys, focus group facilitation, interviews, stakeholder engagement, document analysis, desk research, and other methods to collect information. The social scientist will conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of research results using statistical, visualization, modeling, and other analysis and synthesis tools. The social scientist's activities will support translation of CIROH research into operations at the NOAA Office of Water Prediction (OWP), the National Water Center, and other operational endpoints.

The social scientist will receive a nine-month appointment (renewable contract) with workload split between CIROH, at 90%, and the College of Communication and Information Sciences (C&IS), at 10%; the social scientist will also be situated in one of the C&IS academic units: Advertising & Public Relations, Communication Studies, Journalism & Creative Media, or Library & Information Studies. The initial appointment for this position is expected to last three years (with potential for renewal); it is anticipated that this position will not carry a teaching load. The social scientist will: support and/or oversee research projects, in coordination with CIROH and NOAA/OWP collaborators; assume responsibility for monitoring, assessing, and supporting social science research projects being led by CIROH researchers; lead and/or make significant contributions to the planning and design of research and creative proposals and projects; develop, organize, and participate in meetings, discussion sessions, workshops, and seminars related to research project assignments; assist in short- and long-term planning for the CIROH social science research portfolio; and actively disseminate research and project findings.

CIROH, a partnership between NOAA and The University of Alabama, is a national consortium committed to advancing water prediction - the forecasting of streamflow entering water systems, extreme events such as floods and droughts, and water quality - and building community resilience to water-related challenges. CIROH scientists, from 28 different institutions - academic, government, and private - work to improve the understanding of hydrologic processes, operational hydrologic forecasting techniques and workflows, community water modeling, translation of forecasts to actionable products, and use of water predictions in decision making.

Review of applications will begin June 14, 2024, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions regarding the search should be directed to the search chair, Matthew VanDyke at vandyke@apr.ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications
* Terminal degree in social and behavioral sciences, geosciences, communication, education, meteorology, or other disciplines connected to the human dimensions of water forecasting.
* Technical ability to implement survey and interview research - including survey software - and data skills to compile, manage, and analyze study results.
* Potential for leading social science research projects.
* Potential for leading multidisciplinary research teams.
* Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and facilitation skills; positive attitude; proactive; strong written and verbal communication and organization skills.

Preferred Qualifications
* Professional or research experience in risk communication. * Professional or research experience in water and/or weather-related contexts. * Ability and interest in applying data science. * Experience working on multidisciplinary, complex projects * Evidence of or potential for attracting extramural funding. * A record of research and extramural funding, or the potential for funding in the future, that connects to water issues.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
To apply, go to https://facultyjobs.ua.edu and provide the following: 1) Cover letter highlighting how your experience and interests have prepared you to meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications for this position. 2) CV. 3) Names and contact information for three references.

About the Division/College/School
The College of Communication and Information Sciences is home to state-of-the-art media and research facilities like the Digital Media Center and the Institute for Communication and Information Research. The College's students and programs have won several regional and national awards in multiple areas ranging from forensics and debate to being named PRWeek's Most Outstanding Education Program. The College offers bachelor's degrees in advertising, communication studies, creative media, news media and public relations; master's degrees in advertising and public relations, book arts, communication studies, journalism and media studies, and library and information studies; and a multidisciplinary doctoral degree in communication and information sciences. With an award-winning faculty and staff and commitment to innovative scholarship and teaching, the College of Communication and Information Sciences is dedicated to realizing the potential of communication and information to make everyone's world a better place.

About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state's flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.

A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.

As the state's largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.

It's a vibrant community that's filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that's complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It's within a few hours' drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South's finest offerings.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf