Assistant Professor-FixedTerm

Working/Functional TitleDirector of RS&GIS Research and Outreach ServicesPosition SummaryThe Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Director for the Remote Sensing & GIS Research and Outreach Services (RS&GIS) program. The successful candidate is expected to:1) guide RS&GIS's operations and provide strategic vision,2) pursue grants and contracts to support RS&GIS,3) conduct basic and/or applied research at the forefront of Geographic Information Science (GIScience) to solve problems from local to global scales,4) teach one class per year within the Department, and5) complete a variety of administrative tasks necessary for running a soft money research and outreach unit.Primary responsibilities include managing RS&GIS staff and obtaining external grant funding and conducting research that utilizes the skillset of existing staff employed by RS&GIS and the Department. The Director will also serve as the principal investigator for the program's outreach opportunities, and both pursue their own research interests, as well as integrate geospatial technologies into research initiatives through interdisciplinary collaboration within the Department and across campus. To assist with this, the Director will have access to a successful, innovative, collaborative team of analysts, developers, and talented and ambitious Department faculty.To ensure success, the candidate must have a strong grasp of geospatial technologies and a demonstrated ability to solve real-world problems using innovative techniques within a team environment. Postdoctoral experience is expected as well as capacities in, but not limited to, spatial data analysis, data analytics, data automation, remote sensing, image processing, location intelligence, software development, 3D modeling, GPS, spatial statistics and unmanned systems.Background: Remote Sensing and GIS Research and Outreach Services (RS&GIS) provides geospatial technology services and training to Michigan State University units, state/federal governments, municipalities, not-for-profits, and the private sector. Comprised of a diverse professional staff, RS&GIS maintains expertise in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Application Development, Cartography and Graphic Design. The RS&GIS drone program, which has been operating since 2013 and routinely collects and processes data from over a hundred missions per year, boasts 4 certified remote pilots, three of which are certified GIS professionals. Housed in the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University, RS&GIS is in a unique position to access the University's technical, innovative, and human resources, while maintaining a competitive research and service-oriented mission.Educational requirements include a Ph.D. in Geography or a Ph.D. in another field with a strong focus on utilizing geospatial technologies as the primary analysis technique.Equal Employment Opportunity StatementAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.Required DegreeDoctorate -Geography or Geospatial TechnologiesMinimum RequirementsA Ph.D. in Geography or a related field, including other degrees with a strong geographic emphasis; Experience using geospatial tools and technology, including GIS, remote sensing, cartography, GPS, spatial analysis, and programming; Strong interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills, including proficiency with the English language. These are required as the candidate will