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Multiple Announcements: AGU Town Hall and Tenure-Track Faculty Positions at the University of Oklahoma

Date: 12/02/2020

Dear SCEC Community,

Please see below for the following announcements:

1. AGU Town Hall: TH019 - Decadal Survey Surface Topography and Vegetation Incubation Study
2. 3 Tenure-Track Faculty Positions at the University of Oklahoma- Critical Zone Geoscience, Environmental Geophysics, and Applied Structural Geology/Tectonics

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1. AGU Town Hall: TH019 - Decadal Survey Surface Topography and Vegetation Incubation Study:
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AGU Town Hall: TH019 - Decadal Survey Surface Topography and Vegetation Incubation Study
Thursday, 3 December 2020
07:00 - 08:00 am PST

Agenda:
7:00 Welcome Andrea Donnellan
7:05 NASA HQ Perspective Ben Phillips, Bob Bauer
7:15 Science and Applications Andrea Donnellan
7:30 Technologies David Harding
7:45 Discussion Team and audience
8:00 Adjourn

The 2017 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space, “Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observations from Space,” identified the Surface Topography and Vegetation (STV) targeted observable as an Incubation program element. The Incubation element focuses on investments for priority observation capabilities needing advancement in order to enable a cost-effective observing system implementation. STV will acquire high-resolution, global height measurements, including bare surface land topography, ice topography, vegetation structure, and shallow water bathymetry. These measurements will serve a broad range of science and applications objectives that span solid earth, cryosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere disciplines. An STV Incubation study team, established by NASA, has been developing a Science and Applications Traceability Matrix and identifying investments in studies and technology advancements, providing a roadmap to implementation of STV. Investments in simulations, experiments and data analysis are being considered for recommendation. Technology investments needed in interferometric SAR, lidar and stereo photogrammetry approaches, platform options and system architectures are also being considered. This town hall is an opportunity for the Earth Science community to hear about the actions and progress made by the STV study team and the future plans for the remainder of the study. Ample time will be provided for discussion and community comment, as gathering input from the community is a primary objective of the study team and this town hall. Come share your insights on the value of topography, vegetation structure and bathymetry observations in your work and what innovations are needed to advance scientific studies and applications. Help guide the future direction of STV!

Additional information about the STV Study is available at https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/decadal-stv

Submit questions early to: https://arc.cnf.io/sessions/qkrg/before?session_before_redirect=%2Fsessi...

2. 3 Tenure-Track Faculty Positions at the University of Oklahoma- Critical Zone Geoscience, Environmental Geophysics, and Applied Structural Geology/Tectonics:
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The University of Oklahoma seeks three new colleagues to fill tenure-track Assistant Professor positions within the School of Geosciences in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy to begin in August 2021. Review will start on January 4th, 2021, and continue until these positions are successfully filled. These positions are part of a university-wide strategic shift towards collaborative, convergent research that addresses pressing societal needs. We seek colleagues who will establish innovative, independent, and externally funded research programs; build collaborations within and outside the School; teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds; and work with colleagues and students toward OU’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

1) Critical Zone (CZ) Geoscience: This position will strengthen burgeoning transdisciplinary collaborations across environmental science, policy, and justice by integrating knowledge and expertise from OU’s research strengths in geoscience, meteorology, geography, anthropology, environmental science and engineering, public policy, economics, and community planning focused around key issues that affect how humans live and work sustainably within our ecosystem. Potential areas of research include, but are not limited to: geomorphology, soil science, groundwater/surface water interactions, geobiology, geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, carbon and/or nutrient cycling in soils and the hydrosphere, computational modeling of CZ processes, responses of the CZ to climate change (past, present, or future), and/or isotope geochemistry applied to critical zone processes. We expect this faculty member to teach a general education geoscience course (e.g. Earth, Energy, and the Environment; the Dynamic Earth; Earth Resources and the Environment; or a new course of their design), and upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses within their area of expertise. For more information see the full description at https://apply.interfolio.com/81168, or direct questions to the search committee at ougeosciencesczsearchchair@ou.edu.

2) Environmental Geophysics: This position will promote interdisciplinary, collaborative projects that use systems-based geophysics to study the near-surface and critical zones. We are looking for a broad-minded geophysicist with strong research skills and interdisciplinary interests who uses geophysical methods to solve challenging problems relevant to environmental and energy systems, including global climate change. Potential research areas might combine geophysics with data analytics (statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc.), sedimentary geology, hydrogeology, and/or biogeochemistry to develop new approaches to characterize and monitor the shallow subsurface and the near-surface including soils, sediments, water, air, and life within Earth’s critical zone. This interdisciplinary research is critical to investigate process-response systems, prevent near-surface geohazards, and maintain global sustainability. The faculty member is expected to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses within their areas of expertise, example courses include, but are not limited to Environmental/Applied Geophysics, and Geophysical Field Camp. For more information see the full description at https://apply.interfolio.com/81257, or direct questions to the search committee at ougeophysicssearchchair@ou.edu.

3) Applied Structural Geology/Tectonics: This position will contribute to and expand upon existing interdisciplinary strengths in the department via the study of the 3D architecture and evolution of Earth's surface/crust, associated deformation and deformation processes, and application to practical questions. It supports college initiatives and research priorities in energy geosciences, seismicity, and water. We are looking for a broad-minded colleague whose skills and interests will complement and build upon existing areas of focus within the department. The research area is open but can include topics such as landscape evolution and geologic hazards, the structure and long-term stability of subsurface reservoirs, and tectonics & the carbon cycle. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate in new and existing areas of research in carbon sequestration, geothermal & hydrogen energy resources, and machine learning. The faculty member is expected to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise; example courses include, but are not limited to Applied Structural Geology, Tectonic Geomorphology, Faulted & Fractured Reservoirs, and Tectonics & Climate. For more information see the full description at https://apply.interfolio.com/81256, or direct questions to the search committee at geology@ou.edu.

The School of Geoscience has over a century of history preparing students for impactful careers in basic and applied geoscience. Information about the School of Geosciences’ research and teaching facilities can be found at https://www.ou.edu/mcee/geosciences/Research. Additional resources include the Samuel Roberts Noble Microscopy Laboratory, Bartell Field Camp, Kessler Field Station, and the OU Supercomputing Center for Education and Research.

The University of Oklahoma, located 20 miles south of Oklahoma City in Norman, is the Carnegie- ranked Very High Research Activity [R1] flagship university in the state. Oklahoma is home to 39 tribal nations, each of which has a distinctive culture, history, and government. We acknowledge that the history of the university and the state represents settler colonialism and remains in tension with what we now understand about the lands that were proclaimed “unassigned” and opened for white settlement in 1889. In line with our commitments to diversity, inclusion, access, and equity we strongly encourage applications from candidates who are members of underrepresented or marginalized communities.

To apply, please submit the following materials via ByCommittee using the position-specific links above: 1) a 1-2 page cover letter describing your interests in and qualifications for the position; 2) your current CV including contact information for three potential references; 3) a 1-2 page teaching statement briefly describing your teaching philosophy, teaching interests and potential teaching contributions to the School; 4) a diversity statement describing your knowledge of and/or experience addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the geosciences (1 page); 5) and a 1-2 page research statement describing your research focus, methods, and future trajectory. Please direct questions to the appropriate search committee using the email address above. We will begin reviewing applications January 4th, 2021 and will continue to review applications until the positions are successfully filled.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person’s unique contributions, background and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.