Assistant Professor of Economics (Storrs Campus)

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Economics at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Economics.

This position is one of five positions in a cluster hire currently being conducted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning to Understand and Address Natural and Climate-Change Related Disasters. The cluster hire involves one position in each of the following departments: Earth Sciences, Economics, Geography, Journalism, and Statistics. Faculty hired as part of the cluster will have opportunities to collaborate within and across departments in the cluster, as well as opportunities for connections to other research-intensive centers and institutes across the University.

This hiring initiative builds on the investment of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in research, teaching, and outreach focused on artificial intelligence/machine learning and environmental problems.

The Economics Department currently consists of 27 tenured and tenure-track faculty with records of scholarship and publications in top disciplinary journals in a range of areas of economics (for more information see: https://econ.uconn.edu). The Department’s graduate program confers both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees, with about 60 active students. The undergraduate program is one of the largest in the College, with nearly 1100 majors.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidates will exhibit a genuine, demonstrated interest in scholarship on the use of artificial intelligence/machine learning to understand and address natural and/or climate-related disasters. Candidates are expected to contribute to research and scholarship through high-quality publications in top-tier venues, externally funded research, and mentoring of graduate students. In the area of teaching, the successful candidate will share a deep commitment to effective instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Successful candidates will highlight a commitment to equity and be expected to: broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through their research, teaching, and/or public engagement multiple perspectives as the foundation of a rich learning experience; integrate diverse experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and/or provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse populations and intellectual interests.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

– Doctoral degree (or equivalent foreign degree) completed in Economics or another related field by position start date.
– Teaching experience or demonstrated capacity to teach courses with documentation of a commitment to teaching.
– A strong record of scholarly productivity on the use of AI/ML to evaluate and predict economic costs associated with natural and climate-induced hazards, and human behavior that impacts those costs.
– The ability to contribute through research, teaching, and/or public engagement to the diversity and excellence of the Department and College.
– Effective communication skills (both written and oral).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

– Demonstrated history of or potential for external research funding.
– Experience teaching courses relevant to artificial intelligence/machine learning and/or climate change.
– Demonstrated experience and commitment to teaching and/or mentoring a diverse student population.
– Ability to engage productively with faculty across disciplines.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The cluster hire positions are full-time, 9-month, tenure track positions with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2024. The successful candidates’ academic appointments will be at the Storrs campus. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience as well as disciplinary norms.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://www.aeaweb.org/joe/listing.php?JOE_ID=2023-02_111473052 and submit the following application materials:

A cover letter,
Curriculum vitae,
Research and scholarship statement (e.g., prior research findings and impact; future research plans);
Teaching statement (e.g., teaching experience, mentoring experience, teaching philosophy, courses prepared to teach);
Commitment to diversity statement (e.g., values around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; diversity-related experience in teaching, research, and service; plans to continue to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion);
Job Market Paper,
Three (3) letters of reference

For full consideration for this position within Economics, applications must be received by December 1, 2023. New applications will be accepted and screening will continue until the position is filled.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

These positions will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.