Distinguished Professor Marine Science

Distinguished Professor Marine Science

College: College of Science and Engineering - 323 College

Dept/School: CSE Dean's Office - 32300

Vacancy Number: 16F-758

Position Number: 684

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

The College of Science and Engineering and the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for the position of William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professorship in Marine Science. This is a standard nine-month, full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Professor with Tenure, beginning in August 2026.

Candidates who have established outstanding research programs in any area of marine science are encouraged to apply. In addition, the individual will take an active role in departmental teaching and service. The Distinguished Professorship will be housed in one of the following departments in the College: a) Biology & Marine Biology, b) Chemistry & Biochemistry, c) Earth & Ocean Sciences, and d) Physics & Physical Oceanography.

Preference will be given to applicants who have achieved international prominence in their field with an excellent record of publication, extramural funding, graduate mentorship and other scholarly activities, and who are likely to maintain a high level of productivity for another decade or more. The position will be filled at the Full Professor rank; individuals with exceptional records of achievement meeting the expectations of a full professor are encouraged to apply.

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Marine Science or associated area of science
• Currently employed at the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure or above, or equivalent industry/government experience
• Demonstrated eligibility for the rank of Professor with Tenure at UNCW

• International prominence in their field
• Excellent record of publication
• Sustained extramural funding
• Strong graduate mentorship
• Significant scholarly activities
• Likely to maintain a high level of productivity for another decade or more

No Required Certifications or Licensure

This position will be housed in one of the 4 marine science departments within the College of Science and Engineering depending on the background of the successful candidate. The four eligible departments are:
Biology & Marine Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences, or Physics & Physical Oceanography.

Excellent support for research is provided in unique departmental facilities on campus as well as resources at the Center for Marine Science (CMS). Resources include: DNA sequencing facility, mass spectrometry and NMR facilities, nutrient analysis lab, high performance computing cluster, running seawater systems and wet labs, a marine operations facility that includes six shops (dive, oceanographic instrumentation with a 7,000 gallon seawater test tank, machine shop/makerspace, aquaculture, and boat repair), a dock and fleet of research vessels ranging in size from 13 ft.

to our newly commissioned 73 ft. vessel to facilitate aquatic research activities. The Marine Biotechnology Center, Algal Resources Collection, and Shellfish Research Hatchery are co-located with CMS and support additional interdisciplinary research opportunities.

CSE departments have an excellent record of faculty development and mentorship and are committed to assisting new faculty to succeed. In the pursuit of excellence, our departments actively foster, encourage, and promote inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics.

To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering;

and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic…