Assistant Professor of Teaching

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Geography at The Ohio State University invites applications for an assistant professor of teaching position in support of our growing online and in-person Master’s in Geographic Information Science and Technology (MGIST). This is a five-year non-tenure track academic appointment with an expectation of renewal based on satisfactory performance. The position is subject to annual merit pay increases as well as promotion to associate professor of teaching and professor of teaching. The university provides a clear pathway for professional advancement for its teaching faculty and their home departments through its non-tenure track promotion process. This position supports and advances Ohio State’s MGIST program—an online and in-person master’s degree designed for working professionals who wish to deepen their expertise in geographic information science and technology and further their careers in the rapidly growing field of geospatial science. The program’s flexible format enables students to complete coursework on their own schedule while engaging with cutting-edge topics in GIS and spatial science. In addition to supporting the MGIST, this position may also contribute to the department’s in-person undergraduate and graduate offerings in GIS. The successful candidate will teach 7–8 courses per academic year. Depending on departmental needs and the candidate’s background and interests, these courses may cover areas such as GIS foundations, cartography, remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling, spatial databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence in GIS, software development and project management, and ethics and professionalism. Applicants may want to consult Ohio State’s AI Fluency initiative to better understand how AI is being used across campus. The successful candidate must be comfortable designing and delivering rigorous and engaging course content in a mostly asynchronous online format and producing high-quality online instructional materials. Applicants should note that the MGIST serves a distinct student population of working professionals who are seeking graduate-level qualifications to advance their careers and who are very likely to return to professional practice. Our students bring substantial workplace experience, expect immediately applicable training, and value flexible, practice-oriented, and professionally relevant instruction. Beyond teaching, the successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development and program assessment for GIS courses and may support recruitment as well as student mentoring in the MGIST program. The successful candidate will also be expected to serve on department committees and undertake other service activities in support of the MGIST. We are hoping to hire for an Autumn 2027 start, although a Spring 2027 start date is also possible.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science (GIS), Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Geosciences, Environmental Science, or a closely related field by the start date of employment.
Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching.
Strong proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to student success, engagement, and support.
Ability to effectively work with and mentor diverse student populations.
Commitment to delivering high-quality instruction in both online and in-person learning environments.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to students with varying levels of experience and professional backgrounds.
Demonstrated ability to contribute positively to a collaborative academic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching in an online learning environment.
Experience designing and delivering courses in a primarily asynchronous online format.
Demonstrated ability to develop high-quality digital instructional materials and online learning content.
Experience utilizing educational technologies and learning management systems to support student engagement and learning outcomes.
Ability to create accessible, engaging, and professionally relevant online learning experiences for diverse student populations.
Relevant professional or industry experience in geospatial technologies, GIS, remote sensing, spatial data science, or related fields.
Demonstrated ability to incorporate real-world applications, case studies, and industry best practices into course design and instruction.
Experience connecting academic content to workforce needs and emerging trends in geospatial science and technology.
Ability to bridge theory and practice through applied, career-focused instruction.
Experience collaborating with industry, government, or community partners on geospatial projects and initiatives.
Commitment to continuous innovation in teaching and curriculum development, including the integration of emerging technologies and industry-standard tools.

Responsibilities

Teach 7–8 courses per academic year, potentially covering areas such as GIS foundations, cartography, remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling, spatial databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence in GIS, software development and project management, and ethics and professionalism.
Design and deliver rigorous and engaging course content in a mostly asynchronous online format.
Produce high-quality online instructional materials.
Contribute to curriculum development and program assessment for GIS courses.
Support recruitment and student mentoring in the MGIST program.
Serve on department committees and undertake other service activities in support of the MGIST.