Instructor, Geospatial Data Science

Posting Number FAC00143PO26

Advertised Title Instructor, Geospatial Data Science

Campus Columbia

College/Division College of Arts and Sciences

Department CAS Geography

Advertised Salary Range We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week 40

Position Category Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

Basis 9 months

Work County Richland

Tenure Information Professional Track

Job Search Category Faculty

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort.

In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The Department of Geography in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina invites applications for a full-time, professional-track faculty position at the rank of Instructor, to begin August 16, 2027. The position is a nine-month appointment with a teaching load of 4:4 for the academic year.

The initial appointment is for one year, that may be renewed contingent upon the dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs and the availability of funding. This is intended to be a long-term professional-track faculty position with a clear pathway for promotion through USC’s standard professional-track faculty promotion process.

This position offers a unique opportunity to join an internationally recognized center of excellence in Geographic Information Science as the department leverages new resources to expand its reach and impact. We seek a scholar-teacher in geospatial data science and innovation who will contribute to local and national priorities through excellent teaching, student mentorship, and engagement with our growing GIScience community.

The successful candidate will teach foundational GIScience courses along with advanced offerings that may include, but not limited to, Spatial Programming, WebGIS, Geostatistics, GeoAI, Geospatial Intelligence, and courses in the candidate’s specialization. The successful candidate may also contribute to the development of data-intensive, computational, and interdisciplinary applications of geospatial technologies across USC.

The department is particularly interested in candidates with experience teaching geospatial data science or related topics, curriculum development experience, professional engagement related to teaching and learning, and/or advanced graduate training in these areas. The teaching load is four courses per semester and may include online instruction.

Candidates must also participate in mentoring students and departmental service as appropriate. Additional opportunities for summer instruction may also be available. Candidates must demonstrate prior experience as an instructor of record or teaching assistant.

The Department currently comprises nineteen tenured/tenure-track faculty and one full-time instructor. Faculty research interests span resource politics, environmental hazards, human rights, coastal geomorphology, energy geographies, health, GIS and remote sensing, biogeography, migration, and climate change, with collaborations across the college, university, and beyond.

In addition, the Department faculty lead several institutes and centers including the Hazards, Vulnerability and Resilience Institute (HVRI), Walker Institute of International and Area Studies, and the Center for GIScience and Geospatial Big Data. The Department offers PhD, MS, MA, BS, and BA degrees.

For more information about the Department of Geography, please visit https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/geography.

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Geography, GIScience, Geospatial Analytics, Geo-Informatics, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate courses in GIScience and related areas.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Geography, GIScience, Geospatial Analytics, Geo-Informatics, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate courses in GIScience and related areas.
• The department is particularly interested in candidates with experience teaching geospatial data science or related topics, curriculum development experience, professional engagement related to teaching and learning, and/or advanced graduate training in these areas.

Posting Detail Information

Desired Start Date 08/16/2027

Job Open Date 10/15/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant

Applications must include: (1) a cover letter describing the candidate’s academic and teaching philosophy; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) the names and email addresses of three professional references; and (4) no more than 2 sample syllabi from previously taught courses.

Reference letters will be requested after committee review of candidates. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be directed to Jean Ellis, Search Committee Chair, at jellis@seoe.sc.edu.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled.

This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/214311

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.