Assistant 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.

Performance Objectives

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.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• 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.

Desired:

• 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.

Additional Information

Ohio State offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application via Workday https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Professor-of-Teaching_R159329-1

Application period closes October 30, 2026. Application materials submitted in Workday must include:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1–2-page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research training, teaching and mentoring experience, and service.
• Attachment 3: Teaching Statement: A statement of your teaching approaches, experience, and philosophy.
• Attachment 4: Relevant teaching evaluations (qualitative and/or quantitative).
• Attachment 5: Names and contact information for three references.

We will solicit letters of reference for shortlisted candidates.

Application period closes October 30, 2026.

Additional Information

The College

The College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university, with more than 80 majors and 100 minors. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success.

Department Information

The Department of Geography, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, recently celebrated its 100th birthday and is among the largest geography departments in the country. Our 25 full-time faculty and eight staff members manage a graduate program with some 50 students and an undergraduate program with 450 majors. We are known nationally and internationally as a leader in GIS, spatial analysis, social and environmental geography, atmospheric sciences, and meteorology. Our faculty include members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academies of Science. We are the #4 ranked Geography department in the U.S. in the newest Shanghai Academic Subjects Index (2025).

The now three-year-old MGIST is housed within Geography. Enrollment in the degree is growing rapidly; there are currently 35 students enrolled in the degree.

Four objectives guide our day-to-day work as a department:

• We are committed to extending and deepening our longstanding identity as a top-tier research unit by supporting our faculty's grant-writing, fieldwork, lab work, and research-dissemination activities.
• We are deeply committed to providing our undergraduate majors with a rigorous and inspiring education, as evidenced by our ongoing curricular renovation and our routine investments in undergraduate research opportunities.
• We are dedicated to preparing our graduate students for professional success, whether in academia or in the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
• We champion a collegial workplace that students, faculty, and staff can be proud to call their professional home.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America's leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University's Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. Ohio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio's capital city, Ohio State's Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.

Location: Derby Hall (0025)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidate's employer's policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidate's appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

About The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University, one of the biggest and most comprehensive universities in the country, creates experiences that bring together expertise, ideas and resources to improve communities locally and globally.

Ohio State is regularly honored as one of the nation's top 20 public universities. With campuses and research centers throughout the state, the institution's unrivaled depth and breadth advance innovation, health care and research within Ohio's communities. For more than 150 years, Ohio State has inspired the next generation of leaders, discovering groundbreaking medical breakthroughs and finding solutions to the problems the world is facing now.

Ohio State also has a top-rated academic medical center and a premier cancer hospital and research center.

Ohio State offers more than 200 majors and programs — plus 500 specializations — for undergraduates, in addition to more than 230 master's, doctoral and professional degree programs and an estimated 12,000 course offerings.