Academic Professional Track (Non-Tenure): Assistant Professor of the Practice

The Maritime Transportation Department (MART) in the College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies at Texas A&M University located on the Galveston Campus invites applications for one full-time, non-tenure track position with a 9-month academic appointment beginning Fall 2025. Applicants will be considered for the faculty title of Assistant Professor of the Practice in marine transportation, navigation, seamanship, and lifesaving courses. This position also offers the opportunity to participate in our summer sea term aboard our maritime academy training vessel. This is a separate 3-month summer academic appointment to provide hands-on training aboard the training vessel. 

The successful candidates will enhance the quality of undergraduate and graduate license option education by teaching STCW (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping), U. S. Coast Guard courses which are required of Deck license option students. The successful candidates will also be responsible for carrying out scholarly activities and assuming a share of departmental and institutional service activities. In addition, this position may participate in ZOPT 100 - 401 / Corps Activity for Deck students as well as serve on multiple departmental/campus service committees. The new Assistant Professor of the Practice will integrate both academic and ship operations to maintain licensing and educational requirements. This position also supports the MART Department by teaching/participating in MART 200, 300, and 400 during the summer sea terms on board a maritime academy training vessel. Additional compensation is provided during the summer sea terms. This position is ideal for an experienced licensed merchant marine deck officer who has academic credentials and background in the shoreside marine transportation industry or commercial/military sailing experience.

Texas A&M University at Galveston is the marine and maritime branch campus of Texas A&M University. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees ranging from marine sciences, business, blue humanities, maritime transportation and engineering, the campus serves as a critical contributor to Texas A&M’s land-, sea-, and space-grant mission. Ideally situated in Galveston Bay, the island campus is surrounded by marine life, estuarine and ocean ecosystems, and one of the largest maritime industrial hubs in the world, allowing Galveston Aggies to live, learn and work in the heart of the industries they will soon serve. The campus drives the development of the blue economy on the Gulf Coast through education, innovation, scholarship and research.

Home to the Texas A&M College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies (marine.tamu.edu), students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in marine sciences, business, blue humanities, marine engineering and maritime transportation. Students may also pursue select Galveston-specific Texas A&M College of Engineering degrees, including computer science, ocean engineering and interdisciplinary engineering.

 Texas A&M-Galveston is home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the U.S. and the only one embedded within a Tier I research institution. Offering hands-on training to over 400 cadets annually, the academy prepares students to earn a U.S. Coast Guard License and serve as maritime professionals, afloat and ashore, or enter military service upon graduation.

Ideally situated in Galveston Bay, the island campus is surrounded by marine life, estuarine and ocean ecosystems, and one of the largest maritime industrial hubs in the world, allowing Galveston Aggies to live, learn and work in the heart of the industries they will soon serve. Whether their careers take them shoreside or on the water, Aggies are ready for anything above, on and below the waves.

Texas A&M-Galveston is committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff, which is vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values.

Required Qualifications

• To qualify for Assistant Professor of the Practice, Marine Transportation candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Marine Transportation or a related field.

Examples of related fields include but are not limited to: Safety of Life at Sea, Terrestrial and/or Celestial navigation, Firefighting (Marine), Ship Structure & Stability Marine Cargo Operations, Meteorology, RADAR/Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA), Electronic Navigation, Seamanship, or Maritime Communication.

• Applicants must have a current (not expired) U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited Deck License (or equivalent credential) valid for service on United States Flag Commercial Ships and a valid credential issued under the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) as amended.
  
  
• Candidates must have five (5) or more years in a Deck Officer position.
  
  
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) STCW endorsed for Global Maritime Distress and Safety (GMDSS) operator is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Traditional teaching experience at a USCG recognized maritime training provider, or simulation based teaching experience at a USCG recognized simulator training facility/institution or, STCW endorsed for maritime Medical Person In Charge, or STCW endorsed for Proficiency in fast rescue boats is highly desirable.
  
  
• A U.S. Coast Guard Chief Mate, Unlimited Tonnage, or Master license is preferred.
  
  
• A Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Business, Transportation Management, Transportation and Logistics or a related field is preferred.

Applications are submitted only online: http://apply.interfolio.com/167373. Applications must include electronic PDF copies of: 1) cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a personal statement to include philosophy and plans for teaching and service, and 4) names and contact information for three professional references.

Questions or inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr./CAPT Ryan Vechan at rvechan@tamug.edu.  Review of applications will begin June 16, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.