Assistant Professor of Geology

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Whitman College, a liberal arts institution in Walla Walla, WA, seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Department of Geology, beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will have expertise in sedimentology and stratigraphy and hold a Ph.D. by the start of employment. Responsibilities include teaching courses in sedimentology/stratigraphy, introductory geology, general education requirements, and specialized electives such as historical geology, low-temperature geochemistry, sedimentary basin analysis, or climate change topics. The department emphasizes experiential learning, including participation in a twice-yearly Regional Geology field trip. Faculty are expected to teach five courses annually and engage in collaborative research with undergraduate students. Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community and values diverse identities and perspectives. Candidates should address their interest in undergraduate teaching and how their practices will advance equity and inclusion in their cover letter.

Requirements

• Ph.D. at the start of the position.
• Expertise in sedimentology and stratigraphy.
• Demonstrated potential to sustain an active scholarly or creative research agenda.
• Ability to participate in faculty governance, mentorship, or other forms of service.
• Interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non-majors, at all levels of instruction.
• Address how their classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment in the cover letter.
• Submit a cover letter.
• Submit a curriculum vitae.
• Submit separate statements addressing the candidate’s teaching interests and scholarly agenda.
• Provide contact information for three references.
• Submit graduate transcripts.
• Provide evidence of demonstrated or potential excellence in undergraduate instruction.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in teaching combined majors with Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, French, Physics.
• Experience in an Oceanography program offered in collaboration with the University of Washington.

Responsibilities

• Offer courses in sedimentology/stratigraphy.
• Teach introductory geology.
• Provide courses that contribute to the College’s general education requirements.
• Teach additional courses in the candidate’s area of expertise (e.g., historical geology, low-temperature geochemistry, sedimentary basin analysis, or topics in climate change such as paleoclimate archives or sedimentary processes in coastal, marine, or flood settings).
• Participate in the department’s twice-yearly Regional Geology class, a 4-day field trip.
• Sustain an active scholarly or creative research agenda.
• Participate in faculty governance, mentorship, or other forms of service.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• Tuition Remission – Dependent Children, after eligibility requirements
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation stipend for moving expenses based on the distance of relocation
• Generous pre-tenure sabbatical program
• Professional development support for both research and teaching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree