Assistant Professor of Geosciences

Colorado Mesa University•Grand Junction, CO

3d•$64,000 - $68,000

About The Position

Colorado Mesa University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Geosciences specializing in Structural Geology in the Geosciences Program, with a start date of August 2027. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester. The role includes scholarship in the discipline, advising, and service to the university, department, and profession. The successful candidate will teach introductory and upper-division geosciences courses and labs, including upper-level Structural Geology; establish a Structural Geology or related research program that creates meaningful undergraduate research opportunities; and integrate field-based research and geospatial methods into teaching and research. The position also participates in the department’s six-week Geosciences Summer Field Camp, including Structural Geology mapping projects, and contributes to student mentoring and program assessment and improvement. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Geosciences or a closely related discipline by summer 2027, demonstrated Structural Geology expertise, and demonstrated teaching effectiveness. The university particularly welcomes candidates with experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to expanding access and success for underrepresented students in higher education. The salary is $64,000–$68,000, commensurate with education and experience, with a health and retirement benefits package.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Geosciences or a closely related discipline by summer 2027.
Demonstrated expertise in Structural Geology.
Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and creating a positive learning environment.
Enthusiasm for working with and inspiring undergraduate students.
Ability and enthusiasm to supervise undergraduate research that engages students in solving real-world geoscience problems using geological and geospatial methods and meaningful field-based experiences.
Ability to be team-focused, communicate, and work collaboratively and collegially with colleagues.
Enthusiasm for supporting a curriculum integrating field-based, lab-based, and computational approaches to prepare students for careers in industry and academia.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiasm for teaching introductory courses such as Physical Geology, Natural Hazards, Geology of Colorado, and/or Weather and Climate.
Enthusiasm for teaching required upper-level Geophysics lecture and lab courses and/or developing courses related to the candidate’s area of expertise.
Interest in teaching GIS courses, including remote sensing.
Expertise or research interests complementary to Structural Geology in Geophysics, Planetary Geology, Economic Geology, and/or Energy Transition.
Experience applying GIS and/or remote sensing tools in teaching and research.
Research interests that complement or diversify the research of current CMU geosciences faculty and provide meaningful undergraduate research experiences.
Strong background in field-based instruction and research.
Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and demonstrated commitment to improving access and success for underrepresented students in higher education.

Responsibilities

Teach introductory and upper-division geosciences courses and labs for liberal arts and science majors, including upper-level Structural Geology.
Establish a research program in Structural Geology and/or related areas that provides meaningful opportunities for undergraduate geoscience majors and geology minors.
Integrate field-based research experiences and geospatial methods, including GIS and/or remote sensing, into teaching and research.
Participate in the department’s six-week Geosciences Summer Field Camp, including Structural Geology mapping projects.
Advise and mentor undergraduate students.
Participate in ongoing assessments and improvements of the geosciences program and curriculum.
Engage in service to the university, program, department, and profession.