Instructor, Geoscience

University of Arkansas System • Fort Smith, AR

5d • $57,500 - $62,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith invites applications for a broadly trained geoscientist with an emphasis on environmental science and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This Instructor or Assistant Professor position will begin August 2026. The successful candidate is expected to: Teach undergraduate level geoscience courses in Geology, GIS, and their field of expertise; be a mentor to Geoscience students and maintain a healthy field and laboratory research agenda that involves the Geoscience undergraduate students; teach introductory lectures and labs like Physical Geology, Earth Science, Physical Geography and World Regional Geography. The Department of Physical Science is an interdisciplinary department that offers undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Geoscience. The Geoscience program is a young program that is gaining national recognition through its culture of student involvement and undergraduate research. UAFS Geoscience students are broadly trained in geosciences and are prepared for a variety of graduate programs and professional careers in geology, GIS, and environmental science. The department has two full-time faculty and seeks a third member who can collaborate, transform, and stimulate the next generation of learners as well as continue to grow the program. The program currently averages 50 majors and maintains a healthy field and laboratory research agenda. Primary responsibilities will be teaching a variety of undergraduate geology, geography, and geoscience courses with associated labs. Other duties will include curriculum development for the Geoscience Degree Program, professional development, service to the department, college, and university, including committee work, student recruitment and advising, and other related duties as required. Experience with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is preferred. The position reports to the Department Head of Physical Sciences.

Requirements

• Minimum qualifications include a Masters (Instructor) or PhD (Assistant Professor) in any field of Geology/Geography/Geoscience.
• Candidates with teaching experience in geology or any other science and evidence of undergraduate research interests are favored.
• Demands of the position require excellent oral and written communication skills; superior people skills; and the ability to utilize instructional technology in the classroom.
• Evidence of these skills and experience in student recruitment, student advising, and curriculum planning is preferred.
• Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for part of these requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Classroom instruction.
• Curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Assessment and evaluation of instruction.
• Research involving undergraduate students.
• Service to the department, college, and university, including committees and curriculum assessments.
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to foster teamwork and by providing leadership to subordinates.
• Requires consistent on-time attendance.
• Attendance and participation in all faculty and administrative meetings, Student Research Symposium, commencement ceremonies, and other meetings/events as required.
• Professional development.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees