Assistant Professor Geology

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Department of Plant and Earth Science in the College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences is seeking a full-time nine-month tenure track faculty position (100% teaching) at the rank of Assistant Professor to support our Geology/Earth and Environmental Sciences program. The successful candidate will be committed to excellence in undergraduate education within a highly interdisciplinary department and major with expertise in earth materials (e.g. mineralogy petrology and geochemistry) and earth structures (e.g. structural geology and tectonics). The ideal candidate is a broadly trained geoscientist with field and laboratory experience who is passionate about student-centered teaching and mentoring. Experience leading field courses and engaging undergraduate students in research is highly desirable. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching research grants capstone experience supervision and other funding sources.

Planned Appointment Start Date: January 7 2027.

• Develop and teach classes in Bedrock Geology Earth Materials (mineralogy petrology and geochemistry) and Earth Structures & Tectonics.
• Develop innovative student-centered courses and experiences that engage learners; regularly assess and revise curriculum to meet the evolving needs of the Geology/Earth and Environmental Sciences program and create meaningful connections with soil science environmental science chemistry biology engineering and related disciplines.
• Teach general education and introductory courses such as Earth & Environmental Systems Geological Destinies of Nations Environmental Geology Oceanography and other courses as needed by the department.
• Develop and teach upper-level elective courses aligned with the candidates expertise and program needs (e.g. planetary geology economic geology or geophysics.
• Organize and lead domestic regional and international field courses typically lasting 7-14 days in collaboration with program faculty.
• Help maintain and oversee the departments rock saw and thin-section preparation laboratory petrographic microscopes and extensive mineral and rock collections used for teaching and research.
• Engage in scholarly activities consistent with university and department expectations including disciplinary research applied scholarship undergraduate research mentoring and the scholarship of teaching and learning; contribute to UWRiver Falls commitment to excellence and leadership in undergraduate research.
• Advise undergraduate students and facilitate independent studies internships capstone projects and other high-impact learning experiences.
• Participate in university service and shared governance at the department college and university levels.
• Contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Geology program within the broader Earth and Environmental Sciences curriculum.
• Actively participate in Geology/Earth & Environmental Sciences program recruitment outreach alumni engagement and donor-supported initiatives.

Plant and Earth Science

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Geology Earth Science or a related field. Applicants who have finished coursework and are still working on degree requirements may be considered for a conditional appointment and must complete their program within one year of the date of employment.

• Field and/or laboratory training and experience in earth materials and structural geology and tectonics as demonstrated through scholarly activities such as professional presentations publications research projects or related academic accomplishments.

• Strong interest and commitment to undergraduate education and teaching; demonstrated desire ability and willingness to develop and improve curriculum courses and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Documented successful undergraduate geoscience teaching teaching assistantships or formal training for teaching in higher education.

• Experience with advising mentoring or supervising undergraduate students.

• Professional or industry experience and/or connections.

• Experience teaching or participating in field courses/camps.

• Experience with rock saws thin-section preparation and other geologic field & lab equipment.

• Strong interest and/or experience in connecting their expertise/field to other disciplines.

Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities. UWRF will not consider paper emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Transcripts

• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

• A two-part statement not to exceed 3 pages describing vision and priorities for teaching and research at a predominantly undergraduate institution

• Names addresses telephone numbers and email addresses of at least three references who can specifically comment upon your teaching ability experience and professional preparation (references)

Inquiries should be addressed to:
Holly Dolliver

Associate Dean and Search Chair

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration applicants should submit all required materials on or before September 4 2026.Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits go to:
must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this please contact Human Resources at .

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

As required by Title IX and federal regulations UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRFs Title IX Coordinator at; the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information please see Background Check and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you your most recent employer and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at call University Police at for a paper copy.

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability contact or .

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak write listen challenge and learn pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age pregnancy disability status as a protected veteran or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.