Assistant Professor - Environmental Science

Position Overview
The University of Minnesota Department of Geography, Environment and Society invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Environmental Science to begin in the Fall 2026 semester. We seek a scholar with a strong publication record appropriate to rank, expertise in quantitative data analysis and/or modeling of space-time processes in bio/physical environments, and a research focus in Latin America.

Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research, to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute service to the department, college, and profession. Tenure-track assistant professors teach four semester-length courses per academic year across undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Geography, Environment and Society are available at
https://faculty.umn.edu/sites/faculty.umn.edu/files/2023-12/Geography%2C%20Environment%2 C%20and%20Society%207.12%20Statement%202023.pdf
The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are available at https://z.umn.edu/CLAFacultyWorkloadPrinciplesGuidelines

Required Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent degree in Geography or closely related discipline at the time of appointment (August 2026).
• Scholarly expertise in leveraging observational and climate model data toward improved understanding of climate variability, climate dynamics, climate prediction and extreme climate events in Latin America.
• A competitive academic record appropriate for the candidate's career stage, including a clear record of peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals, a growing scholarly reputation, and a clear vision for developing a successful research program in the new position.
• Potential for securing research grants as appropriate to the research program. * Capacity to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD in Geography.
• Regional expertise in Central America.
• A track record of effective productivity in stakeholder and/or community-engaged research in the space of climate services.
• Prior experience in other areas of bio/physical geography currently represented in the department, including development and interpretation of tree-ring data and application of remote sensing techniques for environmental science.
• Professional training and capacity to instruct undergraduate and graduate courses in meteorology, climatology, numerical data analysis, computer programming for environmental science, and/or data visualization.
  

Geography, Environment and Society at the University of Minnesota is a leading comprehensive Geography program comprising 21 research and teaching faculty serving 50 graduate students and teaching over 4000 undergraduate students each year. The department has a world-class reputation for cutting-edge research across the breadth of geographical inquiry. More on the Department of Geography, Environment & Society and its programs can be found at https://cla.umn.edu/geography.

About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social science and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1200 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 14,000 undergraduate students, half of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, and over 1,600 graduate students and has an annual all-funds budget of over $250 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Pay Range: $85,000 - $125,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage with exciting programs across the university, including the Institute on the Environment (IonE), the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP), and the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL).

Applicants should submit a cover letter that clearly articulates their fit with the job description, a CV, and the name of three references who will be contacted if the applicant advances through the application process.

Required documents

• Curriculum vitae that includes brief statements of the applicant's contribution to publications that include more than one author.
• An expanded cover letter that articulates the applicant's fit with the job description and the applicant's current and anticipated research agenda. The cover letter must not exceed two pages and should be addressed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Katherine Klink.
• Contact information for three references, from whom letters may be solicited at a later date.
  

Priority application consideration date: March 1, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

For questions about the application process, please contact the department administrator, Colleen Hennen, at 612-625-6080. For questions about the position, contact search committee chair Dr. Katherine Klink at klink@umn.edu.

State law requires a good faith estimate of the salary range for all advertised positions. The range for this position is $85,000 to $125,000, depending on discipline, experience and other considerations. Faculty positions also include significant start-up funds, as well as retirement, health and other benefits.

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).