Assistant Professor of Earth Surface Materials and Systems - Department of Geology

Summary: The Department of Geology at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Earth Surface Materials and Systems to begin Fall 2027. Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in Geoscience or a closely related field. We are an exclusively undergraduate department that values a strong commitment to quality and inclusive teaching. We welcome adaptable candidates who have the capacity to lead a geology curriculum broadly in Earth Surface Materials, Geomorphology, and Hydrogeology. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to an active research program within those disciplines with the promise of successfully obtaining extramural support. The ideal candidate will have research interests that can directly integrate undergraduate students, with preference given to those with the potential to develop research within the Great Lakes region (e.g., surface water dynamics, glacial geomorphology, coastal processes, watershed hydrology, or groundwater). We also seek candidates focused on innovative modeling, field-based, or applied approaches and an interest in building notable external partnerships and/or interdisciplinary collaborations. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Salary/Benefits: Minimum starting salary: $76,500, commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver, effective on date of hire.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Ph.D. in the Geosciences or a closely related field.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching and active research in an undergraduate department.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.
• Active research program broadly within the disciplines of Earth Surface Materials, Geomorphology, and/or Hydrogeology.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Proven teaching experience at the college/university level. 
• History of extramural research support.  

Responsibilities:

Tenure-track faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are typically hired on nine-month contracts, with a nine-credit hour teaching load per semester. They are also expected to engage in scholarly activity, service, and a significant focus, which is equivalent to three credit hours of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarly activity, and/or service depending on the successful candidate's interests and the department’s needs.

Department: Faculty in the Department of Geology are scholar-teachers and leaders in disciplines as diverse as 1) geochemistry and hydrogeology; 2) geoscience education; 3) sedimentology, paleoclimate and climate science; and 4) geophysics, geodynamics and tectonic processes. We place an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. The Department of Geology includes nine tenure-track faculty members, two affiliate faculty members, two visiting faculty members and approximately 65 students in our majors (Geology, Geology-Chemistry, Climate Science). We also serve several hundred Integrated Science and Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching majors with a focus on science education, as well as a new and rapidly growing Environmental Science program. The department values high impact teaching, undergraduate research experiences, and collegial faculty-student interactions (see www.gvsu.edu/geology).  

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest and most intellectually diverse college at Grand Valley State University, offering over 50 bachelor’s degree programs, badges, and certificates spanning the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan. GVSU has multiple campuses—the Valley Campus in Allendale, Michigan; the City Campus located in downtown Grand Rapids, which includes the Robert C. Pew and Health campuses; and several regional centers. The University attracts undergraduate and graduate students with its high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovation. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of more than one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. GVSU is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information on Community Resources can be found on the Community Resources page of the GVSU Human Resources website.

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:

• A single document including: a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU, curriculum vitae, and the contact information of three references
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Research statement (This is a summary of research activities, including those involving undergraduate students, and possible facilities/equipment needs.)
• Graduate transcripts (Unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable.)
• Sample of completed or in-progress research activity

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically to the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, email Human Resources at [email protected]. Questions about the position may be directed to search committee chair Associate Professor Ian Winkelstern ([email protected]).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on November 9, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.