Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies/College of Liberal Arts
Job Class Code: 10031
FLSA: Exempt
Posting Number: FRGV2059
Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position:
Tenure Status: Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0
Scope of Job:
We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as an Assistant Professor of the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement beginning in the [contact details available in the full listing] academic year.
The School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement (SIPCE) seeks to fill a fulltime tenure track Assistant Professor position in the area of Environmental Studies beginning September 1, 2027. SIPCE seeks a faculty member whose teaching, research, and community engagement addresses the complex relationships between humans and technical and ecological systems.
The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of the Environmental Studies program while strengthening SIPCE's capacity for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching, research, and community-engaged scholarship. The position is particularly suited to a scholar interested in examining complex environmental challenges through approaches that integrate the social sciences, humanities, environmental sciences, policy, and/or other relevant fields.
The faculty member will be expected to develop and maintain an active program of scholarship addressing the human dimensions of environmental change. Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to sustainability; environmental and climate justice; environmental governance and policy; Food-Energy-Water systems; climate adaptation; water and energy transitions; environmental health and wellbeing; sustainable development; infrastructure; disaster vulnerability and resilience; political ecology; environmental migration; community resilience; and just and sustainable transitions.
The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses in Environmental Studies and may contribute to graduate education and other interdisciplinary programs within SIPCE and across UTRGV. Teaching responsibilities will include introductory and upper-division Environmental Studies courses, courses within the candidate's area of specialization, and experiential or community-engaged learning opportunities. The successful candidate will also mentor students in research, internships, applied projects, and other high-impact educational experiences.
The position is expected to contribute to the growth of SIPCE's research portfolio through peer-reviewed scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, external funding, and the development of research partnerships within and beyond the University. The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty across UTRGV and to participate in initiatives addressing environmental sustainability, resilience, and community engagement.
Of particular importance is the opportunity to connect Environmental Studies with initiatives such as the Gulf Scholars Program and the Center for Community Resilience Research, Innovation and Advocacy (CCRRIA). The successful candidate will be expected to recognize the Rio Grande Valley and the broader Gulf region as important sites of knowledge production. In addition to teaching and research, the faculty member will participate in appropriate service to the Environmental Studies program, SIPCE, the University, the profession, and surrounding communities.
About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.
Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.
UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.
Department/CollegeBackgroundThe School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement (SIPCE) within the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provides an academic home for interdisciplinary programs that address complex social, cultural, environmental, and organizational challenges through innovative teaching, research, and community engagement. SIPCE brings together programs including Environmental Studies, Public Heritage, Medical and Health Humanities, Human Dimensions of Organizations, and Multidisciplinary Studies, creating opportunities for collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Central to the School's mission is the integration of academic knowledge with experiential learning, community partnerships, and applied research that responds to the distinctive needs and opportunities of the Rio Grande Valley region. SIPCE seeks to strengthen its role as a hub for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarship, student-centered education, and community-engaged research, fostering collaborations among faculty, students, community organizations, governmental and nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Social Science, Human Ecology, Sustainability Studies, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Environmental Policy, Political Science, Urban or Regional Planning, Environmental Humanities, or a closely related interdisciplinary field. Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered, provided that all requirements for the doctoral degree are completed and the degree is officially conferred prior to September 1, 2027. Candidates must demonstrate preparation to teach undergraduate courses in Environmental Studies and courses related to their area of specialization, as well as evidence of, or clear potential for, an active program of scholarly research addressing the human dimensions of environmental or sustainability challenges. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary academic environment and a commitment to student mentorship and success. The successful candidate should have the capacity to contribute to the teaching, research, service, and community-engagement mission of the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualification:
Preference will be given to candidates whose teaching and research demonstrate a strong engagement with environmental policy, governance, and decision-making, particularly as they relate to complex transboundary environmental and sustainability challenges. The most competitive candidates will demonstrate several of the following qualifications:
- Experience with community-engaged scholarship, participatory research, knowledge co-production, or collaborative approaches involving community organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, or other stakeholders.