"Assistant Professor of Environmental Science"

UNC Overview

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.

UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed.

Department: Environmental Science

Months per Year: 9 months

Position Summary

The Department of Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina Asheville, a public liberal arts and sciences university, seeks qualified applicants with expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 2026. Preference will be given to candidates with experience or background in both Environmental Management and Policy. The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science or related discipline prior to July 1, 2026 and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester (typically three or four classes); establish their scholarly activities that involve undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community, and the profession. The department is particularly interested in individuals with expertise to teach courses and conduct research in environmental policy, resource conservation and management, environmental sustainability, energy and climate, and/or public lands management. The successful candidate will also teach courses in geospatial technologies. Individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan to establish an active research program that involves mentoring students are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the core curriculum and engage in departmental and university-level service.

UNC Asheville values interdisciplinary perspectives, often incorporated in teaching within the core curriculum. Multidisciplinary perspectives are welcomed, as is pedagogical collaboration with colleagues from across the campus. UNC Asheville has also been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 67% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference to be sent separately that address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin February 15 and continue until the position is filled. Inquires may be directed to Dr. David Gillette, Chair of Environmental Science (dgillett@unca.edu).

Minimum Education/Experience/Skill

A Ph.D. in Environmental Science or related field with expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy earned prior to July 1, 2026 is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, a concrete research agenda that includes the mentoring of undergraduate students, a desire to contribute to general education requirements, and have interests in interdisciplinary work across the university.