"Assistant Professor, Sustainability, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability"

Job Details

Unit: College of Humanit and Sciences MBU

Department: School of Life Sci & Sustainability

Duties & Responsibilities:

The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for a faculty position in Sustainability beginning August 2026. The successful candidate will develop and teach sustainability-focused courses that support the School’s growing curriculum in the field, with a strong focus on community-engaged learning projects on campus and within the greater metro Richmond area. Teaching interests could include, but are not limited to, the built environment, food systems, pollution and waste, biodiversity, natural resources, environmental justice, and energy.

The faculty member may also serve as coordinator of the Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Innovation, which provides students from diverse majors with interdisciplinary training in sustainability principles and applied problem-solving. The faculty will serve as a liaison between the school and the VCU Office of Sustainability, linking the school’s sustainability academics with broader initiatives on environmental sustainability, governance, and policy across the University.

We seek candidates with demonstrated expertise in sustainability education and an interest in developing innovative, experiential courses that connect environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability by leveraging partnerships with the city's diverse communities and its robust park system. The position also offers access to field and research opportunities at VCU’s Rice Rivers Center, a nationally recognized environmental and ecological field station on the James River.

This is a nine-month, non-tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, renewable based on performance and program needs. VCU is committed to supporting the success of its teaching faculty, who play a vital role in the university’s academic mission, and offers clear pathways for promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor.

Application Instructions

Candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter detailing qualifications, including relevant teaching experience and interests
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of teaching philosophy and approach (2-3 pages)
• List of courses taught in recent years and sample syllabi from 1-2 existing or planned courses.
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Review of applications will begin in mid-November and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by December 15, 2025. Questions should be directed to the search committee chairs, Dr. Linda Fernandez (lmfernandez@vcu.edu) and Dr. Derek Johnson (dmjohnson@vcu.edu).

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses. Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

About the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability

The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability (SLSS) was established in 2025 by bringing together thriving programs in Biology, Environmental Studies, Bioinformatics, Sustainable Innovation, Outdoor Leadership, and Integrative Life Sciences to create a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, education, and discovery. We offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as several minors, badges, and certificates, serving more than 2,400 undergraduates and over 100 graduate students. Our 67 full-time faculty and 16 professional staff are dedicated to innovative teaching, experiential learning, and impactful research that draw from the diverse perspectives within our community. We bring together the life, environmental, and health sciences to prepare students to address complex challenges in our changing world. As our school continues to grow, we are seeking engaged and collaborative colleagues to help shape a bold vision for integrating the life sciences and sustainability. Visit slss.vcu.edu to learn more.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate level
• Understanding of interdisciplinary and experiential approaches to sustainability education
• Demonstrated interest in teaching excellence and student success, including the use of active and inclusive learning approaches
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or coordinating academic programs, certificates, or curricula related to sustainability
• Experience mentoring or advising students on applied projects, internships, or capstone experiences
• Record of collaboration across academic or community organizations
• Evidence of innovative teaching that connects sustainability to real-world challenges
• In-depth knowledge of pedagogical best practices and a commitment to continually developing and maintaining this expertise.

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Rank: Assistant Professor

Tenure: Ineligible

Months: 9 months

Contact Information: Contact Name: Linda Fernandez
Contact Email: lmfernandez@vcu.edu