Description
Chapman University invites applications for an Associate or Full
Professor of Environmental Science & Policy and Program
Director in the Schmid College of Science and Technology starting
August 2027. This is a full-time, tenured position that requires
work to be performed in the State of California with specific
in-person teaching responsibilities and required on-campus
availability at Chapman’s Orange campus.
Chapman University is a nationally ranked R2 institution offering
traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of
Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and
vibrant regions. Our faculty are academic leaders who excel in both
research and teaching. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized
education, we create an environment for unlimited achievement by
both our students and faculty. More information about Chapman
University is available at
www.chapman.edu.
The Environmental Science & Policy Program is uniquely seated
within two colleges at Chapman University: the Schmid College of
Science and Technology and the Wilkinson College of Arts,
Humanities, and Social Sciences. Schmid and Wilkinson Colleges
embody Chapman’s mission of providing students with personalized
educational experiences by fostering an outstanding community of
teacher-scholars across a broad range of undergraduate and graduate
programs. Schmid College has a new 140,000 sq ft home, the Keck
Center for Science and Engineering. More information about Schmid
and Wilkinson Colleges is available at
www.chapman.edu/science
and
www.chapman.edu/wilkinson
, respectively.
The undergraduate-only serving Environmental Science & Policy
Program is home to a diverse group of faculty with
interdisciplinary specializations across the breadth of
environmental sciences (ecology, engineering, hydrology, remote
sensing) and environmental studies (anthropology, environmental
justice, natural resource governance, political science,
sociology). The program serves the interdisciplinary Environmental
Science & Policy B.S. degree, the Environmental Science minor,
and the Environmental Studies minor.
We seek candidates with an active research program in areas
including but not limited to:
- Environmental health
- Environmental toxicology
- Water, soil, and/or air quality
- Environmental contaminants
- Natural resource governance
We value candidates who can identify avenues for collaboration both
within and outside of the institution.
Faculty Role Responsibilities
The successful candidate will teach lower- and upper-level courses
that contribute to the major and minors within the Environmental
Science & Policy Program, maintain an active research program,
and advise/mentor undergraduate research students. Significant
scholarship, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals,
presenting at relevant research conferences, and obtaining and
managing extramural grants is an expectation of the position.
Required responsibilities include:
- Teach lower- and upper-division Environmental Science &
Policy courses, including core and elective courses. Current course
descriptions are available at https://catalog.chapman.edu
.
Continue a research program in interdisciplinary environmental
sciences, including publishing papers and presenting work in this
area at local and national conferences.
Actively contribute as an integral member of the Schmid College
of Science and Technology in the ongoing development,
implementation, and assessment of their academic and degree
programs.
Perform service to the unit, college, university, profession,
and wider community as expected of a tenured faculty member.
Program Director Responsibilities
The successful candidate will lead the Environmental Science &
Policy faculty and degree program as Program Director for a minimum
of three years in an at-will, compensated appointment separate from
their faculty role.
Required responsibilities include:
- Provide leadership, vision, and a voice for affiliated faculty,
students, and degree programs.
- Oversee program budget and advocate on behalf of the program
for resource use.
- Lead curriculum alignment and revisions, assessment reports,
and course scheduling for the program.
- Coordinate and participate in program and college events,
including events for student recruitment and commencement, as
appropriate.
- Assign faculty to courses and hire appropriate part-time
lecturers where needed.
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between Schmid and
Wilkinson Colleges pertaining to the support of this
interdisciplinary program.
Qualifications
- An earned Ph.D. in one of the environmental sciences (e.g.,
Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science & Management) or
related field by the start of employment from an accredited
institution.
- Earned tenure at the current institution of employment or
equivalent.
- A strong history of interdisciplinary environmental science
research, including evidence of an independent, nationally
recognized, externally funded research program.
- Evidence of effective teaching at the undergraduate level,
particularly in experiential learning courses, such as a senior
capstone course, or upper division coursework.
- Experience in curriculum development and learning outcome
assessment.
- Experience in leadership or administrative roles in academic
service settings, such as college governance, curriculum, or
assessment committees, ideally connected to interdisciplinary
endeavors .
Application Instructions
Qualified candidates should submit the following electronically via
Interfolio:
- Cover letter detailing qualifications related to the position
description.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Statement of teaching philosophy that includes a brief
description of past teaching experience, no more than two
pages.
- Research Statement that details current and future
environmental science research, no more than two pages.
- Statement of leadership philosophy that includes a brief
description of administrative and leadership experiences as they
relate to Program Director-level service, no more than one
page.
- Contact information for three professional references. Letters
will be requested from short-listed candidates.
Inquiries may be directed to Richelle Tanner, Search Committee
Chair, at schmidcollege@chapman.edu. Please use “Environmental
Science & Policy Faculty Position” as the email subject
line.
Application review will begin October 11, 2026, and will continue
until the position is filled. This position is subject to final
budget approval. Salary range for this position is $105,000 -
$125,000. Successful completion of a background check is required
for the final candidate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides
equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of
their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and
employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national
origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental
disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital
status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic
protected by state or federal law.