"Adjunct Professor, Earth System Science"

Adjunct Professor, Earth System Science (ESS) 280, Fundamentals of Hydrology

Fall 2024

The Environmental Studies Program of Lewis & Clark College seeks an individual to teach ESS 280, Fundamentals of Hydrology, during Fall semester 2024, which runs from September 3 to December 18.

ESS 280 is a lecture and laboratory course whose focus is on conveying basic hydrologic principles and applying them quantitatively (see Catalog description copied at the bottom of this advertisement). The course prerequisites are minimal, and familiarity with calculus cannot be assumed. The course serves primarily Environmental Studies majors and Earth System Science minors; there is no Earth System Science or geoscience major at Lewis & Clark College. The emphasis in the laboratory component of the course can be shaped by the instructor’s preferences and expertise. Issues of watershed hydrology, hydrologic impacts of urbanization, and hydrologic restoration could be pursued through a focus on Tryon Creek watershed, which borders the Lewis & Clark College campus. Tryon Creek State Park, 0.5 miles from campus, represents a readily-accessible field site for such foci.

The course meets for 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory each week, plus one day-long field trip on a weekend. Enrollment is limited to 24 students but is generally lower (15 are currently registered).

Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college with about 2,000 undergraduates in Portland, OR. The College is committed to preparing students for leadership in an increasingly interdependent world, and affirms the educational benefits of diversity. (See https://www.lclark.edu/about/equity-and-inclusion/) Lewis & Clark College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Course Schedule:

Class dates: Sep. 3 - Dec. 11, 2025

Final exam: Wednesday, Dec 18 (attendance is mandatory)

Lecture: Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4:30 pm

Lab: Fridays, 2-5 pm

No class on Oct 11 (fall break) and Nov 29 (Thanksgiving break)

Applicants must have a PhD or be ABD in a relevant field of Earth science, with experience in surface/hydrologic processes. Prior teaching experience is preferred but not required.

A complete application should include (1) a letter of application which includes a statement of teaching philosophy, past teaching experience, and research interests; (2) a curriculum vitae or resume; and (3) contact information for three references. All materials should be emailed to envs@lclark.edu with subject line “ESS 280 Application.” Review of applications will begin on June 10th, and continue until the position is filled. Feel free to contact Liz Safran (safran@lclark.edu) with questions about the position.

Catalog description: The behavior and movement of water in natural and modified environments. Major components of the hydrologic cycle, including precipitation,interception, evaporation, evapotranspiration, runoff, groundwater. Introduction to river channel behavior, flood hazard calculation, water supply issues. Quantification, through measurements and calculations, of water fluxes through various pathways, with allusion to planning applications. Students should be comfortable with quantitative work and spreadsheet use. Lecture, laboratory, and one daylong field trip.