Visiting Assistant Professor (Sedimentary Geology, Paleobiology, Sedimentary Geochemistry) - Full Time

Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences

Gustavus Adolphus College invites applications for a full-time, three-year position of Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences to begin August 15, 2026.

Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States. Gustavus will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position. Gustavus is not an e-verify institution.

Employment Type: Full-Time (0.85 FTE), Benefits-Eligible; Exempt (Salaried); In-Person Instruction

Position Overview

• Teach 6 course sections over the academic year. Typically, 3 in the Fall and 3 in the Spring. Primary teaching responsibilities may include introductory geoscience/ environmental geoscience, historical geology, sedimentary geology, paleontology, and courses in the candidate's area of expertise.
• Help cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We strive to foster an environment where people can be themselves, build community, learn, and grow.

Why Teach at Gustavus?

• Elevate your teaching. Take advantage of opportunities to join a teaching circle, participate in workshops, apply for an internal teaching development grant, and engage in conversations about teaching with colleagues across campus.
• Advance your scholarship by working with undergraduate research assistants, joining a writing retreat, applying for an internal grant, receiving travel funds to present at conferences, receiving help applying for external grants, and making use of our research facilities.
• Develop professional skills by participating in faculty meetings and committees, attending faculty development days, and taking advantage of the College's membership to the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD).
• Be a part of our community. We offer free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities.

Prerequisites

What We're Looking For

• PhD in in geology or a related field (we will consider candidates who are ABD and will complete their degree by September 2026)
• Ability to teach courses in historical geology, paleontology, and introductory geosciences
• Enthusiasm for teaching students in a liberal arts environment

What's Preferred

• Evidence of effectiveness in teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate students
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities
• Prior experience teaching undergraduate courses
• Ability to teach courses in sedimentary geology and environmental geochemistry
• Ability to plan and lead field trips for courses
• Ability to engage undergraduate students in research

How to Apply

To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ and complete the online application. The documents that must be uploaded include the following:

• Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• A brief (one page) statement of teaching philosophy
• A brief (one page) statement of research interests
• Transcripts (scanned copies acceptable)
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks by phone.

For full consideration, applications must be received by June 9, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. At this time, please only upload the required documents listed above; finalists may be asked to submit additional materials as needed. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

What We Offer

Based on data from AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and CUPA (College and University Professional Association), we offer a competitive starting salary range of $46,325 to $51,000 for a 9-month academic year. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience, training, certifications/licensure, market factors, departmental budgets, and responsibility. In addition, Gustavus provides comprehensive benefits designed to support your personal and financial well-being, including:

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Access to mental health apps
• Onsite health services
• Paid parental leave (after one year of employment)
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse

Institution Information

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation's leading private liberal arts colleges serving 1,800 students, where faculty help equip students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota, and within a short drive to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Mankato metro areas. Learn more at https://gustavus.edu/about/administrative-offices/provost/prospective-faculty-provost.

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Department Information

The Department of Environment, Geography, and Earth Sciences (EGE) is a transdisciplinary community of learners engaged with the challenges of living on a changing planet Earth. EGE brings together the traditional disciplines of Geography and Geology with the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Studies into a single, interdisciplinary department that seeks to understand our planetary home from a variety of perspectives. Students in the department may seek majors/minors in Environmental Studies (ENV), Geography (GEG), or Geology (GEO), and EGE faculty may be fully or jointly appointed in the department. For more information, see the department website: https://gustavus.edu/ege/.

NOTE: Candidates will not be compensated for materials prepared as part of the interview process, and the College will not retain the materials for its own use.