Assistant​/Associate Professor of Critical Mineral Geology

Job Summary

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Science, at the University of Texas at Arlington, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Critical Mineral Geology. We will also consider exceptional candidates at the rank of Associate Professor. While candidates from all sub-disciplines of geoscience are encouraged to apply, we are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in understanding the formation mechanisms as well as the petrological and geochemical attributes of sustainable critical mineral resources.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to teach advanced field-based geology and establish an active research program in petrologic, geochemical, and mineralogical characterization. We especially welcome candidates who incorporate modern quantitative frameworks—such as transport and reactive transport modeling, thermodynamic modeling, or data-driven exploration—into sustainable critical mineral research. Our research infrastructure features exceptional analytical capabilities, including the Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies (housing the Center for Environmental, Forensics, and Material Science) equipped with XRD, XRF, ICP
-MS, and EPMA and a departmental ultra clean laboratory. Additional advanced characterization facilities, including the Characterization Center for Materials and Biology, offer access to SEM, TEM, FT-IR spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Geosciences or a closely related field. Candidates will be evaluated based on their research achievements, teaching effectiveness, and professional service, in accordance with University of Texas at Arlington standards.

Candidates must demonstrate clear potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program in critical mineral geology, supported by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications. The ideal candidate will show a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and M.S. and Ph.D. students mentoring. Postdoctoral or equivalent professional experience is strongly preferred.

Candidates must possess an established track record of research excellence and national visibility in the discipline. Requirements include a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications, a proven history of securing competitive external grant funding (e.g., NSF, DOE, USGS, or industry partners), and documented excellence in university-level teaching. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of guiding M.S. and Ph.D. students through to graduation and active participation in university and professional service.

• Postdoctoral research, national laboratory, or relevant industry experience (strongly preferred for Assistant Professor applicants).
• Demonstrated expertise in combining field geology, laboratory analysis, and data-driven techniques (such as computational modeling or artificial intelligence) to study sustainable critical mineral systems.
• A track record of, or strong potential for, securing external research funding from diverse sources, including federal agencies (e.g., NSF, DOE, USGS) and industry partners.
• Proven ability to build interdisciplinary research collaborations spanning geosciences, environmental science, materials science, chemistry, or engineering.
• Experience designing field- or laboratory-based courses that support the Geology curriculum and create synergies with the Environmental Science degree program.
• For Associate Professor rank, demonstrated leadership in building collaborative research centers, managing multi-investigator grants, or mentoring early-career faculty.