Assistant Professor - Sustainable Food: Aquaculture

Assistant Professor – Sustainable Food:
Aquaculture – UMass Boston

The School for the Environment (SFE) at the University of Massachusetts Boston is seeking candidates for a full‑time, tenure‑track Assistant Professor position in Sustainable Food:
Aquaculture to begin September 1, 2026. SFE believes aquaculture can provide sustainable food for urban populations that promote equitable health outcomes. We invite scholars who study how to improve aquaculture and aquatic food systems in the context of technology, regulations, impact assessment (LCA analyses, blue carbon economy, etc.), and/or social dimensions—such as producer behavior, traditional ecological knowledge, and equity—to apply and help advance human and environmental health.

SFE’s mission is to examine the natural world and explore diverse challenges in natural, built, and social environments, as well as the intersections among them. Using transdisciplinary and equity‑informed approaches to drive research, teaching, and action, we expand environmental knowledge and create cutting‑edge solutions to environmental and social problems in Boston and beyond. As Boston’s only public research university on the harbor waterfront, we are particularly interested in candidates who can integrate aquaculture into their teaching and research in an urban setting.

We expect the preferred candidate to work collaboratively with core and affiliate faculty, applying their aquaculture expertise to complement the School’s diverse academic community.

Additional context:
This position is one of four Assistant Professor appointments for this year and adds to the five new positions we introduced last year. The successful candidate will interact with undergraduate (Environmental Science, Environmental Studies), master’s, and PhD programs as well as host and interdisciplinary programs such as the Urban Planning and Community Development Department, the Stone Living Lab, Urban Harbors Institute, Mass Bays National Estuary Partnership, Nantucket Field Station, Living on Earth, Sustainable Solutions Lab, and the UMass Boston Canala Institutes.

The candidate will develop an active research program, secure funding, participate in graduate training, and receive mentoring and professional development support.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach and mentor students across the Environmental Studies and Sustainability BA and Environmental Science BA, BS, MS, and PhD programs. In addition to teaching and research, the candidate will provide service to the School for the Environment, the university, and the professional field of study.

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant natural or social science field and possess the ability and/or interest to collaborate in transdisciplinary teams, engage diverse stakeholders, and integrate multiple disciplines to study complex issues associated with food provisioning in urban areas.

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range of $80,000 to $99,500 for this position. The specific salary will be determined by the University based on all relevant factors when an offer is extended. Exceptional candidates may be considered for salaries above the published range to remain competitive.

• Cover letter (2 pages maximum)
• Curriculum vitae
• Complete contact information for three academic references

Final date to receive applications: For full consideration, submit all materials by Sunday, November 30, 2025 before 11:59 pm (EST).

Michael Tlusty, Professor of Sustainability and Food Solutions, School for the Environment
University of Massachusetts Boston
Email: michael.tlusty

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations during the hiring process. For accommodations, please contact HR or 617‑287‑5150.