Assistant Professor of Geosciences

Assistant Professor of Geosciences – Colorado Mesa University

Overview: The Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences invites applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Geosciences specializing in Structural Geology, beginning August 2026.

The ideal candidate will be team‑focused and should demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate education, mentoring, and scholarly activity. They should also support a curriculum that integrates field‑based, lab‑based, and computational approaches to prepare students for careers in both industry and academia.

• Teach Undergraduate Structural Geology
• Teach GIS courses, which may include Remote Sensing.
• Contribute to our 6‑week Geosciences Summer Field Camp, with projects emphasizing structural geology mapping.
• Develop and sustain a research program that actively engages undergraduate students in real‑world Earth science problems using geospatial methods and meaningful field experiences.
• Mentor undergraduate students and support their academic, professional, and research development.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues to strengthen a curriculum that integrates field‑based, lab‑based, and computational approaches.
• Participate in scholarly activity and service to the department and institution.

Typical teaching load is 12 credits per semester. Field Camp contributions count toward load. The department offers support for geospatial and field‑based research, including access to GIS and Remote Sensing labs, UAVs, and software such as ArcGIS Pro and Python‑based tools. Faculty also benefit from collaborations with the Unconventional Energy Center and the Water Center.

• PhD in Geosciences, whose expertise is centered in Structural Geology, with demonstrated overlap in one or more of the following areas:
  Geophysics, Economic Geology / Mining Geology, or Geothermal Energy / Energy Transition.

$63,000.00 – $65,000.00, commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package.

Final date to receive applications:
To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by 1/11/2026.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload the following PDFs:

• Cover letter – Summarize your qualifications and interest in the position.
• Curriculum Vitae – Include published papers, manuscripts accepted for publication, proposals submitted and awarded, classes taught, students mentored, awards, and other relevant achievements.
• Teaching Statement (2 pages maximum) – Describe:
  • Previous formal teaching experience and future teaching goal
  • Previous mentoring contributions and future mentoring goals with undergraduate students
  • Approach to creating a sense of belonging in the classroom and employing effective strategies that support the success of all students
• Research Statement (2 pages maximum) – Describe:
  • Research philosophy
  • Research experience and future goals
  • Mentorship of students conducting research
• Contact information for three professional references.
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire).

Contact:
Wade Aubin, waubin

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado, CMU provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state‑of‑the‑art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance.

Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative…