Assistant Professor of Geology

Description

Located in the vibrant community of Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving roughly 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top undergraduate, liberal arts colleges in the country.

Location:

Walla Walla, WA

Open Date:
Jul 30, 2026

The Department of Geology seeks applicants for a tenure-track position beginning August 2027, with expertise in sedimentology and stratigraphy, at the rank of assistant professor. Applicants must have a Ph.D. at the start of the position.

The successful candidate will offer courses in sedimentology/stratigraphy, introductory geology, courses that contribute to the College's general education requirements, and additional courses in the candidate's area of expertise; for example: historical geology, low-temperature geochemistry, sedimentary basin analysis, or topics in climate change such as paleoclimate archives or sedimentary processes in coastal, marine, or flood settings. Whitman is one of the founding institutions of the Keck Geology Consortium, and the geology department distinguishes itself in its emphasis on experiential learning.

The department invites applicants who will participate in the department's twice-yearly Regional Geology class, a 4-day field trip to areas in the geologically active Pacific Northwest. All geology faculty and students can participate in this field experience, which develops students' science identity and creates social cohesion and connections between students, staff, and faculty. The standard annual teaching load is five courses.

In addition to the popular Geology major, the department offers combined majors with our partners in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, French, Physics, and an Oceanography program offered in collaboration with the University of Washington. The department values creative approaches to teaching that cultivate inclusive learning environments, and collaborative research with undergraduate students.

The College provides a generous pre-tenure sabbatical program and professional development support for both research and teaching. The successful candidate will demonstrate potential to sustain an active scholarly or creative research agenda and to participate in faculty governance, mentorship, or other forms of service in ways that fit their interests and talents.

Whitman College is committed to fostering an inclusive learning community that values diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. In the cover letter, candidates should describe their interest in teaching undergraduates, majors as well as non-majors, at all levels of instruction. In doing so, candidates should address how their classroom and scholarly practices will advance equity and inclusion in the learning environment.

Review of applications will begin September 21.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $82,000

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits package that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances; basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage; 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met;
Tuition Remission - Dependent Children, after eligibility requirements; employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester; and an Employee Assistance Program. New faculty receive a relocation stipend for moving expenses based on the distance of relocation. Benefit offerings and eligibility described reflect current offerings and may be subject to change in accordance with College polices and plan documents.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment.

Whitman College is an EEO employer. The college shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR

• 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.