Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

The University of North Carolina at Asheville is seeking an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science for a full-time, tenure-track position starting in fall 2026. Candidates should have expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy and a Ph.D. in a related field. Responsibilities include teaching, establishing scholarly activities involving undergraduates, and engaging in service. The position emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring undergraduate research.
Posting Number: F0188

Department
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

Rank
Assistant Professor

Specialization
Expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy

Tenure Status
Tenure Track

Position Summary

The Department of Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina Asheville, a public liberal arts and sciences university, seeks qualified applicants with expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 2026. Preference will be given to candidates with experience or background in both Environmental Management and Policy. The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science or related discipline prior to July 1, 2026 and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester (typically three or four classes); establish their scholarly activities that involve undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community, and the profession. The department is particularly interested in individuals with expertise to teach courses and conduct research in environmental policy, resource conservation and management, environmental sustainability, energy and climate, and/or public lands management. The successful candidate will also teach courses in geospatial technologies. Individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan to establish an active research program that involves mentoring students are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the core curriculum and engage in departmental and university-level service.

UNC Asheville values interdisciplinary perspectives, often incorporated in teaching within the core curriculum. Multidisciplinary perspectives are welcomed, as is pedagogical collaboration with colleagues from across the campus. UNC Asheville has also been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 67% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference to be sent separately that address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin February 15 and continue until the position is filled. Inquires may be directed to Dr. David Gillette, Chair of Environmental Science (dgillett@unca.edu).

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Environmental Science or related field with expertise in Environmental Management and/or Policy earned prior to July 1, 2026 is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, a concrete research agenda that includes the mentoring of undergraduate students, a desire to contribute to general education requirements, and have interests in interdisciplinary work across the university.

Months per Year: 9 months

Division
Academic Affairs

Department
Environmental Science

Special Instructions Summary

Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. The applicant will enter information into the application system which will automatically request three letters of reference to be sent separately and confidentially that speaks to the candidate's writing and interpersonal skills and ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students. Please, do not submit reference letters directly to the search chair.

Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2026.

Inquiries only may be directed to Search Committee Chair, David Gillette, (dgillett@unca.edu). Please do not submit any materials to this email address. All application materials, including letters submitted separately by references or portfolio services, must be uploaded via the application portal.

Anticipated Start Date
07/01/2026