The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota is currently seeking a Teaching Assistant Professor.
How to Apply
See the full position description (PDF) and apply on the University of Minnesota Job Application System (search for Job ID 348619).
External Candidates Internal Candidates
For best consideration, please apply before September 1, 2022 when review will begin.
Department Overview
The mission of the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate is to advance the understanding of Earth system processes and the interaction among land, atmosphere, and water. Through research, teaching, and outreach we seek to:
- improve and protect the quality of soil, air, and water resources in natural and managed ecosystems;
- enhance agricultural and forest productivity and sustainability;
- predict and mitigate impacts of environmental and climate change on ecosystems and society; and
- provide science based knowledge for improved decision making and a better informed citizenry.
Position Overview
The Department of Soil, Water and Climate in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota invites applicants for a 9-month, non-tenure track Teaching Assistant Professor position (job code 9403T). We seek applicants with a passion for teaching, including field courses. The position is a full-time, annually renewable appointment. Subsequent annual renewals are contingent on department funding. It is intended to be a long-term appointment and includes a promotion path with steps of Teaching Associate Professor and Teaching Professor. Members of systematically excluded groups are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
Teaching two or three courses per semester. Courses are taught under a variety of circumstances that include, but not necessarily limited to:
- Team teaching
- Outdoor classes that integrate active learning
- Courses with enrollment ranging from 25 to 125 students
- Primarily in person, but online courses will also be expected.
The primary responsibilities are teaching the department’s core courses that teach fundamentals of soil science and environmental science. Teaching elective classes that attract large enrollments is also encouraged. The list below includes courses that are deemed priority courses for this position.
Priority courses to teach
- SOIL 2125 Basic Soil Science (4 cr) 90 to 125 students
- ESPM 4216 Contaminant Hydrology (equivalent to Introductory Soil Physics; 3 cr) 20-30 students
- SOIL 5555 Wetland Soils (3 cr) 20 students)
- SOIL 2601: Secret Life of Soil (100% online, 3 cr) 50-70 students per semester
- ESPM 4021W Problem Solving for Environmental review (4 cr) 50-70 students
- SOIL 3221 Soil Conservation (3 cr) 20-30 students
Team taught courses
- ESPM 1011 (0.25) Issues in the Environment (100% online, 3 cr) 350-450 students/semester
- ESPM 3575 (0.5) Wetlands (3 cr) 60-80 students
The final set of courses will depend on the expertise of the successful candidate. Regardless, the successful candidate will be responsible for teaching a wide range of courses. The final set of courses and additional responsibilities in service of the teaching mission of the Department of Soil, Water and Climate will be assigned by the department head. Some of these responsibilities may be phased in over the first few years. Additional responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in Department and College curriculum development
- Sharing pedagogy-related techniques with colleagues
- Teaching peer review of colleagues
- Serving as an academic mentor to undergraduate students.
- Service on department, college, or university committees related to teaching
Academic Rank
This is a non-tenure track, teaching scholar position. The initial appointment will be at the rank of assistant professor with potential for advancement.