Assistant Teaching Professor - Climate Science at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho

Job Description:

The Department of Geosciences and the School of the Environment invite applications for a non-tenure-track, Assistant Teaching Professor, with expertise in teaching climate science. This is a 9-month, full-time, benefitted and permanently funded position. The expected start date is August 15, 2025, and typical teaching load is 3-4 courses per semester. Applicants should demonstrate prior success and future potential in undergraduate teaching, as well as a willingness to engage in program development and community outreach. Anticipated teaching responsibilities emphasize our Climate Studies minor in Geosciences, and include introductory courses in climate and the environment; mid-level courses in atmosphere, weather, and climate; and an advanced capstone course in climate change. In addition to teaching existing climate courses, the successful candidate may also develop new offerings, potentially online, in partnership with interdisciplinary faculty and staff to support and expand offerings in multiple degree programs across several units (e.g., undergraduate major and minor programs in Geosciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Sustainability, etc., and related graduate programs).

The successful candidate for this position will have a primary appointment in the Department of Geosciences (85%) and a joint appointment in School of the Environment (15%). As such, they will principally support our undergraduate educational needs, but also engage in outreach and help grow training opportunities through curriculum and program development. The primary duties and workload distributions of this position include the following:

• 80% Teaching: Contribute introductory through advanced undergraduate courses in the Department of Geosciences that are required for departmental and interdisciplinary programs that include climate science.

• 20%: Service and outreach: Contribute to the service needs of the Department of Geosciences (5%) and, in the context of the School of the Environment, engage with community and university members to liaison with local and regional colleges and high schools. (15%)


Department and School overview:


Department of Geosciences: The Department of Geosciences at Boise State has 15 tenured and tenure-track faculty and maintains strategic focus areas in surface processes, lithospheric dynamics, and geophysics. Our research pursuits span the globe, while benefiting from collaborations with science and management agencies in the state and region. Boise State is a university consortium partner in the USGS Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, local field sites with potential for teaching demonstrations (Reynolds Creek Agricultural Research Station, Dry Creek Experimental Watershed), and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. We support BS degrees in Geosciences (emphases in Geology, Geophysics, Hydrology, and Secondary Education), MS degrees in Geoscience, Geophysics, and Hydrology, and PhD degrees in Geosciences and Geophysics. We also have undergraduate minors in Climate Studies and in GIS, as well as a graduate certificate in GIS. Campus-wide, interdisciplinary degrees in which Geoscience faculty advise students include PhD programs in Computational Science and Engineering, and in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior.

School of the Environment: The School of the Environment (SoE) is an interdisciplinary school that resides within the College of Arts and Sciences. The School brings together scientific perspectives, policy tools, systems thinking, varied experiences, creative stories, partnerships, and more to collaboratively develop societally-impactful solutions to environmental challenges on our changing planet. SoE faculty are interdisciplinary and bring their scholarly perspectives to bear on student training and environmental challenges from Human Environment Systems, History, Sociology, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Geosciences, Energy Policy, and the Biological Sciences. We offer a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Management. We also support the BA in Environmental Studies offered by the School of Public Service. SoE faculty advise students in multiple graduate programs across campus including PhD programs in Computing; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior; and Geosciences; and Masters programs in Biological Sciences and the Masters in Environmental Management.


About Boise State:


Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We're a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We're building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about faculty careers at Boise State and the City of Boise.


Minimum qualifications:


• Either a PhD in climate science or related field (e.g., atmospheric, oceanic, geologic sciences, etc.) by the time of appointment; or a Master's degree in climate science or a related field, combined with 8 years of relevant experience.

• A record of teaching experience related to climate science.


Preferred qualifications:


• A commitment to effective teaching, as demonstrated by:

• Evidence of student attainment of learning outcomes
  
• Responsiveness to learning barriers
  
• Professional development activities
  
• Peer and student evaluations of teaching
  

• Commitment to creating inclusive teaching environments where all students are capable of learning.

• Demonstrated ability to succeed in diverse teaching environments, e.g., small enrollment, large enrollment, online courses, etc.

• Demonstrated knowledge of diverse aspects and impacts of climate change

• Demonstrated ability to communicate the science of climate and climate change to diverse fields or the general public


Required application materials:


1) Cover Letter that explicitly states the candidate's potential contributions to the Department of Geosciences and the programs that it supports;

2) Curriculum Vitae, which includes employment history (include dates of employment), experience with courses taught, publications and/or other scholarly products (e.g., datasets, code, videos, maps, etc.), leadership roles and responsibilities (e.g., program development or leadership), mentorship of students, and professional activities including service;

3) Teaching Statement (four page maximum) that addresses the "Preferred Qualifications" above including a description of the candidate's teaching and mentoring experiences, plans for climate change courses suitable for students in multiple degree pathways (e.g., approach to design, topics, delivery, and assessments), plans for courses or programs that will provide students with essential skills for careers, and teaching evaluation summaries, if available;

4) Contact information (email address and phone number) for three referees

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Matt Kohn (mattkohn@boisestate.edu)


Closing Date:


Review of applications will begin on January 13, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.


Salary and Benefits:


Commensurate with experience.

Our standard faculty contract is a 9-month contract (unless otherwise noted) with pay and benefits spread over 12 months. This is a yearly, renewable contract. More information about faculty contracts and work days is available here.

Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)

• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages

• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents

• See our full benefits page for more information



Advertised: December 10, 2024 Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: Apply Now