Assistant Professor in Mineralogy/Petrology (Earth Materials)

Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in Mineralogy/Petrology (Earth Materials), California State University, Sacramento

The Geology Department at California State University, Sacramento invites applications for a tenure-track position in Mineralogy/Petrology (Earth Materials) at the Assistant Professor rank to begin August 2024. Qualified candidates should be dedicated to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and committed to developing an active research program with student involvement. Successful candidates will be expected to teach a variety of courses in Geology including earth materials (mineralogy and rock identification) and/or petrology, develop courses in their area of specialization, advise student research (undergraduate and graduate), contribute to institutional and community service, and create an inclusive teaching environment for a diverse student population. Applicants with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their teaching, research, or service are especially invited to apply. 

For more information about the position, contact search chair: David Shimabukuro (dhs@csus.edu). Geology faculty will be available to meet with prospective candidates at the 2023 GSA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. To apply, view https://careers.csus.edu/en-us/job/532018/tenure-track-faculty-geology. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023 and the position will remain open until filled.  

About the Department

The Sacramento State Geology Department provides students with accessible, world-class, practical training in geology. It serves about 70 undergraduate and 20 graduate students through instruction that emphasizes real world application, hands-on experience, as well as one-on-one advising and mentoring. Faculty and students are active in research and scholarly activities. The Geology Department shares a building with the U.S. Geological Survey California Water Science Center and maintains close connections to a variety of agencies, industries, and professional organizations in California’s capital city. The Geology Department also works to support the University’s mission by preparing a diverse student body for leadership, service, and success.

Sacramento State and its Geology Department are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive campus free from all forms of oppression where all students, faculty, staff, and community members feel a sense of belonging. All faculty members are expected to contribute toward achieving this goal of inclusive excellence.

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State’s 31,000 students come not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission: “As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students for leadership, service, and success. Sacramento State will be a recognized leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to student success, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, philanthropy, and campus safety. 

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Geology, or a closely related field. ABD applicants will be considered but all requirements for the degree must be completed by August 2024. 

• Potential for teaching upper-division earth materials (mineralogy and rock identification) and/or igneous and metamorphic petrology courses that incorporates optical mineralogy   Potential for teaching lower-division general education geology courses  Potential for teaching discipline-specific graduate courses  Demonstrated skills in petrographic microscope analysis and rock and mineral identification.  Potential for research and scholarly activities that involve students such as presentations, publications, and grants 

• Potential for department, college, and university service  Potential for community service  Potential to work with diverse students and colleagues and create an inclusive teaching environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Potential for service to the university and broader community with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion  Prior teaching experience at the college level  Practice of innovative teaching in the classroom, laboratory, and the field  Potential for teaching additional upper-division courses in geology.  Potential to guide student research in the Western US 

• Potential to collaborate on research with existing department faculty  Potential to connect students with employers  Commitment to be a fully engaged participant in a small, collegial department

Materials needed to apply:

• Cover letter that briefly addresses required and preferred (if applicable) qualifications (2-page limit).  Curriculum Vitae that includes names and contact information for three (3) referees (letters of reference will be solicited only if invited for video interview).  Statement expressing teaching interests, preparation to teach and mentor at the college-level, and potential use of pedagogical tools to increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the geosciences (2-page limit). 

• Statement of scholarly interest including evidence of research experience and potential to include undergraduate and graduate students in research (2-page limit).  Diversity statement demonstrating your past and/or potential contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These contributions may be made through teaching, research, and/or service to the institution or local community (2-page limit).  Unofficial transcripts are required with application. Official transcripts will be required if invited for an on-campus interview. 

The Department reminds applicants that in order to apply it is necessary to meet only the required qualifications. Applicants with experience communicating and working with a diverse student population are encouraged to apply. Evidence of this should be reflected in the applicant’s cover letter, CV, scholarly research, specialized training (for instance, teaching workshops), and/or prior teaching experience.