Santa Clara, CA

Position Title: Assistant Professor in Race, Justice, and the Environment

Organization: Santa Clara University

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Position Overview: The Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences at Santa Clara University (SCU), a Jesuit Catholic university, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Race, Justice, and the Environment. The successful candidate will start on September 1, 2025 and be expected to teach, engage in a scholarship program, and do service for the Department, College and University.  We seek a teaching/scholar who will conduct applied research at the intersection of race, justice, and the environment. We encourage applications that use environmental social science approaches from fields including, but not limited to, Public Health, Anthropology, Sociology, Science and Technology Studies, Geography, Development Studies, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Politics and Policy, Environmental Law, and Food Systems.  SCU is on the quarter system and faculty are expected to teach 6 courses per year (2 each quarter), assuming they are engaged in an active scholarship program. Teaching reductions are available for candidates who secure extramural funding, among other options. Housing assistance is available.

Duties:

TEACHING

1. Teaching expectations are guided by the Department’s teaching standards. Areas of teaching need include a lower-division introductory required course, Environment and Society; upper division courses Environmental Justice and a new course, Race and the Environment; contributions to one of the Departmental research skills courses (e.g., Mixed Methods, Environmental Statistics, GIS, or Senior Capstone); and an elective or required course otherwise related to the candidate’s specialty, such as Environmental Law or World Geography. SCU is on the quarter system and a typical load is two courses per quarter, lab classes count as 2 courses. Teaching responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

a.    Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively.

b.    Assigning and evaluating written work, projects, and exams that align with course or core learning objectives and providing timely feedback to students.

c.     Holding weekly office hours at times reasonably convenient to students.

d.    Assigning and submitting student grades that are appropriate, accurate, and fair measures of student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline.

e.    Administering numerical and narrative evaluations in each section for all courses.

2. Develop and teach courses that contribute to curriculum development in the relevant degree program and/or the university core. Faculty teaching university core courses should follow an approved syllabus or work with the chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee.

3. Participate in assessment of student learning for courses in the department.

4. Provide informed advice and mentoring to undergraduate students.

5. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or by the Chair of the Environmental Studies & Sciences Department.

RESEARCH

1. Develop a research program at SCU that will result in the publication of peer-reviewed journal articles and/or other scholarly products, in line with the department’s scholarship standards.

2. Preference will be given to candidates with a research program that can accommodate participation of undergraduates. Research agendas that have current or future plans for field research activities in the Western U.S. as part of a broader research agenda can help facilitate this participation.

SERVICE

1. Provide effective service to the Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University and profession through contributions such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, community service related to the scholar’s professional expertise or association with the university, and leadership, as appropriate to rank and experience.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. (completion required by the time of appointment) in an environmental social science or related field, with specific expertise related to topics of race, justice, and the environment.

Preferred Qualifications

(1) Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that advance SCU’s goals of diversity and equity.

(2) Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduates.

(3) Post-doctoral research and/or undergraduate teaching experience are highly valued, as is community-engaged research that is published in peer-reviewed outlets.

(4) The candidate should have a five-year research plan that could be supported by external funding and provide opportunities for involvement by undergraduates.

Salary/Pay: $85,947 to 95,410

Application Deadline: September 16, 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.