Teaching Assistant Professor of Sustainability - Department of Geology & Geography

West Virginia University is seeking a Teaching Assistant Professor of Sustainability in the Department of Geology & Geography, starting August 14, 2026. This full-time, 9-month position involves teaching courses in Earth Science and Sustainability, mentoring students, and participating in departmental service. Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate strong teaching and mentoring skills. The position is based in Morgantown, WV.
The Department of Geology and
Geography at West Virginia University invites applications for
a Teaching Assistant Professor with a specialization in Earth
Science and Sustainability starting August 14, 2026. This is a
9-month, full-time, position with full benefits. Teaching Assistant
Professor appointments have renewable terms of up to three years,
with no limit on the number of terms. These positions are eligible
for promotion (e.g., Teaching Assistant Professor to Teaching
Associate Professor, etc.); however, promotion to senior ranks is
not a requirement for institutional commitment and career
stability.



The Department of Geology and Geography successfully launched two
new degrees in sustainability in 2023:
Earth and Environmental Science (BS) and
Sustainability Studies (BA) . These new programs complement
graduate degrees including an MA and PhD in Geography, MS and PhD
in Geology, and an online MS in GIS and Spatial Analysis. Faculty
in the Department of Geology and Geography teach thousands of
students, maintain highly active externally funded research
programs, and provide service to the state, Appalachian region, and
the world. The department currently supports 24 faculty, and many
graduate teaching and research assistants. The department has
outstanding geospatial science teaching and research facilities,
hosts the West Virginia GIS Technical Center and WVU Center for
Resilient Communities, and is housed in its own extensively
renovated Brooks Hall on the Downtown campus of WVU.



Responsibilities



The successful candidate will teach courses that support the
Department of Geology and Geography's mission in the department's
two new majors (
BS in Earth and Environmental Science and
BA in Sustainability Studies ). The teaching load is eight
courses or course equivalents per year. The successful candidate
will also be required to mentor and/or advise students. The service
assignment for the position is 20% of the workload and will include
recruiting and retaining students, service on the undergraduate
committee, attending recruiting events, and assisting the
undergraduate director with in-house student events, among other
assigned duties.



Qualifications :



Professional Qualifications



The successful candidate must have completed a PhD in Geology,
Geoscience, Earth Science, Environmental Sciences, Geography with a
focus on sustainability, or a closely related field. In addition,
the candidate must meet the following criteria: ability to
contribute to the teaching mission in (
BS in Earth and Environmental Science and
BA in Sustainability Studies ) and demonstrate the potential to
teach several courses related to the majors (e.g., Sustainable
Earth, First Year Seminar/Careers/Senior Capstone, Earth Systems,
Rocks and Minerals, Geomorphology, GIS, Environmental Geology,
Geochemistry, and Hydrogeology); excellent undergraduate teaching
skills; ability to provide high-quality mentorship to
undergraduates; potential to advise students in career pathways and
coordinate with external donors to support student development;
excellent written and oral communication skills.



Application



To apply, please visit WVU Careers .
Upload the following: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) an application
letter that discusses experience in the classroom (as an instructor
or GTA); 3) teaching statement; 4) unofficial transcript; 5) list
of 3-5 references with complete contact information; and 6) any
evidence of teaching effectiveness including student evaluation of
instruction or external evaluation of instruction. The screening
process will begin March 15, 2026, and continue until the position
is filled. For more information, please visit geo.wvu.edu or
contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Dorothy Vesper,
dorothy.vesper@mail.wvu.edu.



Morgantown, WV is a growing university city. The area offers
abundant outdoor recreation and the cultural opportunities of a
college town. It is within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA
(70 mi) and is within a day's driving distance to Washington DC and
Columbus, OH (200 mi).



West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We
take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and
are committed to the personal and professional growth of our
employees.



From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in
Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in
Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in
Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the
state, touching lives and shaping futures.



At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions
work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core
values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and
appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.



Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a
lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu .



West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We
invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic
information, or Veteran status.