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The University Of Illinois

Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, University of Portland

The University Of Illinois, Oregon, Illinois, United States, 61061


Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies, Department of Environmental ScienceTerms and Hours:

Full Time Tenure-Track Faculty on a 9-month academic year assignmentSalary Range:

Annual salaries for the 2024-2025 academic year have not yet been determined. The 2023-2024 annual salary for a first-year assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences is $72,637.Benefits:

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, and retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of continuous full time employment. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)Job SummaryThe University of Portland located in Portland, Oregon,USAinvites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies to begin August 15, 2024.

The University of Portland is a primarily undergraduate institution comprising four professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which houses our strong liberal arts Core Curriculum, required of all students. The University Core provides students in all disciplines a unifying set of experiences and promotes engagement with theSix Core Habits of Heart and Mind, which include “Global and Historical Consciousness” and “Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and the Common Good.” Every department inCAScontributes to the Core.

TheDepartment of Environmental Studies, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, is a transdisciplinary department offering a B.S. in environmental science and a B.A. in environmental ethics and policy. We are looking for a scholar to join our department who is either a physical/ natural scientist or social scientist with a background (master’s degree) in science. Our curriculum is designed to give students a broad sense of both the scientific and ethical implications surrounding environmental issues. The B.S. track leads to a degree in environmental science, a broadly conceived course of study that involves biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, along with a strong foundation in the social sciences and humanities. The B.A. track leads to a degree in environmental ethics and policy, which combines a background in science with a discourse that centers on philosophy, theology, ethics, political science, and other fields.

The environmental studies program is committed to diversifying our curriculum and our faculty; we have recently added a course in environmental justice. We are also committed to actively recruiting underrepresented students in research and we participate in a transparent, application-based hiring process for undergraduate research assistants. UP has a robust program in environmental studies and the candidate will play a role in shaping the development of the program and its students.The College of Arts and Sciences is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty to reflect and support our increasingly diverse student body. As the oldest and largest unit within the University of Portland, we have a unique role to play in advancing campus-wide goals with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We offer many courses and bring expertise on topics of oppression and liberation in society and organizations, and through our instruction, scholarship, advising, and service, we provide students across the University with critical frameworks to understand and respond to structural injustices. Furthermore, as a Catholic (Holy Cross) institution, it is our mission to support and develop our students as whole people by engaging their heads, hearts, and hands and to affirm the dignity and worth of all people. We seek employees who are likewise committed to promoting an environment of equity, inclusion, and celebration of difference, and who can contribute to our goals through their teaching, research, mentoring, and other activities. The successful candidate for this position may also have the opportunity to contribute classes to UP’s growing and cross-disciplinary Ethnic Studies program.Core DutiesUniversity of Portland faculty teach, advise, conduct research, and serve the department, the College, and the University. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching, including attention to evidence-based instructional practices, and the potential for productive research in the context of a primarily undergraduate teaching institution.The successful candidate will have an interest in environmental policy applications or human-environment interactions that is demonstrated through teaching and/or research experience, teach three courses per semester (with labs counting as individual courses), develop a robust research program centered around mentoring undergraduates, advise majors, and serve on departmental and college committees. We are looking specifically for a candidate who can bridge the B.S. and B.A. sides of our environmental studies curriculum.

Teaching responsibilities include one new applied (e.g., laboratory) course in the candidate’s specialty, contribution to interdisciplinary offerings including the existing first year course (ENV200Perspectives in Environmental Studies) or capstone course (ENV400Integrating Seminar in Environmental Studies), and possible collaboration with our environmental policy faculty. A commitment to undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts setting is essential, ideally supported by past evidence of effective teaching.Specific areas of research could include atmospheric science, climate adaptation, environmental health, marine science, natural hazards, and/or water resources. Specific expectations around targeted service areas include advising and mentoring B.A. and B.S. students in environmental studies, participating in departmental activities as needed, and serving on committees outside the department.Education & ExperiencePh.D. in Environmental Studies or a related field or evidence of completion of degree by August 1, 2024.Record of peer-reviewed publication with at least one accepted publication.Evidence of a commitment to engaging undergraduates in a productive, peer-reviewed research program that can reasonably be supported at the University of Portland.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesInterest in environmental policy applications or human-environment interactions.Interest in teaching an interdisciplinary Environmental Studies course at either the introductory or capstone level; interest in teaching an applied (e.g., lab) course.Demonstrated effectiveness in inclusive and student-centered teaching.Strong orientation towards continued learning and applying learning in the teaching and research environment.Evidence of a commitment to teaching and student mentoring.Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.Demonstrated lived experience, knowledge, skills, and/or success in diversity, equity, and inclusion work within or transferable to higher education.Commitment to collegial collaboration (e.g., teaching, research, or service) both within the department and across the University.Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle sensitive and personal information with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.Cover letter of application that addresses the position qualifications and how you can support theUniversity of Portland missionand commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as noted below;A brief statement (approximately two pages) of teaching philosophy that includes your approach and strategies to achieving your goals with undergraduate students in your field and demonstrates effectiveness in undergraduate teaching. In addition, candidates should articulate a vision for teaching an interdisciplinary introductory or concluding course in environmental studies for majors. The successful candidate should provide a detailed vision for how their research and/or teaching will bridge the two sides of the department;A brief (up to two pages) statement describing your research interests and plans, including a plan for developing a research program centered around mentoring undergraduates;Graduate transcripts (scanned copies acceptable);The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks at a later stage of the hiring process.Diversity, Equity, and InclusionApplicants should directly address in their cover letter how they will contribute to University of Portland’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applicants may choose to discuss one or more of the following:Your lived experience and/or what you have learned from your experiences that shape your behaviors and actions.Plan(s) and/or on-going efforts to promote an equitable climate for students from diverse backgrounds in both teaching and research.Ways you have worked or will work toward creating equity in your department, the college, university, and/or wider community.For full consideration, applications must be received by November 1, 2023.

While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered. Finalists may be asked to submit additional materials at a later date.Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee.

The University of Portland is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.A background investigation check is required before final hiring procedures can be completed for all faculty and staff positions.For those requiring a reasonable accommodation to apply:Applicants who have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the application or hiring process should contact the University’s Human Resources Office athr@up.edu or (503) 943-8484.

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