Assistant Professor In Environmental Studies

Randolph-Macon College invites applications for a tenure-track position in Environmental Studies to begin in fall 2024. The opportunity for an accelerated tenure decision may be available. We seek an interdisciplinary scholar dedicated to teaching and mentoring students in a project-based environment. Currently, the program is distinguished by its novel and successful three-course, problem-solving sequence. In these courses, students work for off-campus clients to solve real environmental problems. Clients range from multinational corporations to small non-profit groups. Projects and clients are developed to complement the disciplinary expertise of the faculty involved and routinely include a mixture of natural and social sciences. Faculty teaching these courses serve as project managers overseeing the work students conduct.

Environmental Studies faculty are committed to conducting research with undergraduate students. The College’s Shapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowships are available to support students and faculty in all disciplines during summer research. The successful candidate will also be eligible for internal research and travel grants and have access to the program’s research facilities. It is also expected that faculty will pursue external funding to conduct their own research and involve undergraduates in the work.

Major/Essential Functions: Randolph-Macon College faculty teach, advise, conduct research and engage in scholarship, and serve the college and program. Primary teaching responsibilities currently include the three-course problem-solving sequence (co-taught with other faculty), courses in the applicant’s area of study, and contributions to general education.

Institution Information: Randolph-Macon College, founded in 1830, is a selective, primarily residential liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1500 students located in the northern suburbs of Richmond, Virginia. It is 90 miles south of Washington, DC and 15 miles north of Richmond. The College seeks employees committed to advancing inclusion and equity and to cultivating a community that welcomes all people, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression. Of special interest are candidates who can further the College’s efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. with a focus on the environment in hand by August 31, 2024
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching
• Evidence of a commitment to undergraduate teaching and student engagement
• Ability to teach upper-level courses in the applicant’s area of specialty
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to pedagogical methods that enable students across racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups to reach their maximum potential

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in project-based learning with real-world clients, preferably through experience in Environmental consulting
• Preferred disciplinary home in the physical and life sciences, engineering, public policy, economics, business, or sociology
• Evidence of scholarly productivity in the applicant’s area of study
• Evidence of ability to engage undergraduates in the applicant’s area of study
• Ability to teach an environmental communication course emphasizing writing and speaking skills
• Commitment to collaborative teaching with other faculty

Application Procedures: Please complete an online application at https://bit.ly/3rk65xV to include uploading the following as a single pdf addressed to Sabrina Granderson, Administrative Services Coordinator, no later than October 20.

• Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications;
• Curriculum vitae;
• One page statement of teaching philosophy;
• One page statement of research goals;
• One page statement describing past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Transcripts (unofficial and scanned copies are acceptable); and
• 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 by phone.

For full consideration, applications must be received by October 20. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be considered by the search committee. For specific inquiries about the position, contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr. Charles Gowan (cgowan@rmc.edu).