Professor of Geology (Open Rank)

Summary: The Geology Department at Grand Valley State University invites applications for Professor of Geology (Open Rank) to begin Fall 2025. Rank and tenure status will be commensurate with experience. The Department values candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and inclusive undergraduate education. We welcome candidates who have the capacity to lead college-level curriculum broadly in solid earth materials and high temperature geochemistry, including mineralogy, petrology, and economic geology. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to high-quality teaching at the undergraduate level and an active research program within those disciplines with the promise of successfully obtaining extramural support. Applicants to Associate or Full professor ranking would have demonstrated leadership experience in curriculum development, service contributions, scholarship and/or departmental administration.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Ph.D. in Geology or closely related field.
• Active research program within the disciplines of solid earth geoscience and high temperature geochemistry, including mineralogy, petrology, and economic geology.
• Candidate should have the capacity to lead college-level curriculum related to the field and demonstrate a commitment to high-quality teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.
• Evidence of one’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This could be demonstrated by an applicant using inclusive teaching practices; conducting research relating to minoritized populations or social inequality; engaging in community-based outreach to minoritized and underserved communities; or engaging in other kinds of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship, and/or service .
• Applicants to Associate or Full professor ranking would have: demonstrated leadership experience in curriculum development, scholarship and/or departmental administration and service contribution; demonstrated history of extramural research support and a robust publication record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven teaching experience at the college/university level.
• History of extramural research support.
• Development of a research program involving undergraduate students.

Responsibilities:

Tenure-track faculty in Geology Department serve nine-month contracts, with a nine-credit hour teaching load per semester (approximately three, 3 credit hour courses per semester), and a significant focus (equivalent to 3 credit hours) of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarship, and/or service depending on the candidate’s interests and the department’s needs. The candidate would teach introductory geology courses, some with labs and/or large lectures, in addition to majors courses such as Earth History and upper division courses in mineralogy/petrology/geochemistry (e.g. GEO 214 Solid Earth Materials and Systems, GEO 314 Petrography, GEO 414 Advanced Petrology). Many of these courses involve field trips or field experiences. Faculty are expected to maintain an active scholarship program that includes mentoring undergraduate research students. We support opportunities for collaboration with other GVSU faculty and are interested in new and emerging fields that can contribute to diversifying the expertise in our department. Faculty are also expected to contribute service to the Department, College, University, and/or community.

Minimum Starting Salary:

Assistant Professor - $75,000; commensurate with experience

Associate Professor - $90,000; commensurate with experience

Full Professor - $113,000; commensurate with experience

Benefits: The university offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, sick leave/disability, tuition waiver, flexible spending accounts, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities effective on date of hire. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available.

Department:

Faculty in the Geology department are scholar-teachers and leaders in disciplines as diverse as 1) geomorphology and hydrogeology, 2) geoscience education, 3) sedimentology, paleoclimate and climate science, 4) geophysics, geodynamics and tectonic processes. We place an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. The Geology Department includes 9 tenure-track faculty members, 2 affiliate faculty members, 2 visiting faculty members and 66 students in our majors (Geology, Geology-Chemistry, Earth Science). We also serve 15 Integrated Science and 764 Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching majors with a focus on science education. The department values high impact teaching, undergraduate research experiences, and collegial faculty-student interactions (see www.gvsu.edu/geology ).

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources page on Grand Valley State University Human Resources website . Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service.

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers . To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following to the online application:

• A cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Research statement that includes a brief summary of scholarship/research activities, including research projects appropriate for undergraduate students and a statement of facilities, equipment, and instrumentation needs (detailed equipment budgets are not necessary with the initial application).
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable)

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. Questions about the position may be directed to Merritt Delano-Taylor ( taylomer@gvsu.edu ; 616-331-8839).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on October 28, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. See http://www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/ . TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.