Location: Edinburg,TX, USA
We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as an Assistant Professor of the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Located in the subtropical Rio Grande Valley near the Gulf of Mexico, UTRGV is positioned in a region highly susceptible to drought, predicted water shortages, and other extreme weather events, which significantly impact both agricultural and ecological systems. As of 2022, over 700,000 acres of the region's land were dedicated to pasture and rangeland, accounting for approximately 48% of farmland use. The successful candidate will contribute to a rapidly expanding academic program focused on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Collaboration with faculty tackling key agricultural and environmental issues, both locally and beyond, is expected. This includes interdisciplinary, mission-driven research with USDA agencies, farmers, and ranchers. Ample opportunities exist for partnerships in areas like soil and plant health, restoration ecology, and climate adaptation, particularly in addressing challenges posed by drought.
The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rangeland management, covering topics such as range ecology, rangeland improvements and restoration practices, and rangeland planning and ranch management; 2) develop an active, field-based research program that engages both undergraduate and graduate students through mentorship and hands-on learning; and 3) seek and secure external funding to develop a robust research program centered on land management, climate change mitigation, adaptation, rangeland degradation, productivity, and livestock production. This program should address the challenges posed by frequent droughts and extreme weather events, offering solutions that promote sustainable rangeland productivity and enhance resilience.
About UTRGV:
UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.
Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.
UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. Already recognized as one of the premier Hispanic Serving Institutions in the U.S., UTRGV has recently achieved R2 Carnegie research classification and is aiming to attain R1 status by 2028. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website.
Department/College Background
The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences (SEEMS) provides integrative educational and training experiences for students and conducts world-class research while supporting the Rio Grande Valley community. SEEMS promotes collaborative, multi-disciplinary research and seeks participation of other sciences and disciplines interested in applying interdisciplinary perspectives to understanding of earth-environmental systems and their interactions with society (i.e., integrating biological, chemical, physical, and geospatial sciences with engineering, social science, economics, policy).
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum requirement is a Ph.D. from an accredited university in Rangeland Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or other related discipline.
Discipline Specific Required Qualifications
N/A
Preferred Qualifications
Postdoctoral research experience
License or Certification Required? No Salary Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience Desired Start Date 09/01/2025