Job Description
Location : West Chester University, PA
Job Type: Regular / Full-Time
Job Number: 25-09
Department: College of Sciences & Mathematics
Division: Earth and Space Sciences
Opening Date: 08/06/2024
Position Summary Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. The Department of Earth and Space Sciences invites applicants for a Full-time, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor of Geology/Geoscience position. The position begins in August 2025.
West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies.
We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good .
The mission of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, part of the College of the Sciences and Mathematics, is to prepare students for careers in Geoscience and the environmental consulting industry. The curriculum emphasizes depth in the traditional disciplines of Geology and Environmental Geoscience, as well as a broader approach to understanding Earth Systems and human interaction with the environment. The Department's faculty have experience and expertise in geology, geochemistry, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. The faculty members serve as both instructors and researchers.
The faculty position involves teaching graduate, upper-level undergraduate, and general education courses in one of the traditional geological subdisciplines as well as Physical Geology or Historical Geology. The incumbent will have the opportunity to develop new courses or modify existing curriculum to attract students and support the department's growing programs. The ideal candidate will use innovative teaching skills and demonstrate strong attention to the learning and teaching needs of the department's students. Their experience, substantive specialization, and pedagogical training will serve to strengthen the department's mission and vision. The faculty will collaborate with other departmental and college faculty & staff to ensure student success.
Responsibilities include :
- Teach upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and general education courses in one of the traditional geological subdisciplines such as Mineralogy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Structural Geology, Paleontology, or Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, as well as Physical Geology or Historical Geology
- Engage in scholarly activities such as research, presentations, publications, and grants. This is necessary for tenure and promotion.
- Advise current and prospective students. Assist graduating undergraduates and graduate students earn employment, internship, and/or entrance to graduate programs
- Serve the University and the community through participation in various committees
- Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications - Ph.D in Geology, Geosciences, or a closely related field/disciple. ABD may be considered - must be completed on or before August 2025
- Demonstrated ability to effectively teach courses within geological specialization
- Ability to effectively communicate in writing & verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents
- Experience working collaboratively with other departmental and College faculty & staff
Preferred Qualifications - Experience teaching at College/High Education level; and/or
- Experience developing Geoscience course curriculum; and/or
- Demonstrated ability to mentor undergraduate and/or graduate student; and/or
- Experience working with the scientific community to achieve student success; and/or
- Experience working collaboratively with other departmental and College faculty & staff to achieve student success and department goals/objective; and /or
- Demonstrated ability to develop and support a vigorous and sustained research program
Special Instructions Apply online at Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Review of applications will begin in September 2024 and continue until the position is filled.
Applicants must successfully complete the application, interview process, research presentation, and teaching demonstration to be considered as a finalist.
Required Documents for Consideration
To be considered as an applicant for this position, please submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Statement of research interests
- Unofficial transcript (official transcripts will be required at a later date)
- List of three (3) references (Include name, email address, and phone number for each reference). Letter of recommendation will be solicited electronically.
- Diversity Statement (See below)
Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
West Chester University has joined EAB's Moon Shot initiative for Equity in Higher education. This initiative is designed to support faculty, students, and staff who are typically excluded and therefore are underrepresented. As part of your application for a tenure-track faculty position, we request a Diversity Statement. This request highlights our department's commitment to promote diversity and inclusiveness and to cultivate a campus environment that welcomes all. This commitment reflects the Diversity Theme of West Chester University's Strategic Plan and supports initiatives of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (WCU Diversity Equity Inclusion). We expect that each applicant's statement will be unique as informed by their own experiences and goals. Some topics you might address in a 1-2-page statement include the following: (1) How have you supported diversity and inclusion in your interactions with others in classroom, clinical or therapy setting, or research environment(s)? (2) What have you done to help students from diverse communities (such as underrepresented minorities, non-traditional, LGBTQ, veteran, rural, and/or first generation) succeed, including any programs for these students that you have participated in? (3) Describe your commitment to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity at WCU. How might you contribute to our current diversity initiatives, and do you have any other ideas to help promote equity on our campus?
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment background checks.
Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU's educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. WCU proudly offers comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, generous retirement plans, many wellness programs, a tuition waiver for self and family members, and training, development and advancement opportunities.
- On the first working day, new employees are eligible to enroll in medical, prescription, dental and vision benefit plans. Medical and prescription drug coverage includes PPO health, prescription drug, and hearing coverage.
- Dental and vision coverage is offered at no cost to employees.
- The Healthy U Wellness program rewards participants with reduced health care premiums and provides tools and resources to maintain good health.
- Flexible spending accounts allow employees to withhold income from their paychecks before taxes for reimbursement of approved medical and dependent care expenses.
- A University mission to support employee personal and professional growth.
- PASSHE tuition waiver lowers the cost of college expenses.
- Leave and time-off benefits include generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays.
- Choice of two group retirement plans with generous employer contributions.
- Voluntary retirement plans offer two additional options to save and invest money for retirement and are available to all employees upon their date of hire.
- Group life insurance is provided at no cost to all permanent employees.
- Voluntary long-term disability insurance (LTD) and voluntary group life and personal accident insurance (VGLIP/AD&D) are available to employees.
- State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) provides a wide range of free services including counseling, legal, and financial services.
The employee group for this position is Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). For additional benefit details please see the PASSHE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PAGE .
Theinformation is provided for general purposes only. Legal Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies that may arise. Benefits, benefit levels, and eligibility rules are subject to change. The benefits described are available to most employees; however, certain eligibility requirements must be met.
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Have you uploaded a cover letter?
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Have you uploaded a curriculum vitae (resume)?
03
Have you uploaded a statement of teaching philosophy?
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Have you uploaded a statement of research interests?
05
Have you uploaded an unofficial transcript (official transcripts will be required at a later date)?
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Have you uploaded a list of three (3) references (Include name, email address, and phone number for each reference)? Letter of recommendation will be solicited electronically.
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Have you uploaded a Diversity Statement?
Required Question West Chester University
Job Tags
Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Internship, Flexible hours,