Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies/College of Liberal Arts

Title Information

Faculty TitleAssistant Professor

Job Class Code10031

FLSAExempt

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV2059

Working TitleAssistant Professor in Environmental Studies/College of Liberal Arts

Number of Vacancies1

LocationRio Grande Valley, Texas

Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure StatusTenure Track

FTE1.0

Scope of Job

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 Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.

The School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement ( SIPCE ) seeks to fill a fulltime tenure track Assistant Professor position in the area of Environmental Studies beginning September 1, 2027. SIPCE seeks a faculty member whose teaching, research, and community engagement addresses the complex relationships between humans and technical and ecological systems.

The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of the Environmental Studies program while strengthening SIPCE’s capacity for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching, research, and community-engaged scholarship. The position is particularly suited to a scholar interested in examining complex environmental challenges through approaches that integrate the social sciences, humanities, environmental sciences, policy, and/or other relevant fields.

The faculty member will be expected to develop and maintain an active program of scholarship addressing the human dimensions of environmental change. Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to sustainability; environmental and climate justice; environmental governance and policy; Food-Energy-Water systems; climate adaptation; water and energy transitions; environmental health and wellbeing; sustainable development; infrastructure; disaster vulnerability and resilience; political ecology; environmental migration; community resilience; and just and sustainable transitions.

The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses in Environmental Studies and may contribute to graduate education and other interdisciplinary programs within SIPCE and across UTRGV . Teaching responsibilities will include introductory and upper-division Environmental Studies courses, courses within the candidate’s area of specialization, and experiential or community-engaged learning opportunities. The successful candidate will also mentor students in research, internships, applied projects, and other high-impact educational experiences.

The position is expected to contribute to the growth of SIPCE’s research portfolio through peer-reviewed scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, external funding, and the development of research partnerships within and beyond the University. The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty across UTRGV and to participate in initiatives addressing environmental sustainability, resilience, and community engagement.

Of particular importance is the opportunity to connect Environmental Studies with initiatives such as the Gulf Scholars Program and the Center for Community Resilience Research, Innovation and Advocacy ( CCRRIA ). The successful candidate will be expected to recognize the Rio Grande Valley and the broader Gulf region as important sites of knowledge production. In addition to teaching and research, the faculty member will participate in appropriate service to the Environmental Studies program, SIPCE , the University, the profession, and surrounding communities.

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. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm) .

Department/CollegeBackground

The School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement ( SIPCE ) within the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provides an academic home for interdisciplinary programs that address complex social, cultural, environmental, and organizational challenges through innovative teaching, research, and community engagement. SIPCE brings together programs including Environmental Studies, Public Heritage, Medical and Health Humanities, Human Dimensions of Organizations, and Multidisciplinary Studies, creating opportunities for collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries. Central to the School’s mission is the integration of academic knowledge with experiential learning, community partnerships, and applied research that responds to the distinctive needs and opportunities of the Rio Grande Valley region. SIPCE seeks to strengthen its role as a hub for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarship, student-centered education, and community-engaged research, fostering collaborations among faculty, students, community organizations, governmental and nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Social Science, Human Ecology, Sustainability Studies, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Environmental Policy, Political Science, Urban or Regional Planning, Environmental Humanities, or a closely related interdisciplinary field. Applicants who are ABD at the time of application will be considered, provided that all requirements for the doctoral degree are completed and the degree is officially conferred prior to September 1, 2027. Candidates must demonstrate preparation to teach undergraduate courses in Environmental Studies and courses related to their area of specialization, as well as evidence of, or clear potential for, an active program of scholarly research addressing the human dimensions of environmental or sustainability challenges. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary academic environment and a commitment to student mentorship and success. The successful candidate should have the capacity to contribute to the teaching, research, service, and community-engagement mission of the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates whose teaching and research demonstrate a strong engagement with environmental policy, governance, and decision-making, particularly as they relate to complex transboundary environmental and sustainability challenges. The most competitive candidates will demonstrate several of the following qualifications:

• Experience with community-engaged scholarship, participatory research, knowledge co-production, or collaborative approaches involving community organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, or other stakeholders.

• Experience developing or participating in applied research projects that translate scholarship into policy, planning, community action, or other forms of public impact.

• Demonstrated commitment to student mentorship and experiential learning, including undergraduate research, internships, community-based projects, or other high-impact educational practices.

• Interest in developing collaborative research and educational initiatives addressing environmental and sustainability challenges relevant to the Rio Grande Valley, the U.S.–Mexico border region, and/or the Gulf region.

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date09/01/2027

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date10/02/2026

Close Date11/01/2026

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/52611

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Writing / Publication Sample

• Curriculum Vitae

• Unofficial Transcripts

• List of 3 References

• Letter of Interest

Optional Documents