Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (LA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University seeks an Academic Unit Head (Geology & Environmental Science) to begin July 1, 2027. This tenure-track 12-month administrative role may include teaching, research, and leadership within the department, with review beginning Nov 2, 2026 and open until filled.

The AUH will guide recruitment, uphold undergraduate teaching excellence, and advance workforce readiness, research, and service within a vibrant public university setting in Virginia.

Qualifications

• PhD in geosciences required.
• Record of teaching, research and service commensurate with the rank.
• Experience with federally funded research programs.
• Experience supervising undergraduate/graduate students.
• Evidence of effective undergraduate geoscience teaching.
• Experience supporting geosciences within liberal arts education.
• Budgeting experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration and effectiveness of the academic unit.
• Lead department in recruitment, teaching excellence, and workforce readiness.
• Promote priorities of the department, the college, and the university.
• Support faculty scholarship and staff development.
• Foster a collegial and collaborative culture within the department.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum design

Grant management

Student recruitment

Undergraduate teaching

Budget management

Education

PhD in geosciences

Job description

Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science

Working Title: Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics

Department: 100024 - Geology and Environmental Science

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Is this a JMU only position?: No

Is this a grant-funded position?: No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?: No

Beginning Review Date: 11/2/2026

About JMU

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

James Madison University (JMU) invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head (AUH) of the Department of Geology & Environmental Science, to begin July 1, 2027. This is a tenure track, 12-month, primarily administrative position at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, with opportunities to teach, conduct research, and/or lead in their discipline. Application review will begin November 2, 2026, and the position is open until filled.

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science at James Madison University offers bachelor's degrees in Geology and Environmental Earth Science for approximately 110 majors in our multi-track baccalaureate-only program, as well as minors in Geology, Climate Science, and Geophysics. In addition, we support interdisciplinary minors in Environmental Science and Data Analytics and prepare students for Earth Science teaching careers. We also offer a capstone summer field course. Faculty teach within the major and contribute significantly to General Education at JMU. Our students find placement in private sector and public service careers, and graduate studies through a strong network of professional and alumni connections.

Our 15 full-time and three adjunct faculty members engage in teaching and research in the areas of Solid Earth Materials and Tectonics; Climate and Ocean Science; Paleobiology, Environmental and Engineering Geology; and Geoscience Education and Geoheritage. Our faculty are supported by two full-time staff members and we have additional support in grant administration, scientific computing, and media design.

Duties and Responsibilities

The AUH is responsible for the administration and overall effectiveness of the academic unit, including its academic programs, faculty, classified personnel, scholarship, budget, and resources. The AUH will lead the department within a student-centered research university that continues its long-standing emphasis on excellence in undergraduate teaching and workforce readiness.

We seek an AUH with a strong understanding of the national trends and trajectories in undergraduate education and scholarship in the geosciences. The AUH will guide the department in recruitment efforts to increase the number of students with majors in the department. They must demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of undergraduate-teaching excellence, authentic research experiences, strategies for workforce readiness for graduates, a keen interest in faculty and staff development, and support of faculty scholarship. The successful candidate will also promote, support, and advance the priorities of the department, the college, and the university.

Qualifications

• A PhD or doctorate in the geosciences
• A record of research, teaching and service commensurate with the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at JMU
• A record of a federally- or externally-funded research program
• A record of supervision of undergraduate and/or graduate research students
• Evidence of effective teaching within the geosciences at the undergraduate level
• Evidence of supporting the geosciences as part of a general or a liberal arts education
• Experience with budgets and budgetary processes

The department is especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate the following preferred qualifications:

• Strategies for student recruitment and retention
• Interest in supporting innovation in teaching and curriculum design
• Support for research infrastructure and activities commensurate with the R2 level
• Commitment to faculty and staff development
• Experience advocating for a unit or organization
• Evidence of support for and/or involvement in outreach programs
• Experience in management and evaluation of people in an academic setting
• Demonstrated ability to advance a collegial and collaborative culture that empowers faculty and students

Additional Posting Information

Scholarship is valued in various forms across all geoscience disciplines. We have a strong history of supporting undergraduate research including grant-funded student research opportunities and internships. Faculty and students regularly publish in peer-reviewed journals, present their research at national and regional conferences, and we organize an annual student research symposium. The department has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and field equipment to support the scholarly and educational pursuits of faculty and students. Our campus is embedded within a region of exceptional geological opportunities for both field-based teaching and research.

The department is involved in multiple outreach and community engagement efforts. The JMU Mineral Museum welcomes thousands of visitors annually, including school and club groups. The department has cultivated a partnership