Assistant/Associate Professor of Critical Mineral Geology

The University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Start-up funding

Access to advanced facilities

Collaborative research centers

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Critical Mineral Geology. We welcome candidates in all geoscience sub-disciplines, with emphasis on formation mechanisms and sustainable mineral resources.

The ideal candidate will develop an independent research program in petrologic, geochemical, and mineralogical characterization, integrate quantitative modeling or data-driven approaches, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Geosciences or closely related field.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Publish in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
• Secure external funding for an independent research program.
• Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

Skills

Teaching effectiveness

Mentoring

Research leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Geosciences or closely related field

Tools

XRD

XRF

ICP-MS

EPMA

SEM

TEM

FT-IR

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Job Summary

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Science, at the University of Texas at Arlington, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Critical Mineral Geology. We will also consider exceptional candidates at the rank of Associate Professor. While candidates from all sub-disciplines of geoscience are encouraged to apply, we are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in understanding the formation mechanisms as well as the petrological and geochemical attributes of sustainable critical mineral resources. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to teach advanced field-based geology and establish an active research program in petrologic, geochemical, and mineralogical characterization. We especially welcome candidates who incorporate modern quantitative frameworks—such as transport and reactive transport modeling, thermodynamic modeling, or data-driven exploration—into sustainable critical mineral research. Our research infrastructure features exceptional analytical capabilities, including the Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies (housing the Center for Environmental, Forensics, and Material Science) equipped with XRD, XRF, ICP -MS, and EPMA and a departmental ultraclean laboratory. Additional advanced characterization facilities, including the Characterization Center for Materials and Biology, offer access to SEM, TEM, FT-IR spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Geosciences or a closely related field. Candidates will be evaluated based on their research achievements, teaching effectiveness, and professional service, in accordance with University of Texas at Arlington standards.

Assistant Professor

Candidates must demonstrate clear potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program in critical mineral geology, supported by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications. The ideal candidate will show a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and M.S. and Ph.D. students mentoring. Postdoctoral or equivalent professional experience is strongly preferred.

Associate Professor

Candidates must possess an established track record of research excellence and national visibility in the discipline. Requirements include a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications, a proven history of securing competitive external grant funding (e.g., NSF, DOE, USGS, or industry partners), and documented excellence in university-level teaching. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of guiding M.S. and Ph.D. students through to graduation and active participation in university and professional service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research, national laboratory, or relevant industry experience (strongly preferred for Assistant Professor applicants).


• Demonstrated expertise in combining field geology, laboratory analysis, and data-driven techniques (such as computational modeling or artificial intelligence) to study sustainable critical mineral systems.


• A track record of, or strong potential for, securing external research funding from diverse sources, including federal agencies (e.g., NSF, DOE, USGS) and industry partners.


• Proven ability to build interdisciplinary research collaborations spanning geosciences, environmental science, materials science, chemistry, or engineering.


• Experience designing field- or laboratory-based courses that support the Geology curriculum and create synergies with the Environmental Science degree program.


• For Associate Professor rank, demonstrated leadership in building collaborative research centers, managing multi-investigator grants, or mentoring early-career faculty.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Faculty in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences are expected to maintain an active research agenda by publishing in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, securing competitive external grants, and mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Competitive start-up packages are provided to help new faculty rapidly establish their research programs. Excellence in teaching is highly valued. Faculty are encouraged to continually refine their pedagogical methods through campus resources, including UTA’s Learning and Development programs and the STEM Education Research Collaboratorium and Resource Center. Service responsibilities include departmental committee leadership (e.g., graduate admissions, faculty search committees, colloquium series), university governance, and community outreach. Additionally, faculty are expected to contribute to the broader scientific community through peer review, national grant panels, and public engagement.