Assistant/Associate Professor - Stable Isotope Geochemistry

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Mexico invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Stable Isotope Geochemistry within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences on the Albuquerque campus. We seek a scientist using stable isotopic methods to address fundamental Earth or planetary questions, develop an externally funded program, and contribute to CSI.

Applicants should have a PhD by start date and will teach undergrad and grad courses, mentor students, and collaborate

Qualifications

• 1. PhD in geochemistry, geology, Earth/planetary sciences, chemistry, or related field by start date.
• Strong research record in stable isotope geochemistry (CV/statement).
• Ability to establish and sustain externally funded research in stable isotopes.
• Experience with isotope analysis methods, including IRMS and laser-based approaches.
• Experience operating stable isotope instrumentation: calibration, QC, maintenance, troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated potential to train others and collaborate within CSI.
• Proven teaching/mentoring ability for undergrad and grad programs.
• Commitment to NM cultures and UNM's community mission.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in geochemistry and related areas.
• Advise and mentor master's and doctoral students.
• Collaborate across disciplines and train users in stable isotope methods.
• Develop new analytical capabilities within CSI and contribute to instrument development.
• Participate in IsoCamp and potential leadership in CSI.

Education

PhD in geochemistry, geology, Earth/planetary sciences, chemistry, or related field

Job description

Posting Number

req37944

Employment Type

Faculty

Faculty Type

Open Rank

Hiring Department

Earth and Planetary Sciences E PS (133B)

Academic Location

College of Arts & Sciences

Campus

Main - Albuquerque, NM

Benefits Eligible

The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.

Position Summary

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry to begin in August 2027. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in geochemistry, geology, Earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, or a closely related discipline by the start date of the appointment. For best consideration, all application materials must be received by December 13, 2026.

We seek a scientist who uses stable isotopic methods to address fundamental questions about Earth or other planetary systems. The successful candidate will develop an independent, externally funded research program in stable isotope geochemistry and contribute to the intellectual environment and technical capabilities of the UNM Center for Stable Isotopes (CSI). The successful candidate will bring hands‑on experience with stable isotope instrumentation, laboratory techniques, and analytical workflows, ideally including isotope‑ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and one or more laser‑based approaches, such as laser spectroscopy, laser fluorination, laser ablation, compound‑specific isotope analysis, or related methods. We are particularly interested in scientists who thrive in the laboratory and are committed to advancing state‑of‑the-art analytical capabilities through instrument development, calibration, quality control, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The new faculty member will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in geochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, and related areas of Earth, planetary, or environmental science; advise and mentor master's and doctoral students; and participate in departmental and professional service. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty and students across disciplines, participate in training students and other users in stable isotope methods, and have opportunities to develop new analytical capabilities within CSI. They will also have opportunities to contribute to our two-week summer course, IsoCamp (isocamp.org), and pursue a leadership role in CSI.

CSI is an interdisciplinary research and analytical facility supporting stable isotope research across Earth and Planetary Sciences, Biology, Anthropology, Chemistry, and the Biomedical Sciences. The center provides broad access to instrumentation for measuring stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and chlorine in organic and inorganic materials, as well as hands‑on training in sample collection, preparation, analysis, and data interpretation. Its current infrastructure includes approximately 10 isotope‑ratio mass spectrometers capable of high‑precision analysis of triple oxygen isotope composition of solid substrates via laser ablation and fluorination or CO₂ via tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectroscopy, as well as carbon, nitrogen, or hydrogen isotope analysis of individual compounds (for example, alkanes and fatty or amino acids). The existing instrumentation, technical infrastructure, and interdisciplinary user community at CSI provide a strong foundation for building an internationally visible research program and developing collaborations across UNM and beyond. More detailed information is available at https://csi.unm.edu/center-stable-isotopes.

UNM is the premier research university in New Mexico, is a Carnegie Highest Research Activity Institution. Our campus is located in the heart of Albuquerque, which has cultural, outdoor and recreational opportunities for everyone. Learn more about our city, our welcoming campus, and research opportunities at http://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/ and https://advance.unm.edu/why-unm/. For more information regarding the College of Arts and Science's ambitious hiring plan, including a list of departments that are hiring faculty members with shared interests, please see this page.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Ph.D. in geochemistry, geology, Earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Record of research and publication in stable isotope geochemistry as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 2. Demonstrated potential to establish and sustain an externally funded research program in stable isotope geochemistry as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 3. Experience with stable isotope analytical techniques, including isotope‑ratio mass spectrometry and one or more laser‑based isotope analytical approaches as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 4. Experience with the operation and stewardship of stable isotope analytical instrumentation, including calibration, quality control, maintenance, and troubleshooting as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 5. Evidence of the ability to contribute to the scientific and educational mission of the UNM Center for Stable Isotopes through development or application of analytical capabilities, hands‑on training, and/or collaborative use of laboratory facilities as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 6. Evidence of effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring, or demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring, including the ability to contribute to the broader geoscience curriculum beyond the candidate's primary area of specialization as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.


• 7. A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

For Best Consideration

For best consideration, please apply by 12/13/2026. This position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.