Assistant Professor - Geography

Texas Tech University; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Geography to begin 1 September 2027. The department seeks candidates whose research investigates resource scarcity, spatial patterns, and the physical and socioeconomic consequences across scales, with emphasis on field-based measurements, GIS, remote sensing, and mixed methods.

Applicants should have a PhD by the appointment date, a strong research record, and the ability to

Qualifications

• PhD required by the time of appointment in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Earth Science or related field.
• Demonstrated record of publications and presentations in the field.
• Ability to develop and sustain externally funded research programs.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the teaching mission of the department.
• Mentor graduate students.
• Develop a record of peer‑reviewed research.
• Build an externally funded research program.
• Provide service to the department, college, and university and your professional community.

Skills

Teaching experience

Mentor graduate students

Strong research record

Grant writing

Education

PhD in Geography or related field

Tools

GIS

Remote sensing

Spatial data analysis

Job description

Assistant Professor - Geography
Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX

Type: Full-Time
Category: Geography
Military
Assistant Professor - Geography

46349BR

Position DescriptionThe Department of Geosciences in the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor to begin 1 September 2027.Resource scarcity and the consequences of differential availability, distribution and competition for natural resources is driven by factors that may include population growth and migration, consumption, environmental change and management strategies, and has an array of divergent physical, social and economic outcomes for communities. Texas Tech, in Lubbock on the Southern High Plans, sits in the heart of a geographic area marked by both abundance and scarcity of natural resources that impact communities large- to small. Texas Tech is placing itself at the forefront of research and scholarly excellence for exploring ways to make our region and the world more resilient and adaptable in the face of ever-changing resource availability. We seek a scholar whose research investigates the spatial patterns, processes, and drivers of critical resource depletion, and the physical and socioeconomic consequences across scales. We welcome applications from Geographers whose research methods are rooted in field-based measurements and experiments, but encourage inclusion of various methodological approaches, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data science, remote sensing, and mixed methods and qualitative research. Linkages to major federal science missions in community resilience and adaptability, particularly in semi-arid environments and under changing environmental conditions, and the environmental sustainability of rural communities in resource-rich and -poor communities would be advantageous. All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Position Description
The Department of Geosciences in the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor to begin 1 September 2027.

Resource scarcity and the consequences of differential availability, distribution and competition for natural resources is driven by factors that may include population growth and migration, consumption, environmental change and management strategies, and has an array of divergent physical, social and economic outcomes for communities. Texas Tech, in Lubbock on the Southern High Plans, sits in the heart of a geographic area marked by both abundance and scarcity of natural resources that impact communities large- to small. Texas Tech is placing itself at the forefront of research and scholarly excellence for exploring ways to make our region and the world more resilient and adaptable in the face of ever-changing resource availability.

We seek a scholar whose research investigates the spatial patterns, processes, and drivers of critical resource depletion, and the physical and socioeconomic consequences across scales. We welcome applications from Geographers whose research methods are rooted in field-based measurements and experiments, but encourage inclusion of various methodological approaches, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data science, remote sensing, and mixed methods and qualitative research. Linkages to major federal science missions in community resilience and adaptability, particularly in semi-arid environments and under changing environmental conditions, and the environmental sustainability of rural communities in resource-rich and -poor communities would be advantageous.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

About the University
Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students. Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas - hard work, grit and authenticity - the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.

About the College
Founded in 1925 as one of the university's four original colleges, the College of Arts & Sciences is comprised of 15 departments and one program, offering a wide variety of courses and programs in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, and natural sciences. The College has approximately 10,000 students enrolled representing more than a quarter of the overall Texas Tech University student population while maintaining a 22:1 student to faculty ratio

About the Department/School/Area
The Department of Geosciences offers BS and BA degrees in Geosciences, and, Geography and the Environment, MS degrees in Geosciences, Geography and the Environment and Atmospheric Sciences, and a PhD; we also offer certificates in GIST. Our ~35 tenure-track faculty and instructors serve ~100 graduate students and ~150 undergraduate majors. Our research profile transcends the fields of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, with a growing emphasis on societal impact of Earth-systems.

The Geography and the Environment Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and the Environment, an undergraduate certificate in GIST, Master of Science in Geography and the Environment, a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology, and the Ph. D. in Geosciences (geography track). Faculty center their teaching around their research, which is centered around spatial-temporal analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental science and the study of human-environment interaction, providing students with technical skills and hands‑on‑experience needed to address many of the problems facing our modern society and real world challenges.

Major/Essential Functions
In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with a breadth of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

As a faculty member in the Department of Geosciences, you will be expected you will be expected to:

• Contribute to the teaching mission of the department
• Mentor graduate students
• Develop a record of peer-reviewed research
• Build an externally funded research program
• Provide service to the department, college, and university and your professional community.

Faculty Qualifications

• Completion (by the time of the appointment) of a Ph. D. in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Earth Science or a related field.
• A record of publications and presentations in their field, including conference presentations, extended abstracts and peer-reviewed articles.
• Demonstrated or a record indicative of the ability to build and sustain a nationally recognized and externally funded research program as measured by an applicant's preparation and submission of proposals to competitive scholarship, fellowship and research-supporting funding opportunities, or experience contributing to the development of funding proposals for submission to federal or state agencies, industry and private sector sponsors, or non-governmental foundations.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Demonstrable knowledge in the geography of resource scarcity.
• A research program that aligns with one of Texas Tech's current major research themes, which include systems resilience and adaptability, powering our future, advancing One Health, urban & rural development and community resilience.
• Evidence of teaching experience, and professional development to prepare the successful applicant to teach graduate and undergraduate courses in Physical Geography, Environmental Science and their sub-field of expertise.
• Participation in mentoring programs and experience to position the candidate to be a successful mentor of undergraduate, M.S. and Ph. D. students.
• Success participation in multi-disciplinary teams to contribute to successful research outcomes such as publications, proposals, or projects co-authored with collaborators from at least one discipline outside the candidate's own, OR participation in interdisciplinary centers, working groups, or community and agency partnerships.
• Research attentive to spatial scale, place-based context, or comparative analysis in the study of resource scarcity and environmental change, employing field methods and geospatial technologies.

Duty Point

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities