Assistant Professor of Watershed Science and Management

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington invites applications for a nine-month tenure-track Assistant Professor of Watershed Science and Management. The workload is 50% teaching, 40% research, 10% service and begins August 9, 2027.

The successful candidate will teach five courses per year (including EVS 195 and EVS 489), develop an active field-based research program, mentor undergraduates, and engage in interdisciplinary and community partnerships.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have the ability to teach courses in watershed science and management.
• Active, applied, field-based research program required.
• ABD considered; PhD by Aug 2027 preferred.
• Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences.

Responsibilities

• Teach five courses per year (fall and spring).
• Maintain and mentor undergraduate and non-thesis graduate students; collaborate across departments.
• Engage in community partnerships and service activities.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary teaching and departmental initiatives.

Skills

Teaching experience

Peer-reviewed publications

Conference presentations

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctoral degree by Aug 2027 in Watershed Science or related field

Job description

Assistant Professor of Watershed Science and Management

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington seeks to hire a nine-month tenure-track Assistant Professor of Watershed Science and Management starting 9 August 2027. The workload for this position is 50% teaching, 40% research, and 10% service.

This is not a remote position, and the candidate may need to teach both in person and online. The successful candidate is expected to teach 5 courses per year (fall and spring semesters). Courses taught will include Introduction to Environmental Sciences ( EVS 195), Wetlands Ecology and Management ( EVS 489), and one or more of the following courses:

• EVS 518: Fundamentals of Applied Environmental Research

This position requires a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring students through applied coursework and research. Candidates must maintain an active, applied, field-based research program that broadly informs watershed conservation and management and provides meaningful research opportunities for undergraduate and non-thesis graduate students. While supervision of thesis-based master’s or doctoral students is not a primary expectation, such opportunities may be available through collaborations with other departments or the Center for Marine Science. Scholars focused on theory or basic ecology/biology/physical science need not apply.

The successful candidate will also contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service and be expected to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment. Community-engaged research and partnerships with relevant stakeholders are encouraged.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Candidates may be ABD but must have a doctoral degree, or equivalent, in Watershed Science, Wetland Ecology, Wetland Management, Hydrology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field by 1 August 2027. Candidates must have experience teaching in a classroom setting, publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and presenting at conferences/symposia. Recent doctoral graduates and post-docs, academics with previous tenure-track experience, and non-academic professionals (e.g., nonprofit, federal or state government, or private sector careers) with a doctoral degree in a relevant field are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience: N/A

Required Certifications or Licensure: No Required Certifications or Licensure

Primary Function of Organizational Unit: The Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on the relationships among the social, physical, chemical, and biological aspects of natural and built environments. The department offers an interdisciplinary curriculum, drawing upon the resources of many related fields to provide the rigorous analysis necessary to understand environmental problems and formulate environmentally-sound solutions. Our curriculum inspires students to become active and engaged environmental stewards.

College/School Information: The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.

CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study.

University Information: The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement: UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment: Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Position Type: Permanent

Job Posting Date: 08/21/2026

Job Close Date: 11/05/2026

For questions concerning the search, please direct them to Dr. Joni Thomas Backstrom, Chair of the Search Committee, at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the online application process, contact Ms. Suzanne Mullins at [e-mail].