Job Details

Teaching Assistant Professor Position

The Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering (DGSE) at the University of Nevada, Reno invites applications for a continuing, full-time (12-month, non-tenure track) Teaching Assistant Professor position starting in August 2026. Building on strengths in field and lab-based teaching and research, the undergraduate and graduate programs offered by DGSE aim to train students to solve societally relevant problems from multi-disciplinary perspectives and to be technically proficient geoscientists for diverse industries. We are looking for a candidate who can contribute to this mission by teaching a range of lower and upper division undergraduate courses and potentially contribute to graduate level instruction. Courses may include introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, petrography, geochemistry, earth resources, as well as service courses for non-majors, according to the candidate's background. The expected teaching load is from 4 to 6 courses per year and required mode of course delivery is in-person, but will follow temporary alternate operations as adopted by University administration. Applicants are encouraged to consult our undergraduate and graduate curricula linked in the Department Information provided below.

The position will also have a strong service component tied to the undergraduate Geology curriculum, including student advisement, overseeing teaching labs and associated teaching collections, curriculum development and enhancement. Other possible service components include supervising independent study or research projects, membership on department committees, and involvement with student clubs and organizations. We seek someone who will complement the existing strengths in our department, and who will help develop connections with potential employers, the Geological Society of Nevada and similar local geoscience organizations. The University provides a clear promotion pathway for teaching faculty that includes regular review, and base salary increases upon promotion.

Lecturer Statement

The University of Nevada, Reno reserves the right to hire at any level of Lecturer (I-II) or Teaching Assistant/Teaching Associate Professor (terminal degree candidates) that is appropriate for the hire. If you have questions about title, please inquire during the interview process.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. or an M.S. and equivalent experience, in an area of Earth Sciences from an accredited university by May 30, 2026. Applicants must be strongly committed to excellence in teaching and student mentoring as well as have a demonstrated interest in innovative teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who have experience and/or interest in teaching mineralogy and petrology at the undergraduate level.

Compensation Grade

Teaching Assistant Professor (Salary range: $75,522 - $116,227)

Remarkable Retirement!

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options.
• Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University.
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee's spouse or domestic partner.

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples' professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

Department Information

The Department is part of the dynamic Nevada Geosciences community housed within the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering (MSESE). Nevada Geosciences also includes two state-funded Earth Science units, the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and the Nevada Seismological Laboratory that participate in the Departments teaching mission and graduate programs. Two additional teaching Departments within MSESE, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering and Geography also interface with graduate and minor degree programs in the Department. We offer BS degrees in Geology, Geophysics, Hydrogeology and Geological Engineering. We offer MS degrees in Geology, Geophysics, and Geological Engineering, and PhD's in Geology, Geophysics and Mineral Resource Engineering (joint with Mining), and many faculty also participate in the degrees offered through the interdisciplinary Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences. More information about the Department can be found at

Contact Information

Beth Jacobsen at 775-###-#### or ...@unr.edu

Attach the following attachments to your application:

• Curriculum Vita
• Cover Letter. Please include in your application letter a list of courses you are most interested in teaching and a statement describing how you would contribute to our mission of fostering a supportive environment through your teaching and/or service in two (2) pages or less.
• Contact Information for Three Professional References
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy and summary of past teaching evaluations, if applicable. (Maximum 3-page or less).

Full Consideration

The position will remain open until filled with preference given to applications received by January 15, 2026. This posting is open until filled. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member's first day of employment. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.