Southern California HERC

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a tenure track position in Soil Science/Pedology at the rank of Assistant Professor. The successful candidate will develop a nationally-recognized research program focused on how soils form and function spanning landscape, regional, and microscales in both natural and/or managed ecosystems. Expertise spanning from soil mineralogy, soil morphology, soil biogeochemistry, and soil geomorphology and their related approaches is desired. Research may include, but not limited to, the role of soils in biogeochemical and ecosystem functions; using the soil record to interpret past climatic, geomorphic, and environmental conditions; soil processes that affect air and water quality; disturbed land reclamation; landscape distribution of soil biogeochemical processes; and evaluation of regional scale soil and land use issues. The incumbent will be encouraged to collaborate with current faculty in related fields including hydrology, atmospheric science, geomorphology, biogeochemistry and isotope biogeochemistry, environmental microbiology/soil biology, and ecosystem sciences. The successful candidate is expected to engage fully in the teaching mission of the department and university, including formal classroom instruction in the Environmental Sciences undergraduate and graduate degree programs (including mentoring of both M.S. and Ph.D. students). Teaching responsibilities will include teaching 1) Introduction to Soil Science (ENSC-100); 2) an undergraduate class in soil morphology, genesis, and classification (ENSC-138/139); and 3) graduate instruction in the candidate's area of specialty. A Ph.D. in soil science, or related field, and a proven ability to conduct innovative research are required. A broad educational background and research experience in soil science is expected, along with supporting education in Earth and ecosystem sciences. The appointment will consist of a split 0.4 FTE I&R (Instruction and Research) and 0.6 FTE OR (Organized Research) appointment in the Agricultural Experiment Station (https://cnas.ucr.edu/resources/agricultural-experiment-station). The anticipated start date is July 01, 2024.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification. Evaluation of applications will begin on November 1, 2023, but the position will remain open until filled. Applicants should submit the following materials online (http://aprecruit.riverside.edu/JPF01791 ): 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vita, 3) transcripts, 4) statement of research interests, 5) statement of teaching interests, 6) statement of contributions to diversity, and 7) contact information for 3-5 references. For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Peter Homyak, Chair of Search Committee, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside; peter.homyak1@ucr.edu.