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Title Information

Faculty TitleAssistant Professor

Job Class Code10031

FLSAExempt

Position Information

Posting NumberFRGV1936

Working TitleAssistant Professor – Climate Science and Resilience - SEEMS

Number of Vacancies1

LocationBrownsville, Texas

Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position

Tenure StatusTenure Track

FTE1

Scope of Job

We seek applicants dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s student body as an Assistant Professor of the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences ( SEEMS ) beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. Located in the subtropical Rio Grande Valley in South Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, UTRGV is positioned in a region highly susceptible to drought, predicted water shortages, and other extreme weather events, which significantly impact both agricultural and ecological systems. The successful candidate will contribute to a rapidly expanding academic program focused on climate science and resilience, emphasizing sustainable solutions for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Collaboration with faculty tackling key environmental, agricultural, and water resources and watershed issues, locally and beyond, is expected. We expect the successful candidate to acquire external funding from organizations like the NSF , NOAA , and other environmental agencies while working closely with local communities and stakeholders. We seek candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas, including but not limited to climate science, climate adaptation strategies, transboundary water resources, ecosystem resilience, environmental restoration, paleoclimate, and climate modeling, while addressing challenges posed by extreme weather and climate variability.

The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) teach undergraduate and graduate courses in climate science and resilience, covering topics such as climate-related ecosystem and environmental resilience, climate change mitigation strategies, and climate modeling principles; 2) develop an active, externally-funded research program that engages undergraduate, graduate students, and postdocs through mentorship and hands-on learning; and 3) seek and secure external funding to develop a robust research program centered on climate change mitigation and adaptation. This research should address critical challenges such as drought, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and long-term (century-scale) transboundary water balance, offering solutions that promote sustainability and enhance resilience in the affected region and associated ecosystems and communities.

About UTRGV :

UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.

Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.

UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. Already recognized as one of the premier Hispanic Serving Institutions in the U.S., UTRGV has recently achieved R2 Carnegie research classification and is aiming to attain R1 status by 2028. For additional information, please visit the UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm)

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. from an accredited university in Geosciences, Earth and Environmental Science, Climate Science, or closely related disciplines. Successful candidates will demonstrate potential for forming interdisciplinary collaborations and the ability to involve both undergraduate and graduate students in research activities. Postdoctoral experience is an essential requirement for this position.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

License or Certification Required?No

SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Desired Start Date09/01/2026

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date11/21/2025

Close Date01/19/2026

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/49444

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Teaching Philosophy

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Unofficial Transcripts

+ List of 3 References

+ Letter of Interest

+ Research Statement

Optional Documents