Job Description

Minimum Qualifications
The candidate must have a Ph.D. in geology, geoscience, environmental science, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
Evidence of university-level teaching experience in a relevant area

Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)
We are seeking a candidate whose research broadly covers critical minerals and low-temperature/aqueous geochemistry. A strong commitment to undergraduate education, mentoring undergraduate research, and developing an externally funded research program is desired.
License/Certification Required
N/A
Description of the Department or Unit
The Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University is undergraduate-only with 22 faculty members and more than 300 students majoring in geology or environmental science. The Department and the College of Arts and Sciences possess an array of analytical and field equipment that supports faculty and student research. More information about the Department is available on our website (https://earth.appstate.edu). Appalachian State is a comprehensive R2 university located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and is a member of the University of North Carolina System.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This candidate will develop and teach upper-level undergraduate courses on: 1) critical minerals, and 2) aqueous or environmental geochemistry. Additional teaching responsibilities may include supporting one or more existing courses such as: Global Biogeochemical Cycles (GES 3310), introductory lectures and/or labs, or research/field methods classes (GES 2750/2751/2752), depending on the candidate’s area of expertise.
Type of Position Full Time Position
Appointment Type 1.0
Number Of Months Per Year 9
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Posting Details Information
Proposed Date of Hire 08/16/2027
Suggested Salary Range Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABD Consideration: No ABD consideration (see desc. below)
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate’s salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered, applications must include:
A cover letter (maximum two pages)
Curriculum vitae
Teaching statement (maximum two pages, with emphasis on the courses to be taught),
Statement of research interests (maximum two pages)
Unofficial copies of transcripts of all college and university work (official copies due upon employment)
The names and contact information (including e-mail) of three referees familiar with the applicant’s teaching and/or scholarship.

Additional materials will not be considered in the review of applications.

Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Sarah Carmichael, at 828-262-8471 or [email protected].

Review of completed applications will begin October 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.