Assistant Professor – Earth Surface Dynamics Geophysicist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Natural Hazards (NH)
Seismology (SM)
Assistant Professor – Earth Surface Dynamics Geophysicist
Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change in the School of Earth, Society, and Environment (https://earth.illinois.edu/) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the flagship campus of the University of Illinois System, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Earth Surface Dynamics, with an emphasis on near-surface geophysics. We seek a scientist whose research addresses the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape the Earth’s surface and near-surface environments—processes that influence water resources, landscape evolution, ecosystem health, and the mitigation of natural hazards. The full-time, 9-month (academic year) tenure-track faculty appointment is at the Assistant Professor level with a target start date of August 16, 2026.
We are particularly interested in candidates who use near-surface geophysical methods—such as seismic, potential field, geodetic, and/or remote sensing techniques—to investigate shallow subsurface structures and link surface processes to deep-time geological or climatic phenomena. We welcome applicants whose work integrates field-based geophysical observations with computational or mathematical modeling, and fosters interdisciplinary connections across hydrology, geomorphology, critical zone science, atmospheric sciences, and engineering. Successful candidates will demonstrate experience with fostering or the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative teaching, learning, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive. They will also advance the educational mission of the University of Illinois, a land-grant institution committed to access, education, research, and service and to addressing challenges at both local and global scales.
This position will integrate with campus-wide strategic initiatives and will contribute to both fundamental research and applied challenges related to:
Sustainable water resources and groundwater systems
Subsurface carbon storage and climate adaptation
Landslides, erosion, and sediment transport
Soil development and land surface evolution
Earthquake and volcanic hazards and ground deformation
We have an active and successful dual-career partner placement program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff http://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/.
To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized, externally funded research program; teach at least two courses within the Geology curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels; contribute to undergraduate and graduate research and mentoring; and collaborate across disciplines to address pressing environmental and societal issues. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative teaching, learning, departmental, and research environment where all can thrive. They will advance the educational mission of the University of Illinois, a land-grant institution committed to access, education, research, and service and to addressing challenges at both local and global scales.
Synergy with Campus Excellence Themes and Strengths: The successful candidate will benefit from existing strengths within the Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change: surface environments and landscapes, tectonics, geophysics, and geodynamics; within the School of Earth, Society, & Environment; and across campus: the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, data science programs in Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering, and fluid dynamics, surface environments and earthquake hazards research in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical Science and Engineering. Excellent opportunities also exist for collaborations with the United States Geological Survey, Illinois Prairie Research Institute (https://prairie.illinois.edu) and Illinois State Geological Survey (https://isgs.illinois.edu/ ).
Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent international degree in Geology or a related field by mid-June 2026 for a preferred start date of Aug 16, 2026. Applicants must show evidence of research productivity and evidence or promise of developing teaching and mentorship effectiveness at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $85,000 to $95,000 at the Assistant Professor level, for a 9-month service basis. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate, including equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs. It is not typical for a beginning Assistant Professor to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for the position.
Application: To apply, create your candidate profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu and submit application materials by October 1, 2025.
Required documents:
Cover letter that details suitability for, and interest in, the position
Curriculum Vitae
Up to three representative publications
Statement of Research Interests
Statement of Teaching Experience and Goals
Names and email addresses for three professional references
We ask that all documents be uploaded in a single .pdf file as an upload in the “Resume/CV” section. Only applications submitted through the University of Illinois Job Board will be considered.
Questions about the position can be directed to search committee chair Prof. Patricia Gregg, pgregg@illinois.edu, phone: (217) 333-3540.
Questions regarding the application materials may be directed to lascollegehiring@illinois.edu.
For questions regarding the application portal, please contact 217-333-2137 or jobs@illinois.edu.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.