Full-Time Faculty Position in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Assistant Professor

Organisation/Company

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA

Research Field

Environmental science
Geosciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United States

Application Deadline

20 Mar 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Full-Time Faculty Position in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Assistant Professor

Programme: Earth and Environmental Sciences (two positions)

School: School of Arts and Sciences

Reports to: Associate Dean, Khorog Campus

Duty station: Khorog, Tajikistan Application

Deadline: 20 March 2025 Commencement

Date: September 1st, 2025

Contract Period: Fixed term for 2 years, renewable with potential transition to open-ended contract after 2 years

Position Summary

Position I) Earth Sciences

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences seeks a scientist with broad interests in Earth sciences (structural geology, sedimentology, geomorphology, surface processes…) and natural and mineral resources. The successful candidate will teach related courses for undergraduate students and will build active research in the field of study. Knowledge in remote sensing and GIS is an asset.

Position II) Water, Environment, Natural Hazards

We seek a broadly focused environmental scientist, physical geographer, or hydrologist, interested in teaching courses in environmental science, environmental impact assessment, climate change, atmosphere science, cryosphere science, environmental communications and hydrology. Candidates with interest in cold region hydrology and the cryosphere in a changing climate, who can link climatic drivers with hydrological response in the context of land management and dynamic landscapes, are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate should also have practical skills in remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and spatial analysis with an emphasis on how recent innovations in remote sensing fit with sustainable environmental management methods.

Desirable Attributes

Teaching: Ability to work independently, as well as within a teaching team; flexibility and the ability to work in a new and evolving academic environment is essential. Experience in teaching in Central Asia or in a developing country would be an asset. A demonstrated commitment to teaching students at the undergraduate level. Experience using innovative teaching and evaluation methods.

Curriculum Development: Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the Earth and Environmental Sciences curriculum, ensuring it remains at the forefront of global advancements in the field.

Research: Develop individual research initiatives that align with UCA’s mission to drive regional development, especially in the areas of technology, innovation, and sustainability and contribute to joint research initiatives with senior faculty and with industrial partners regionally and internationally.
Collaboration and community engagement: Engage with and learn from other academic programs at UCA, particularly those focused on Climate Change, Surface Processes, Water Policy and geodynamics of orogenic belts, through UCA’s Graduate School of Development.

About UCA’s Academic Programmes

UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences combines the best of a student-centred liberal arts environment with the intellectual rigor of a research university. The faculty is committed to offering an inclusive, engaging, and dynamic academic experience, delivered in English, to ensure that students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to both regional and global challenges. UCA encourages collaborative teaching, especially across disciplines such as Economics, Media and Communications, and Computer Sciences, which provides opportunities for faculty to engage in a wide range of cross-disciplinary research.

Our Graduate School of Development is actively developing postgraduate programmes and focuses on research in areas such as Environmental issues, Climate Change and Sustainability in Mountainous areas. This provides additional opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, allowing faculty to engage with and contribute to global developments in these fields.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme Overview

The Earth and Environmental Sciences programme at UCA provides a broad scientifically focused curriculum grounded in relevant social and cultural issues important in mountain regions of Central Asia and beyond. It provides a rigorous foundation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences, while enabling students to have flexibility to choose courses and undertake research in specialized areas of interest. The transdisciplinary curriculum covers geosciences, environmental sciences, and related social sciences. At its foundation are core courses in natural sciences together with requisite courses in the humanities and social sciences. The strength of the programme lies in its breadth and cross-disciplinary nature with specific areas of study in hydrology, geodynamics, ecology, and environmental policy and abundant opportunities for field trips in the proximate mountains. An overarching theme of the EES Program is understanding the environmental and earth science processes that shape mountain settings, as well as how these interact with mountain communities and livelihoods. Some of the practical topics covered include sustainable management of natural resources; natural hazard mitigation; food security; climate change adaptation; water resources and sustainable energy alternatives. Students receive practical training outside of the classroom in laboratory exercises, summer internships, and in a senior project (diploma thesis), which prepares them for career opportunities or graduate study in earth and environmental science fields.

UCA Background: The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; ratified by their respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities, by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education and becoming a leading research university in the region and internationally. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network. For more information: www.ucentralasia.org

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. from a reputable university with specialization in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a clear potential for high-level research, particularly in collaborative settings. 
• Fluency in English is required. 
• Potential to develop a profile of national and international repute in research publication, knowledge exchange, impact and grant capture.

Why Join UCA?

• Impactful Teaching and Research: Contribute to an academic institution that is dedicated to fostering innovation and development in Central Asia and beyond.
• Collaboration and Growth: Be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary academic environment, with opportunities for collaboration and research across multiple fields of societal relevance.
• Regional Leadership: Lead the development of innovative solutions to regional challenges in technology, data science, and digital policy.
• Support for Female Scholars: UCA is deeply committed to supporting female scholars in STEM fields, providing opportunities to further advance gender equity in academia

Teaching experience requirements:

• Demonstrated subject knowledge across diverse core and elective courses;
• A demonstrated commitment to teaching and student learning experience. Teaching experience at the undergraduate level is expected, including as Teaching Assistant during previous studies.
• Willingness to and/or experience of using innovative teaching methods and evaluation methodologies.
• Engage with the development of postgraduate programmes. 

Research experience requirements:

• Potential for development of an international research profile, including through 1-2 publications or publication plans linked to doctoral thesis or other work.
• Experience in knowledge exchange, developmental impact, collaborative research projects and grant capture would be beneficial and a willingness to develop these attributes essential.
• Awareness of current and future industry trends and a willingness to engage with the public and private sector.
• Interest in publishing research papers and working on research projects with undergraduate students.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application (cover letter, CV and contact information of three references) by 20 March 2025. 

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Review other job vacancies at: https://tinyurl.com/3yhe9wkt

How to Apply

Ready to join our team? We kindly invite you to submit your application for this position by clicking the Apply button on this page. To facilitate a smooth application process, please create an account on our website. Be assured that the account setup and application steps are straightforward.

At the application stage, you should submit the following documents: 

• Cover letter 
• Up-to-date resume
• List of published work and link to the google scholar profile 
• List of at least three references who may comment on your teaching/research experience 
• Teaching evaluations (if applicable) 

Candidates from the founding countries of UCA: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan are encouraged to apply for the position.

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Review other job vacancies at: https://ucentralasia.org/career-opportunities .

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/388505/full-time-faculty-p…

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA

Country

United States

City

Khorog, Tajikistan

Geofield

City

Khorog, Tajikistan

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