Assistant Professor of Geosciences (Vertebrate Paleontology)

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Dept. of Geosciences seeks innovative, cross-disciplinary candidates for a tenure-track faculty position in Vertebrate Paleontology, with a focus on remains preserved in permafrost. The successful candidate will also serve as Director of the Alaska Quaternary Center (AQC). This is a joint appointment between the College of Natural Science and Mathematics (75%) and the Geophysical Institute (25%). Faculty positions have a 9 month base appointment with an extension of up to 3 months supported by external funding (if available).

The successful candidate will be expected to teach 3 classes per year in the Department of Geosciences, develop a rigorous externally-funded research program through the Geophysical Institute, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and raise the profile of the AQC through service and outreach activities. We welcome applicants whose research will benefit from and complement our major programs and facilities, including the undergraduate Paleontology concentration, graduate Earth Systems Science program, University of Alaska Museum of the North, AURORA Radiocarbon Lab, and Alaska Stable Isotope Facility.

To thrive in this role, the candidate must design and deliver interactive, place-based undergraduate and graduate courses, establish cross-disciplinary collaborations with Quaternary researchers at state and federal institutes and agencies, and conduct field- and museum-based research. Teaching responsibilities will include stacked graduate/undergraduate courses in Vertebrate Paleontology and Quaternary Paleoecology and a general education course on life of the Mesozoic. Successful candidates must have skills in student engagement, pedagogical proficiency, and the ability to design and teach courses in person and online. They must possess the ability to build collaborations with diverse interest groups. The integration of Indigenous perspectives into teaching and research is highly desirable.

Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires the possession of a PhD in Geology, Paleontology, Earth Science, Geoscience, Earth System Science, or a related field. Teaching and outreach experience is highly desirable, but not required.
*Applications will be accepted if candidates have successfully defended their Ph.D. dissertation by application deadline. Copy of awarded Ph.D. is required prior to start date.

A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria is required.

Position Details:
This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, AK. This is a full-time, 9-month base appointment, FLSA exempt faculty position complete with a competitive salary and https://www.alaska.edu/hr/benefits/support/prospectiveemployees.php. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be offered a competitive salary based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on November 23, 2026. Applications received prior to this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

Finalists invited to an on-campus interview/visit will be required to give a both a teaching and a research presentation during the visit. Details will be provided prior. Feedback from faculty, staff and students will be considered in the recommendation to the hiring authority.

Required Application Documents:
-Cover Letter
-Curriculum Vitae
-Teaching philosophy, experience and interest statement (1-2 pages)
-Research Statement including experience, research agenda and how your research will be relevant to Alaska (1-2 pages)
**Combine the Teaching and Research Statement into 1 document for uploading

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sheri Hall, CNSM HR Manager, at sahall5@alaska.edu or (907) 474-6714

UAF is the historical center of the University of Alaska System and has a diverse mission ranging from housing world-class research institutes to serving the broad educational needs of interior Alaska. Within this context, the Department of Geosciences offers B.S. degrees in Geoscience, with concentrations in Geology, Paleontology, Geophysics, and Geospatial Sciences, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth System Science.

Due to the substantial increase in the employer costs involved, the university is unable to sponsor visas subject to the new regulatory fee imposed in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10973.

This position is represented by United Academics-AAUP/AFT (UNAC). https://www.unitedacademicsak.org

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at mailto:ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The http://www.alaska.edu/ (https://www.alaska.edu/alaska/index.php) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination (http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or mailto:police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or mailto:uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or mailto:uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/compliance/clery-act/annual-security-reports.html. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing mailto:uas.orca@alaska.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/9908705

je-5f9e56b6f627414a922dc118e67ca01f