Recruit
Volcanology or Petrology Professor and ERI Director
Position overview
Position title: Associate or Full ProfessorApplication Window
Open date: September 27, 2024
Next review date: Sunday, Dec 1, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) invites applications for a tenured faculty position in volcanology or petrology (broadly defined) at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, who would also serve as the Director of the Earth Research Institute (ERI; eri.ucsb.edu). We seek applicants whose records are commensurate with that of an associate or full professor with tenure, who are passionate about teaching and mentorship of diverse undergraduate and graduate students, and whose research interests complement existing strengths in the Department of Earth Science and across campus.
The Earth Research Institute
The Earth Research Institute (ERI) is a multidisciplinary Organized Research Unit (ORU) that operates alongside academic teaching departments at UC Santa Barbara to promote innovative research and education in the sciences of our solid, fluid, and living Earth. The 14 professional staff at ERI administer over $69 million in extramural and intramural funds for over 400 research projects and education outreach programs for scientists spanning six academic units on campus (Earth Science; Geography; The Bren School of Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Studies; Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology; Computer Science) in addition to the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, and the UCSB Natural Reserve System).
Desirable Attributes
Broadly trained, with interdisciplinary experience in volcanology or petrology, broadly defined, the successful candidate is expected to lead, promote, and advance the research enterprise of ERI across a broad front of activities, while continuing their own, extramurally funded research program, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, participating in ongoing graduate and undergraduate teaching programs, and contributing to other university service and professional activities.
UCSB is particularly interested in applicants who have made and continue to make significant contributions to Earth science and have demonstrated successful leadership and development skills. As the ERI Director, the candidate is expected to provide scientific and organizational leadership, and foster an environment that inspires collaborations across a broad spectrum of researchers. The Director will hold a tenured faculty position in the Department of Earth Science at UC Santa Barbara. The appointment as ERI Director is for five years, and is renewable for additional five-year periods. Further information about ERI is available at https://www.eri.ucsb.edu/.
The University is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at UC Santa Barbara. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values.
Banneker Initiative
In 2024-25, UC Santa Barbara departments are partnering with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to launch a special faculty recruitment initiative named after Benjamin Banneker, the 18th-century African American mathematician, astronomer, antiracist, engineer, ecologist, and peace advocate. Funded by an Advancing Faculty Diversity grant from the UC Office of the President, the Banneker Initiative will recruit scholars, scientists, and engineers whose disciplinary and interdisciplinary work would take place within the community of concerns exemplified by Banneker’s intellectual, ethical, and social commitments as an African American scientist, especially his desire to advance scientific and humanistic knowledge for the public good. With the goal of creating a diverse community around such concerns, applicants may be eligible to be fellows in the Benjamin Banneker Initiative. The community of Banneker Fellows will receive funding for cohort building and professional development activities, including enrollment in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity Faculty Success Program, proposal writing training, and seed grants. Further information about the Banneker Initiative can be found here
Department: https://geol.ucsb.edu
Qualifications
A Ph.D. conferred in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or related field.
- A record of research and professional activity commensurate with a tenured appointment.
- Demonstrated experience in academic research administration, development, and leadership at a University or similar environment.
- Demonstrated teaching and mentoring experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels and an ability to make direct contributions to the Earth Science curricula.
- Demonstrated expertise in organizational and budget management (e.g., laboratory research group or institution administration).
- Potential to work collaboratively within the Department of Earth Science and experience in leadership and service at the university level and within the scientific community.
Application Requirements
Letter of Application - To facilitate unbiased review of applications, on a single page with reasonable formatting, please concisely introduce us to your research question(s) and highlight your qualifications as related to the advertised position.
Curriculum Vitae - Please submit a complete CV, including previous employment and degrees earned, a full list of publications, notable conference and seminar talks/presentations (indicate if invited), awards, and participation in student, university or professional groups. Also, list any research funding for which you wrote or co-wrote a proposal.
Statement of Administrative Experience - Briefly summarize your administrative experience and discuss your top three administrative accomplishments and the vision you have for ERI and Earth science at UCSB (2-3 pages)
Statement of Research - Discuss your most creative and significant contributions to science, your current research focus, your plans for the future, and the potential for sustained impact of your research within your discipline and more broadly (e.g., benefits to society, impacts on other disciplines). Also, briefly describe any experiences you have with research collaboration/leadership and possible areas for future collaboration within the department or on campus. (2-3 pages)
Statement of Teaching - The search committee will use this document to evaluate your potential as an instructor. Please provide a statement that includes teaching and mentorship experiences (including outreach activities), a brief summary of your teaching philosophy, and approximately 3 topics that you would be interested in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level. (1-2 pages)
Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Describe how your scholarship, teaching and mentoring, service, and engagement contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this statement, describe steps you have taken (or are planning to take) to foster an inclusive intellectual environment in your research group, in the classroom, in the department, on campus, and/or in your field more generally. (1-2 pages)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Letters of recommendation will be solicited from the references provided by finalist candidates after they accept our invitation for an in-person interview.
Help contact: earth_recruitment@geol.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.