Assistant Professor in Climate Science

Assistant Professor in Climate Science

FLSA Status: Exempt, 100%
Term: 9 month (academic year) 50% teaching, 50% research
Type: Tenure - track
Reports to: Department Head
College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus Location: St. Paul Campus

Position Overview
The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (SWAC), College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota, seeks candidates for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position in Climate Science with 50% research and 50% teaching responsibilities. The goal of this position is to advance understanding of the chemical and/or physical processes that influence Earth's climate system, with a focus on land-atmosphere interactions, climate prediction, or atmospheric composition and dynamics.

The composition of the atmosphere affects Earth's climate by altering its radiation balance through processes that include attenuation of longwave radiation, scattering of shortwave radiation, aerosol-cloud interactions, and biogeochemical cycling. Human activities such as agriculture and land use changes, natural resource management, and urban and industrial processes can significantly alter biogeochemical cycling and the hydrological cycle, profoundly impacting atmospheric composition, water, and energy budgets. Further, these changes directly impact human health and impact the infrastructure, sustainability, and preparedness needs of communities. These coupled changes have regional to global effects that may persist for decades to millennia. Understanding and modeling these processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales is essential for prediction, informed land management, and policy development related to global change. We seek a candidate whose research and teaching portfolio spans some of these key topics and spatiotemporal scales.

Responsibilities

• The selected candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program, seek and secure extramural research funding with a focus on basic and applied research.
• Teaching responsibilities for this position include undergraduate and graduate level courses offered by the department and/or related to the successful candidate's discipline and background.
• The department supports the Land and Atmospheric Sciences (LAAS) graduate program, the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) undergraduate program, and minors in Climate Science, Water Science, Soil Science, and International Agriculture, and Precision Agriculture.
• The selected candidate is expected to possess the vision, energy, and enthusiasm to build collaborations across disciplines and closely interact with other departments within CFANS and across the University, including related centers and programs such as the UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP).
• The University of Minnesota offers opportunities to work with engineers and computer scientists, agricultural scientists, environmental and climate scientists, public policy experts, public health experts, state climatologists, USDA-ARS researchers, UMN Extension, and a network of Research and Outreach Centers across the state.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in climate science, atmospheric science, environmental science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to the University's goal of creating an inclusive campus climate.
• A track record of impactful climate science research
• Demonstrated proficiency of atmospheric processes and land-atmosphere interactions.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication within the discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong technical skills in one or more of the following: climate modeling, Earth system modeling, land-atmosphere modeling, remote sensing, combined atmospheric modeling/measurement approaches, and advanced data analysis methods.
• Post-doctoral or post-degree research experience
• Experience working on interdisciplinary and/or applied research projects
• Interest in community-engaged research and education
• Teaching, teaching assistant, or teaching training experience
• Demonstrated success in applying for and/or securing external research funding
  

College Overview
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 27 programs: 14 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in disciplines involving food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences. CFANS also has 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Department Overview
The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (swac.umn.edu) is an internationally renowned academic unit with the core mission of advancing the understanding of Earth system processes and the interaction among land, atmosphere, and water. Through research, teaching, and outreach we seek to: improve and protect the quality of soil, air, and water resources in natural and managed ecosystems; enhance agricultural and forest productivity and sustainability; predict and mitigate impacts of environmental and climate change on ecosystems and society; and provide science-based knowledge for improved decision making and a better informed citizenry.

Pay Range: $98,000 - $102,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary will be supplemented with 9 weeks of summer salary for the first three (3) years of the appointment to help establish a research and teaching program. Thereafter, a 9-month salary can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants.

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online at http://employment.umn.edu/ (search for Job Opening ID [372226]). Candidates should include all of the required application materials combined into one single PDF document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required application materials:

• A cover letter clearly indicating how the applicant addresses the required and preferred qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of research interests and philosophy, specifically how your research aligns with the Department of Soil, Water and Climate existing or emerging areas of research strength, and how you embed inclusive excellence* considerations in your research program. (1-2 pages)
• Statement of teaching interests and philosophy, specifically how your teaching aligns with the Department of Soil, Water and Climate existing or emerging areas of teaching strength, and how you embed inclusive excellence* considerations in your teaching program (1-2 pages)
• Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references that will be contacted if you are deemed a final candidate

*Please provide details of your professional and/or personal experiences in fostering inclusive excellence, as it relates to teaching and research. https://cfans.umn.edu/about/inclusive-excellence

For questions regarding this position, please contact Tim Griffis (tgriffis@umn.edu)

Submit applications by March 13, 2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).