Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies

Job Summary

The Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is seeking to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor with a start date of August 2026.ENVS is searching for a faculty member with expertise in energy and environmental policy, with an emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization. We invite applications from those who use empirical methods (quantitative, qualitative, or multi-methods) to better understand the drivers of energy and environmental policy, policy impacts, and / or responses to policy. This may include (but is not limited to) a focus on the intersections between policy and technology, finance, behavior, cultural and social dynamics, or work sitting at the science-policy interface. This tenure-track faculty member will help advance and strengthen CU Boulder’s capabilities in these areas across campus and beyond.Faculty in the Department teach three courses per year. Applicants must have a PhD in Environmental Studies, Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Natural Resource Management, or another adjacent field. The typical effort distribution for tenure-track faculty is 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service. A PhD degree must be conferred by the start date of the appointment. Applicants are expected to show evidence of high-quality research and evidence of, or potential for, securing outside funding. A background check is required.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder is composed of 17 tenured / tenure track faculty covering a wide range of topical expertise. Our faculty also includes 13 rostered, full-time teaching professors. Our department consists of a broad range of environmental studies including an undergraduate program, a graduate research program (MS and PhD), and a professional master’s program (MENV). The department’s primary strength is interdisciplinary research and education on human-environment interactions, as we integrate scholarship on environmental science, policy, and values. Combined, faculty within the ENVS department at CU Boulder represent expertise in a range of human-environment areas and utilize quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. ENVS here at the University of Colorado Boulder emphasizes the importance of diverse voices and experiences for strengthening our teaching, research, and service to broader communities. As a department committed to justice and equity, our goal is to create an environment that welcomes and supports everyone.This faculty member in ENVS will also complement and build upon a variety of work being done across CU Boulder in the Departments of Political Science, Geography, Environmental Design, Economics, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, as well as the Center for the American West and the Law School’s Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment. All of these units have scholars with research interests that intersect with energy and environmental policy and social science, and there is much opportunity to share courses and instructional resources to promote synergies among these units in this area of scholarship and education. There are also many additional campus activities and initiatives that will intersect with the interests of this new faculty hire.Furthermore, the Front Range is nationally seen as a leading place for sustainability, energy and environmental research as well as innovation. As such, the state, the university, and the ENVS department specifically would benefit from a new hire in energy and environmental policy research.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

This is a full-time, nine-month tenure-track position that will consist of teaching three courses per academic year, service duties, and related administrative responsibilities

What You Should Know

This position is in-person and not remote. Faculty in the Department teach three courses per year. The typical effort distribution for tenure-track faculty is 40% teaching, 40% research, and 20% service. A PhD degree must be conferred by the start date of the appointment.

What We Can Offer

The anticipated academic year (9-month) salary range for this position at the Assistant Professor rank is $100,000 - $105,000. This position will have the option to take summer salary from grants or other funds raised. A negotiable start-up package up to $300,000 is available, as is $10,000 in relocation assistance.

Benefits

At the , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies, Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Natural Resource Management, or another adjacent field by time of the appointment.

What You Will Need

Candidates should also be able to cover a range of substantive courses with environmental studies content and methodological courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels including those in the substantive area of the position as described above.

What We Would Like You to Have

Demonstrated evidence of, or potential for, achieving excellence in research, teaching, and professional leadership.