Hiring Department
University of Missouri-Columbia
College of Arts and Science
Department of Geological Sciences
Assistant Professor in Solid Earth Geophysics
Job Description
The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the broad area of Solid Earth Geophysics. Potential areas of research interest could include, but are not limited to, tectonophysics, geodynamics, geomagnetism, geodesy, planetary geophysics, and applied geophysics (e.g., exploration, “critical zone”, lithospheric structure). Applicants using modern observational techniques and/or computational methods (e.g., machine learning or artificial intelligence, geospatial statistics) are encouraged. This position has an anticipated Fall, 2027 start date.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach across the curriculum, including introductory courses within their expertise, and to build an externally funded research program that complements the department’s existing strengths in tectonics, seismology, petrology/geochemistry, and paleobiology.
Faculty have access to Hellbender, the university’s high-performance computing cluster (>24,000 CPU cores, >130 NVIDIA A100/H100 GPUs, and 8.5 PB of attached research storage; https://docs.itrss.umsystem.edu/pub/hpc/hellbender). A wide variety of additional research instrumentation is available on campus at the MU Research Reactor [https://www.murr.missouri.edu/], the Materials Science and Engineering Institute [https://msei.missouri.edu/], and the MU X-ray Microanalysis Laboratory [https://research.missouri.edu/x-ray-microanalysis/].
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
A Ph.D. in geophysics or a related area by the time of appointment is required.
Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to conduct independent research and their potential for effective teaching of students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Information about our department and our undergraduate and graduate curricula can be found at https://geology.missouri.edu/.
Application Materials
Please apply online at: https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings (Job Opening ID 61158). Use the online application to upload (i) a cover letter describing your teaching and research experience; (ii) a curriculum vitae; (iii) a research statement (maximum two pages) describing your interests, accomplishments, and goals; (iv) a teaching statement (maximum one page) describing your interests and plans for mentoring and recruiting undergraduate and graduate students; (v) a rank-ordered list of at least four referees with contact information.
Applicants may contact Dr. Paco Gomez, the Chair of the Search Committee (fgomez@missouri.edu), with questions about the job duties. Please contact Human Resource Services (muhrs@missouri.edu) with any questions about the application process. Review of application materials will begin January 5, 2027. To ensure full consideration, applications should be completed by this date. The position will remain open until filled.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship may be available for candidates currently in the United States in H-1B status or other work-authorized status.
Community Information
Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
