James Madison University
Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Louisiana, United States, 71340
Overview
Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science. Working Title: Academic Unit Head, Geology & Environmental Science. Position Type: Instructional / Teaching Faculty. Position Status: Full-Time. FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime. College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics. Department: 100024 - Geology and Environmental Science. Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience. Is this a JMU only position? No. Is this a grant-funded position? No. Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No. Beginning Review Date: 11/2/2025.
About JMU James Madison University invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head (AUH) of the Department of Geology & Environmental Science, to begin July 1, 2026. This is a tenure track, 12-month, primarily administrative position at the rank of professor, with opportunities to teach, conduct research, and/or lead in their discipline. Application review will begin November 2, 2025, and the position is open until filled.
The Department offers bachelor’s degrees in Geology and Environmental Earth Science for ~110 majors, minors in Geology, Climate Science, and Geophysics, interdisciplinary minors in Environmental Science and Data Analytics, and a capstone summer field course. Faculty contribute to General Education, and graduates pursue private sector, public service, and graduate study.
Our faculty (15 full-time, 4 adjunct) engage in teaching and research in Solid Earth Materials and Tectonics; Climate and Ocean Science; Paleobiology, Environmental and Engineering Geology; and Geoscience Education and Geoheritage. Support staff include two full-time employees and grant administration, scientific computing, and media design.
Duties and Responsibilities The AUH is responsible for the administration and overall effectiveness of the academic unit, including its programs, faculty, classified personnel, scholarship, budget, and resources. The AUH will lead the department in alignment with a student-centered research university, emphasizing undergraduate teaching excellence and alignment with the university’s transition to R2 status.
We seek an AUH with a strong understanding of national trends in undergraduate geoscience education and scholarship. The AUH will guide recruitment to increase majors, promote undergraduate-teaching excellence, provide authentic research experiences, advance workforce readiness, support faculty development and scholarship, and promote priorities of the department, college, and university.
Qualifications AUH candidates are required to have the following qualifications:
A PhD or doctorate in the geosciences
A record of research, teaching and service commensurate with the rank of Professor at JMU
A record of a federally- or externally-funded research program
A record of supervision of undergraduate and/or graduate research students
Evidence of effective teaching within the geosciences at the undergraduate level
Evidence of supporting the geosciences as part of a general or a liberal arts education
Experience with budgets and budgetary processes
The department is especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
Strategies for student recruitment and retention
Interest in supporting innovation in teaching and curriculum design
Support for research infrastructure and activities commensurate with the R2 level
Commitment to faculty and staff development
Experience advocating for a unit or organization
Evidence of support for and/or involvement in outreach programs
Experience in management and evaluation of people in an academic setting
Interpersonal skills and ability to advance a collegial and collaborative culture
Additional Posting Information Scholarship is valued in various forms across geoscience disciplines. The department supports undergraduate research, grant-funded student opportunities, and internships. Faculty and students publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences; we host an annual student research symposium. Facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories and field equipment. The campus offers rich field-based teaching and research opportunities.
The department engages in outreach and community efforts, including the JMU Mineral Museum and partnerships with Grand Caverns. Our student organizations lead educational and outreach events. The department is committed to a supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students. More information is available at the department site: http://www.jmu.edu/geology/
Application Instructions To apply, complete the application on the JMU career site and submit the following documents: CV; Cover letter; Leadership statement of your vision for the future of geosciences and the department (uploaded under "Other Document #1"). Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for relocating candidates. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment and Compliance Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. E-Verify: new hires must complete an I-9 and provide identity/work eligibility documents. James Madison University uses E-Verify.
EEO Statement JMU is committed to a diverse and inclusive community, free of discrimination. Discrimination or harassment based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status is not tolerated. Questions concerning discrimination should be directed to the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation If you need assistance applying for jobs, contact (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. Visit the JMU Human Resource Office for assistance.
To apply, please visit: jobs.jmu.edu/jobs/academic-unit-head-geology-environmental-science-harrisonburg-virginia-united-states
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About JMU James Madison University invites applications for the position of Academic Unit Head (AUH) of the Department of Geology & Environmental Science, to begin July 1, 2026. This is a tenure track, 12-month, primarily administrative position at the rank of professor, with opportunities to teach, conduct research, and/or lead in their discipline. Application review will begin November 2, 2025, and the position is open until filled.
The Department offers bachelor’s degrees in Geology and Environmental Earth Science for ~110 majors, minors in Geology, Climate Science, and Geophysics, interdisciplinary minors in Environmental Science and Data Analytics, and a capstone summer field course. Faculty contribute to General Education, and graduates pursue private sector, public service, and graduate study.
Our faculty (15 full-time, 4 adjunct) engage in teaching and research in Solid Earth Materials and Tectonics; Climate and Ocean Science; Paleobiology, Environmental and Engineering Geology; and Geoscience Education and Geoheritage. Support staff include two full-time employees and grant administration, scientific computing, and media design.
Duties and Responsibilities The AUH is responsible for the administration and overall effectiveness of the academic unit, including its programs, faculty, classified personnel, scholarship, budget, and resources. The AUH will lead the department in alignment with a student-centered research university, emphasizing undergraduate teaching excellence and alignment with the university’s transition to R2 status.
We seek an AUH with a strong understanding of national trends in undergraduate geoscience education and scholarship. The AUH will guide recruitment to increase majors, promote undergraduate-teaching excellence, provide authentic research experiences, advance workforce readiness, support faculty development and scholarship, and promote priorities of the department, college, and university.
Qualifications AUH candidates are required to have the following qualifications:
A PhD or doctorate in the geosciences
A record of research, teaching and service commensurate with the rank of Professor at JMU
A record of a federally- or externally-funded research program
A record of supervision of undergraduate and/or graduate research students
Evidence of effective teaching within the geosciences at the undergraduate level
Evidence of supporting the geosciences as part of a general or a liberal arts education
Experience with budgets and budgetary processes
The department is especially interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
Strategies for student recruitment and retention
Interest in supporting innovation in teaching and curriculum design
Support for research infrastructure and activities commensurate with the R2 level
Commitment to faculty and staff development
Experience advocating for a unit or organization
Evidence of support for and/or involvement in outreach programs
Experience in management and evaluation of people in an academic setting
Interpersonal skills and ability to advance a collegial and collaborative culture
Additional Posting Information Scholarship is valued in various forms across geoscience disciplines. The department supports undergraduate research, grant-funded student opportunities, and internships. Faculty and students publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences; we host an annual student research symposium. Facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories and field equipment. The campus offers rich field-based teaching and research opportunities.
The department engages in outreach and community efforts, including the JMU Mineral Museum and partnerships with Grand Caverns. Our student organizations lead educational and outreach events. The department is committed to a supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students. More information is available at the department site: http://www.jmu.edu/geology/
Application Instructions To apply, complete the application on the JMU career site and submit the following documents: CV; Cover letter; Leadership statement of your vision for the future of geosciences and the department (uploaded under "Other Document #1"). Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for relocating candidates. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment and Compliance Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. E-Verify: new hires must complete an I-9 and provide identity/work eligibility documents. James Madison University uses E-Verify.
EEO Statement JMU is committed to a diverse and inclusive community, free of discrimination. Discrimination or harassment based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status is not tolerated. Questions concerning discrimination should be directed to the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation If you need assistance applying for jobs, contact (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. Visit the JMU Human Resource Office for assistance.
To apply, please visit: jobs.jmu.edu/jobs/academic-unit-head-geology-environmental-science-harrisonburg-virginia-united-states
#J-18808-Ljbffr