Assistant Teaching Professor in Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Program at Tufts University (Medford, MA) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Assistant Teaching Professor in Environmental Studies, beginning September 1, 2027. This is a nine-month academic appointment paid over 12 months, with an initial two-year contract and the possibility of renewal thereafter.

We seek an innovative, interdisciplinary, and applied scholar in the social sciences who is committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentorship, outreach, and collaboration. We welcome candidates with diverse academic backgrounds and expertise relevant to Environmental Studies, with particular interest in candidates who can contribute to the curriculum in the Sustainability, Policy, and Equity and Environmental Communication tracks of the Environmental Studies major. We are especially interested in candidates with a demonstrated record of interdisciplinary collaboration who can create meaningful opportunities for students to engage directly with practitioners, organizations, institutions, and communities. Candidates should be passionate about connecting classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges and professional pathways.

The successful candidate will contribute to the educational mission of the program through undergraduate teaching, advising, mentoring, and departmental and university-wide service. The position carries a teaching load of up to six courses per academic year, with a teaching load equivalent to four courses in the first year and five courses in the second year. Teaching responsibilities may include the program's interdisciplinary gateway course, Introduction to Environmental Studies. Additional teaching may include an environmental communication course, research methods, advanced seminars and supervision of independent studies or theses. Experiential or community-based learning courses are highly valued. We seek a colleague who will be an engaged member of a vibrant, interdisciplinary community and who is eager to contribute to student engagement and community building within and outside of Tufts.

The Environmental Studies Program, established in 1984, is one of the oldest environmental undergraduate programs in the country. Student interest in the program continues to increase and is now one of the largest academic programs at Tufts University. The Environmental Studies Program prepares students to have a deep understanding of the critical issues facing society, essential analytical skills, and the ability to communicate their knowledge to their peers and the general public. We offer two majors and two minors and sponsor a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a weekly lecture series. More information about the program can be found at Go.tufts.edu/ENVS.

Ph.D. in Environmental Studies or a relevant social sciences discipline including, but not limited to, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Public Policy, Geography, Urban Planning, or closely related fields.

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, preferably in interdisciplinary learning environments.
• Expertise in at least one of the following areas: environmental sustainability, environmental communication, environmental policy, or environmental justice.
• Experience and/or demonstrable interest in experiential, project-based, and/or community-engaged learning.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience contributing to student programming, community building, interdisciplinary initiatives, or other forms of academic and student engagement.

Please submit the following materials to Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/194078

1. Cover letter including courses the candidate would be prepared and excited to teach.

2. Curriculum vitae

3. All teaching evaluations of the last 3 years

4. Syllabus from a previously taught course

5. Candidates who advance to the first interview round will be asked to submit a Teaching Statement addressing: a) how they would approach teaching Introduction to Environmental Studies, an interdisciplinary gateway course capped at 40 students; b) how they incorporate experiential, applied, and/or community-engaged learning into their teaching; and c) how they would create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with practitioners, organizations, and communities.

6. Contact information for 3 professional references. Candidates will be asked to secure letters if they advance to the first interview round.

Review of applications will start on Nov 15th. All offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a background check. Questions about the position should be emailed to Environmental Studies Program Administrator Sinet Kroch at Sinet.Kroch@tufts.edu.