Summary: The Geology Department invites applicants for a full-time, non-tenure-track Affiliate faculty position, starting in the 2023-2024 academic year. We seek a creative and dynamic educator to teach introductory geology courses as part of the general education program. This may be renewed once for an additional academic year. Thereafter, such individuals may be appointed for three (3) consecutive academic years.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• M.S. in Geology or higher.
• Demonstrated potential for successful college-level teaching.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect, empathy, and cultural humility.
• Creativity and flexibility.
• Demonstrated potential for commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. This could include experience with inclusive pedagogies; research relating to marginalized populations or social inequality; engagement with community-based social justice work; and other forms of DEI-infused teaching, scholarship and service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Capacity to contribute to lower and upper division courses related to solid earth materials including minerology/petrology and/or tectonics.

Responsibilities – Essential Functions: 

• The teaching load will be mainly introductory geology courses, some with labs and/or large lectures (e.g. GEO 100, 103, 105, 111). Many of these courses involve field trips or field experiences. 
• There may be opportunities to teach courses related to the disciplinary strengths of the candidate.
• The teaching load is typically 12-15 credits per semester.

Salary:  Commensurate with Experience

Department/Division:  Geology/College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Geology Department includes 9 tenure-track faculty and ~48 majors (Geology, Geology-Chemistry, Earth Science) and serves ~36 Integrated Science majors.  The department values field trips and collegial faculty-student interactions (see www.gvsu.edu/geology).

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together. 

Campus/University:  Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).

How To Apply: We are particularly interested in enthusiastic and innovative educators who can implement effective pedagogy and contribute new activities and field experiences to those already developed by department faculty.  We will encourage the successful candidate to participate in professional activities with students and in the West Michigan community.

A complete application must include (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU, (2) curriculum vitae, (3)* teaching philosophy, (4)* a statement that describes ongoing and anticipated activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching, research/creative activity, and service, with particular attention to experiences engaging and supporting a diverse student body, (5) contact information of three professional references, and (6) graduate transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply). The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.   Questions can be directed to the Search Chair, Dr. Merritt DeLano-Taylor, Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401 (taylomer@gvsu.edu; 616-331-8839).

*Within the application form, please upload 'Teaching Philosophy' to the 'Leadership Philosophy' document type and 'DEI statement' to the 'Teaching Statement' document type.

Application Deadline Date:  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on June 15^th, 2023.