UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies (GCSU) at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor position. This position will begin on August 23, 2025, and will be located at the UConn Storrs campus.

Founded in 2024, the Department brings together Geography and Urban & Community Studies, while also providing an administrative home for the cross-college Environmental Studies Program. The Department’s goal is to create a hub for interdisciplinary research and engaged scholarship and education. Our programs interweave research and community engagement to foster creative, capable, and adaptable citizens in Connecticut and beyond. We work in and with communities to enable the urgent societal transformations called for by scientific evidence and insights. GSCU currently offers three undergraduate majors in Geography, Urban & Community Studies and GIS, a PhD program in Geography, a Graduate Certificate in GIS, and contributes to a Masters in Energy & Environmental Management jointly offered by GSCU, the College of Health, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and the School of Law.

The ideal candidate will bring college-level teaching experience in a wide range of courses in environmental studies, human geography, and urban and community studies. This is a teaching-oriented position. The successful candidate will offer a range of classes, potentially including common curriculum courses in Introduction to Environmental Studies, Globalization, World Regional Geography, Economic Geography, as well as upper division classes in Global Environmental Politics and Environmental and Climate Justice.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and is a member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Completion of all requirements for the PhD in Environmental Studies, Geography, or a closely related field with a degree awarded by the start date of employment.
2. Demonstrated ability to teach at the college or university level.
3. Graduate coursework or other evidence of expertise in Environmental Studies.
4. Evidence of a commitment to working with first-generation college students, students from historically underserved demographics, and multilingual students.
5. Experience supporting diversity in a higher education setting. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience teaching large enrollment common curriculum courses.
2. Experience teaching both in person and using online platforms.
3. Experience teaching a range of courses or demonstrated potential for developing new courses.
4. Graduate coursework or other evidence of expertise in Economic Geography, Globalization, and/or World Regional Geography.
5. Graduate coursework or other evidence of expertise in environmental politics and/or justice.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track teaching position that carries a seven-course (7) per year teaching responsibility. The position is located at the Storrs campus and reports to the Head of the Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies Department. This position is for a year but is expected to be renewed for up to three years, subject to performance and budget. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499031 and submit the following:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, and at least one course syllabus with major assignment prompts);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Writing sample (12-15 pp);
• Letters of Reference from three (3) professional referees.

Review of applications will begin on May 27^th 2025, and continue until the position is filled. 

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on July 7, 2025. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.