Assistant Professor in Soil Physics, Ecohydrology, or Hydropedology

Assistant Professor in Soil Physics, Ecohydrology, or Hydropedology

FLSA Status: Exempt, 100%
Term: 9 month (academic year) 50% teaching, 50% research
Type: Tenure - track
Reports to: Department Head
College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus Location: St. Paul Campus

Position Overview
The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (SWAC), College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota, seeks candidates for a 9-month tenure-track assistant professor position in the area of Dynamics and Interactions at the Soil-Water Nexus with 50% research and 50% teaching responsibilities. The goal of this new position is to address interactions and feedback loops between soil processes and properties, multi-scale hydrology and climate change, land-use change, surface or ground water hydrology, and water quality using process-based ecosystem and Machine Learning models, and/or remote sensing or combined experimental/modeling approaches. Example research topics include, but are not limited to: 1) impacts of land use and climate change on trends in regional hydrology, flooding, aquifer recharge and water quality in natural, managed, and agricultural landscapes; and 2) impacts of alternative cropping systems and soil management on runoff, discharge, water quality, trace gas emissions, soil physics, ecohydrology, and/or hydropedology.

Responsibilities

• The selected candidate for this position is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program, seek and secure extramural research funding from state and national competitive grant programs, and develop an independent research program of basic and applied research.
• The selected candidate is expected to possess the vision, energy, and enthusiasm to build collaborations across disciplines and closely interact with other departments within CFANS and across the University, including related Centers.
• The University of Minnesota offers opportunities to work with engineers and computer scientists, agricultural scientists, environmental and climate scientists, state climatologists, USDA-ARS researchers, UMN Extension, and a network of Research and Outreach Centers across the state.
• Teaching responsibilities for this position are envisioned to include undergraduate and graduate level courses offered by the department and related to the successful candidate's discipline and background.
• The department supports the Land and Atmospheric Sciences (LAAS) graduate program, the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) undergraduate program, minors in Soil Science, Water Science, Climate Science, International Agriculture, and Precision Agriculture.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in soil science, water resources science, biosystems engineering, ecology, earth sciences, civil and environmental engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to the University's goal of creating an inclusive campus climate.
• Basic and relevant applied research experience.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication within discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Broad understanding of soils, hydrology, drainage, streamflow, recharge and climate change interactions in agricultural and natural landscapes
• Broad understanding of soil and cropping system management impacts on hydrology and ecosystem processes
• Good technical skills in GIS and remote sensing image analysis
• Good skills in regional scale hydrologic, watershed modeling, process-based modeling, machine learning and AI modeling experience
• Strong working knowledge of empirical methods used in the study of soils, hydrology, drainage, streamflow, and/or recharge
• Good technical writing skills
• Effective organizational and communication skills
• Teaching, teaching assistant, or teaching training experience
• Interest in interdisciplinary approaches and/or community-engaged research and education

College Overview
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 27 programs: 14 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in disciplines involving food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences. CFANS also has 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Department Overview
The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (swac.umn.edu) is an internationally renowned academic unit with the core mission of advancing the understanding of Earth system processes and the interaction among land, atmosphere, and water. Through research, teaching, and outreach we seek to: improve and protect the quality of soil, air, and water resources in natural and managed ecosystems; enhance agricultural and forest productivity and sustainability; predict and mitigate impacts of environmental and climate change on ecosystems and society; and provide science based knowledge for improved decision making and a better informed citizenry.

Pay Range: $98,000 - $102,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment:100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary will be supplemented with 9 weeks of summer salary for the first three (3) years of the appointment to help establish a research and teaching program. Thereafter, a 9-month salary can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants.

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

Applications must be submitted online at http://employment.umn.edu/ (search for Job Opening ID [372228]). Candidates should include all of the required application materials combined into one single PDF document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required application materials:

• A cover letter clearly indicating how the applicant addresses the required and preferred qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of research interests and philosophy, specifically how your research aligns with the Department of Soil, Water and Climate existing or emerging areas of research strength, and how you embed inclusive excellence* considerations in your research program. (1-2 pages)
• Statement of teaching interests and philosophy, specifically how your teaching aligns with the Department of Soil, Water and Climate existing or emerging areas of teaching strength, and how you embed inclusive excellence* considerations in your teaching program (1-2 pages)
• Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references that will be contacted if you are deemed a final candidate

*Please provide details of your professional and/or personal experiences in fostering inclusive excellence, as it relates to teaching and research. https://cfans.umn.edu/about/inclusive-excellence

For questions regarding this position, please contact David Mulla (mulla003@umn.edu)

Submit applications by March 13, 2026

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).