The Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences (EES) in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky seeks to fill a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in Critical Minerals and Economic Geology. This is a 9-month position in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2024. We seek a highly motivated individual with research interests focused on critical minerals and allied fields of economic geology. Expertise may include, but is not limited to, ore and mineral genesis, geochemistry, geofluids, geochronology, mineral exploration and appraisal, and sustainable extraction of critical minerals and other non-hydrocarbon resources. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized externally funded research program, participating in or leading interdisciplinary collaborations with academic, industry, and government partners. Ideally, the successful candidate will establish cross-disciplinary collaborations within the EES department and across the University to address complex societal challenges related to critical minerals, including topics related to energy, natural resources, and environmental questions.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to research advising of undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, they will also be expected to enthusiastically commit to teaching opportunities in the department, which may include graduate and undergraduate classes in critical minerals, tectonics, economic geology, structural geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, mineralogy, and new course offerings in the candidate’s area of expertise. The successful candidate should also be willing to contribute to the department’s mission of teaching non-science majors at the introductory level.
A Ph.D. in Geology, Geochemistry, or Earth Science is required.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky has research expertise across the disciplines, including structural geology, geochemistry, sedimentary geology, and hydrologic research. The department is home to state-of-the-art radiochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, and imaging laboratories. Additionally, the department collaborates extensively with the Kentucky Geologic Survey and the Center for Applied Energy Research.
Applicants must include the following: 1) cover letter, 2) CV, 3) Unofficial Transcript, 4) Research Statement describing their research program and external funding plans (upload as Specific Request 1), 5) Teaching Statement (upload as Specific Request 2), and 6) a statement on their contribution toward inclusive excellence in teaching, research, professional activities, and/or service (upload as Specific Request 3). In addition, please provide the names and contact information for three references when prompted in the academic profile. This information may be utilized to solicit recommendation letters from your references within the employment system.
Questions about this search should be addressed to Dr. Ryan Thigpen, Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Services, University of Kentucky (
ryan.thigpen@uky.edu).
Review of applications will begin on November 27th, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.
