Job Information
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Assistant Professor – Rangeland Ecology and Management in Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Title Information
Faculty TitleAssistant Professor
Job Class Code10031
FLSAExempt
Position Information
Posting NumberFRGV1727
Working TitleAssistant Professor – Rangeland Ecology and Management
Number of Vacancies1
LocationRio Grande Valley
Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position
Tenure StatusTenure Track
FTE1
Scope of Job
We seek applicants who are dedicated to servingThe University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’sstudent body as an Assistant Professorof the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciencesbeginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Located in the subtropical Rio Grande Valley near the Gulf of Mexico, UTRGV is positioned in a region highly susceptible to drought, predicted water shortages, and other extreme weather events, which significantly impact both agricultural and ecological systems. As of 2022, over 700,000 acres of the region’s land were dedicated to pasture and rangeland, accounting for approximately 48% of farmland use. The successful candidate will contribute to a rapidly expanding academic program focused on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Collaboration with faculty tackling key agricultural and environmental issues, both locally and beyond, is expected. This includes interdisciplinary, mission-driven research with USDA agencies, farmers, and ranchers. Ample opportunities exist for partnerships in areas like soil and plant health, restoration ecology, and climate adaptation, particularly in addressing challenges posed by drought.
The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rangeland management, covering topics such as range ecology, rangeland improvements and restoration practices, and rangeland planning and ranch management; 2) develop an active, field-based research program that engages both undergraduate and graduate students through mentorship and hands-on learning; and 3) seek and secure external funding to develop a robust research program centered on land management, climate change mitigation, adaptation, rangeland degradation, productivity, and livestock production. This program should address the challenges posed by frequent droughts and extreme weather events, offering solutions that promote sustainable rangeland productivity and enhance resilience.
About UTRGV :
UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.
Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.
UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. Already recognized as one of the premier Hispanic Serving Institutions in the U.S., UTRGV has recently achieved R2 Carnegie research classification and is aiming to attain R1 status by 2028. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website (https://www.utrgv.edu/index.htm) .
Department/College Background
The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences ( SEEMS ) provides integrative educational and training experiences for students and conducts world-class research while supporting the Rio Grande Valley community. SEEMS promotes collaborative, multi-disciplinary research and seeks participation of other sciences and disciplines interested in applying interdisciplinary perspectives to understanding of earth-environmental systems and their interactions with society (i.e., integrating biological, chemical, physical, and geospatial sciences with engineering, social science, economics, policy).
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum requirement is a Ph.D. from an accredited university in Rangeland Management, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or other related discipline.
Discipline Specific Required Qualifications
N/A
Preferred Qualifications
Postdoctoral research experience
License or Certification Required?No
SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience
Desired Start Date09/01/2025
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Open Date10/10/2024
Close Date01/15/2025
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may
require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is
performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive
and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code
§51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of
Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least
135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement
Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week
and at least 135 days in length.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to discontinue accepting applications prior to the stated close date of this position, after meeting the posting requirement of three (3) calendar days.
Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.
Please Note
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to
demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based
test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.
Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/44645
Posting Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae
List of 3 References
Letter of Interest
Unofficial Graduate Transcripts
Optional Documents
Resume
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Teaching Philosophy
Unofficial Transcripts
Reference Letter 1
Reference Letter 2
Reference Letter 3
Research Statement
Additional Document