Description
The Geology Department at Western Washington University (WWU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Hydrogeology to begin September 16, 2026. We seek individuals who are enthusiastic about teaching and who will establish a productive research program that involves undergraduate and Master’s-level students. The ideal candidate will support our department’s ability to produce workforce-ready geoscientists. Broad areas of research interest may include, but are not limited to, groundwater-surface water interactions, environmental hydrogeology, and groundwater systems (e.g. geothermal, fault zone, coastal, mountain). Teaching responsibilities will include Hydrogeology and other courses in the field of Applied Geology (e.g. Engineering Geology, GIS in Geology, Surface Water Hydrology, Natural Hazards), ranging from the introductory to graduate level.
Position Title Assistant Professor, Hydrogeology
About the University
Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the Department
We presently have 17 faculty members with teaching and research fields that include surface processes, geophysics, hydrogeology and engineering geology, tectonics and structural geology, sedimentology and stratigraphy, igneous and metamorphic processes, science education, marine geology, paleontology, stable isotope geochemistry, and planetary geoscience. Our department includes a large (190 majors) undergraduate program as well as a vibrant MS program with 45 graduate students. The standard teaching load for faculty in the department is 1-2 courses per academic quarter (5/year). The goal of the program is to help students develop into confident, thoughtful, ethical scientists ready to address the growing challenges affecting our planet through the study of the geosciences.
The College of Science and Engineering and the Geology Department support Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position
The ideal candidate will support our department’s ability to produce workforce-ready geoscientists. Broad areas of research interest may include, but are not limited to, groundwater-surface water interactions, environmental hydrogeology, and groundwater systems (e.g. geothermal, fault zone, coastal, mountain).
Position Responsibilities:
Teach Hydrogeology
Teach new or existing courses in the field of Applied Geology (e.g. Engineering Geology, GIS in Geology, Surface Water Hydrology, Natural Hazards) ranging from the introductory to graduate level
Contribute to Department efforts in applied geology including fostering industry and regional professional collaborations
Fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students
Establish an active research program that can be sustained at a primarily undergraduate institution
Mentor undergraduate and graduate (Master’s) students’ research projects
Seek extramural research funding
Participate in service activities of the Geology Department
Required Qualifications
Earned PhD in Geosciences, or a closely related field, with an emphasis in Hydrogeology at time of application
Evidence of the ability to effectively teach Hydrogeology
Evidence of the ability to teach other courses in applied geology ranging from the introductory to graduate level
Demonstrated record of, or commitment to, cultivating learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds
Demonstrated record of, or commitment to, establishing a high-quality research program that includes mentoring and training of undergraduate and graduate student researchers
Demonstrated record of, or commitment to, obtaining external research funding
Preferred Qualifications
Postdoctoral experience or relevant experience in industry
A demonstrated ability to engage with private industry, regional tribes, and/or government agencies
A strong research record in appropriate geoscience fields
Evidence of the ability to effectively teach Engineering Geology
Teaching experience using student-centered approaches to foster active learning
Conditions of Employment
All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, includingProof of Rubeola Measles Immunitywithin 60-days of hire. Please reach out toHR@wwu.eduif you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary
The salary range for assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $75,000-$90,000, with placement within the position’s salary range being based on qualifications and professional experience. The upper end of the salary range is typically achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments.Relocation assistancemay be available per University guidelines. Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.
Benefits Information
Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions (PDF)
Bargaining Unit
United Faculty of Western Washington
Application Instructions
Interested candidates must apply online.
For application information and instructions, go to the WWU Employment websitehttp://www.wwu.edu/jobs.
Attach (1) a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications for the position, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a statement of teaching philosophy and interests, (4) a detailed statement of research plans, (5) a statement detailing how your teaching, service and/or scholarship has prepared you to support the success of students with backgrounds or identities that are underrepresented in STEM fields and (6) names and contact information for three individuals willing to provide recommendation letters upon request.
For further questions or information, please feel free to contact the Geology Department Chair (Bernard Housen, bernieh@wwu.edu) or the Search Committee Chair (Allison Pfeiffer, pfeiffa@wwu.edu).
Closing Date Notes
Review of applications begins December 15, 2025 and continues until position is filled. The position starting date will be September 16, 2026.
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies onProhibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected ClassandProhibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225;360.650.3307(voice) or 711 (Washington Relay);crtc@wwu.edu
WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contactHuman Resources Disability Services,360.650.3751or 711 (Washington Relay).
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs atvpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at:Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes asexual misconduct background check.
