Assistant Professor, Environmental Hazards

Overview Assistant Professor, Environmental Hazards – Campus: Columbia. Department: Geography, College of Arts and Sciences. Basis: 9 months, full-time (40 hours per week). Position category: Full-time Equivalent (FTE). Advertised Title: Assistant Professor, Environmental Hazards. Location of Vacancy: Columbia campus. This is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty appointment to begin August 16, 2026. Responsibilities The successful candidate will have a focused research agenda in support of disaster-resilience and adaptation, inequalities as related to pre- and post-disaster outcomes, and the application of research toward action to improve communities. The candidate should be able to teach courses and conduct research focused on disasters, including physical and human perspectives and processes, climate resilience, risk or vulnerability assessment, health hazards, or geographic information systems as applied to environmental hazards. The department seeks an innovative scholar to support the growth of the Hazards Vulnerability and Resilience Institute as a national and international leader in this field. This position is also part of a Presidential level cluster hiring initiative focused on water quality, environmental health, and disaster preparedness. The Department of Geography currently consists of 20 faculty and has active research in resource politics, environmental hazards, human rights, coastal geomorphology, energy geographies, GIScience, biogeography, migration, and climate change. The department offers PhD, MS, MA, BS, and BA degrees and has about 25 full-time graduate students. For more information about the Department of Geography, visit the department page (URL: Qualifications Required Education and Experience The position requires a PhD in Geography, Urban Planning, Climate Science, GIScience, or related fields. ABDs will be considered with a PhD required by the time of appointment. Preferred Qualifications The position requires a PhD in Geography, Urban Planning, Climate Science, GIScience, or related fields. ABDs will be considered with a PhD required by the time of appointment. Desired Start Date 08/16/2026 Key Dates Job Open Date: 07/11/2025 Job Close Date: Open Until Filled (Yes). Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1, 2025. Application Instructions Special Instructions to Applicant: Applications must include: (1) a cover letter addressing interests and qualifications for the position, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) the names and email addresses of 3 references. Reference letters will be solicited from candidates best meeting the qualifications of this position. Applicants may submit up to 2 research publications (optional). The Inquiries about this position may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Jerry Mitchell, at View email address on click.appcast.io. Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. Benefits and Equal Opportunity The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations. Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Required Documents List of References and Contact Information #J-18808-Ljbffr