Geology Lab Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Department: Environmental Sciences
Position: Tenure-track position (full-time, with a 10-month contract), with complete benefit package
Salary: Negotiable within the range established in the CBA (starting at $55,000 for Assistant Professor)
Union Affiliation: Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE)
Starting Date: August 1, 2026
Posting Date: October 2025
Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, dependent partial tuition waiver, faculty/staff tuition waiver, wellness program, and pro-rated annual and sick leave.
Additional Support: Our science building will be newly renovated by the start date, with lab space available. Startup package negotiable. The Environmental Science Department is well-equipped with a variety of gear and tools for field and lab work.The Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Montana Western seeks a field-based geologist who is a passionate teacher and student-centered researcher. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to use Montana Western's unique immersion scheduling model (Experience One) to engage undergraduate students in field and project learning as a part of their teaching and research agenda. Our immersion-scheduling model, where students take and faculty teach a single 3.5-week class at a time, is central to the mission of the campus and an unparalleled opportunity for a talented and creative educator to merge research with student learning. Successful candidates will be able to clearly demonstrate how they will engage students in place-based field projects using the natural lab that is southwest Montana.
The Environmental Sciences Department consists of an interdisciplinary group of geoscientists dedicated to getting students into the field to work on real projects of value to society. We are good at what we do, having recently been ranked as the 5th best environmental sciences program in the nation by Schools.com, and strive for continual improvement. We prepare our students to lead successful careers with natural resource management agencies, land conservation organizations, and private industries as environmental scientists, managers, sustainability specialists, and naturalists. Post-graduation placements from our programs are extremely high with an increasing number of students pursuing graduate programs. We also foster a family atmosphere, which we consider essential to student success and a positive faculty work environment.
As an undergraduate-serving institution, the candidate should be an engaging and dedicated teacher who is committed to undergraduate student learning and success through fieldwork, lab work, and project-based research. Providing students with authentic practice in the discipline is central to our experiential focus. Teaching responsibilities will include a mix of upper-level geology courses such as Rocks and Minerals, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, and Structural Geology as well as lower-level Physical Geology and Environmental Science courses. There will also be opportunities to develop courses in the chosen candidate's area of interest. The teaching load is 12 semester credits, which are taught during three of four blocks per semester. The fourth block is for required professional development activities, including publishing results from class-based research, writing grants to further undergraduate research, collaborating with community partners, and presenting at professional meetings. The successful candidate will be able to advise, mentor, and support students, and supervise internships and senior theses as well as serve on campus committees and be an active member of the Montana Western campus community.
Qualifications

• Doctorate (ABD considered) in Geology or a related field such as Earth Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography, or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to merge research with field and project teaching using local resources and our unique immersion block, Experience One, scheduling system.
• Demonstrated commitment to field-based, experiential learning and innovative undergraduate education, especially utilizing the natural lab that is southwest Montana.

Preferred

• College-level teaching experience as instructor-of-record in Geology and Environmental Science.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellence in undergraduate, project-based teaching.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate research and obtaining support funding.

Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin January 22nd, 2026 but will remain open until the position is filled.
All application materials should be submitted as a single PDF file with page numbers. Candidates will need to successfully complete interview(s), where teaching evaluations may be requested.
A complete application includes:
1. Letter of Interest - addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as "Dear Search Committee" or "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable.
2. A Teaching Philosophy Statement (less than 2 pages)
3. A Research Statement (less than 2 pages)
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Professional References - names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
6. Official or Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required at time of hire)
Note: Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.
Questions regarding this position can be made to Dr. Spruce Schoenemann at spruce.schoenemann@umwestern.edu
The University and Dillon Area
The University of Montana Western is a dynamic, innovative, undergraduate university with over 70 full-time faculty and over 1,200 students. It is located in Dillon, Montana in the scenic Rocky Mountains and has been awarded numerous top national rankings for delivering high quality, affordable education.
Montana Western is the only public four-year college in the nation offering Experience One (X1), experiential learning delivered on the block schedule. Class sizes are small and students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days, before moving on to the next course. Each course is four credits and four blocks are offered each semester. The block schedule facilitates field and lab work, undergraduate research, study travel (domestic and abroad), and interdisciplinary teaching. Montana Western's faculty strongly believe in mentoring and inspiring students and assisting them in the transition from university life to professional careers.
The University of Montana Western is an integral part of the Dillon Community. With a population of approximately 4,000 people, Dillon is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities, and an excellent quality of life.