Assistant/Associate Professor - Stable Isotope Geochemistry

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry to begin in August 2027. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in geochemistry, geology, Earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, or a closely related discipline by the start date of the appointment. For best consideration, all application materials must be received by December 13, 2026.

We seek a scientist who uses stable isotopic methods to address fundamental questions about Earth or other planetary systems. The successful candidate will develop an independent, externally funded research program in stable isotope geochemistry and contribute to the intellectual environment and technical capabilities of the UNM Center for Stable Isotopes (CSI). The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience with stable isotope instrumentation, laboratory techniques, and analytical workflows, ideally including isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and one or more laser-based approaches, such as laser spectroscopy, laser fluorination, laser ablation, compound-specific isotope analysis, or related methods. We are particularly interested in scientists who thrive in the laboratory and are committed to advancing state-of-the-art analytical capabilities through instrument development, calibration, quality control, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The new faculty member will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in geochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, and related areas of Earth, planetary, or environmental science; advise and mentor master's and doctoral students; and participate in departmental and professional service. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty and students across disciplines, participate in training students and other users in stable isotope methods, and have opportunities to develop new analytical capabilities within CSI. They will also have opportunities to contribute to our two-week summer course, IsoCamp (isocamp.org), and pursue a leadership role in CSI.

CSI is an interdisciplinary research and analytical facility supporting stable isotope research across Earth and Planetary Sciences, Biology, Anthropology, Chemistry, and the Biomedical Sciences. The center provides broad access to instrumentation for measuring stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and chlorine in organic and inorganic materials, as well as hands-on training in sample collection, preparation, analysis, and data interpretation. Its current infrastructure includes approximately 10 isotope-ratio mass spectrometers capable of high-precision analysis of triple oxygen isotope composition of solid substrates via laser ablation and fluorination or CO2 via tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectroscopy, as well as carbon, nitrogen, or hydrogen isotope analysis of individual compounds (for example, alkanes and fatty or amino acids). The existing instrumentation, technical infrastructure, and interdisciplinary user community at CSI provide a strong foundation for building an internationally visible research program and developing collaborations across UNM and beyond. More detailed information is available at https://csi.unm.edu/center-stable-isotopes.

UNM is the premier research university in New Mexico, is a Carnegie Highest Research Activity Institution. Our campus is located in the heart of Albuquerque, which has cultural, outdoor and recreational opportunities for everyone. Learn more about our city, our welcoming campus, and research opportunities at http://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/ and https://advance.unm.edu/why-unm/. For more information regarding the College of Arts and Science's ambitious hiring plan, including a list of departments that are hiring faculty members with shared interests, please see this page.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in geochemistry, geology, Earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Record of research and publication in stable isotope geochemistry as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

2. Demonstrated potential to establish and sustain an externally funded research program in stable isotope geochemistry as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

3. Experience with stable isotope analytical techniques, including isotope-ratio mass spectrometry and one or more laser-based isotope analytical approaches as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

4. Experience with the operation and stewardship of stable isotope analytical instrumentation, including calibration, quality control, maintenance, and troubleshooting as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

5. Evidence of the ability to contribute to the scientific and educational mission of the UNM Center for Stable Isotopes through development or application of analytical capabilities, hands-on training, and/or collaborative use of laboratory facilities as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

6. Evidence of effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring, or demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring, including the ability to contribute to the broader geoscience curriculum beyond the candidate's primary area of specialization as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

7. A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities as evidenced by CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and/or Cover Letter.

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Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.