Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

Description

We seek an interdisciplinary environmental scholar specializing in the humanities or humanistic social sciences. Candidates should be able to teach our broad interdisciplinary introductory environmental studies class as well as electives at lower and higher levels in areas such as geography, environmental history, urban studies, anthropology, or philosophy. The position begins on July 1 2026. 

The successful candidate will teach two courses per semester. These will include “Nature and Society: An Introduction to Environmental Studies”; a sophomore-level “foundational” class in environmental studies relating to culture or the humanities (an introduction to the key topics in and methods of a subfield of environmental studies); and environment-related electives suitable for a liberal arts curriculum, with specific topics based on the successful candidate’s expertise as well as the curricular needs of the program. Our new colleague will have opportunities to work with and mentor undergraduate research students; internal funds may be available to support student-faculty research. In addition, Williams offers visiting faculty participation in the college’s professional development program First3, access to a number of online NCFDD resources, and support through the College’s Rice Center for Teaching.

The Environmental Studies Program (https://www.williams.edu/environmental-studies/) is committed to providing excellent and inclusive curricular and co-curricular opportunities for all students, including majors, concentrators, and those who take our classes as liberal arts electives. We are a collegial, student-centered program, actively engaged in research and dedicated to broadening participation in environmental studies. We offer courses in environmental justice and policy, environmental history, urban history and theory, cultural geography, and environmental science.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to applications received by Dec 31 2025.

Qualifications

Preferred applicants will have a Ph.D. or dissertation completed by the time of appointment, teaching experience, and a demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring and advising a diverse population of students.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply via Interfolio. 

The Application Should Include:

1) a cover letter

2) a curriculum vitae

3) evidence of teaching effectiveness, if available

4) brief descriptions of two classes: an interdisciplinary introductory environmental studies class and a broad sophomore-level “foundational” class in culture or the humanities (an introduction to key topics in and the methods of a subfield of environmental studies)

5) a 1-2 page statement describing their area(s) of scholarly interest

6) contact information for three references; references will be contacted for those who advance to the finalist stage of the search. 

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and strongly encourage individuals whose experiences and perspectives will enhance our commitment to academic excellence and innovation to apply. All offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background check. Further information is available here: https://faculty.williams.edu/faculty-support-and-resources/prospective-faculty/background-check-policy/ 

Priority will be given to applications received by Dec 31 2025. We will review applications in January and will continue until the position is filled. Semi-finalist interviews will begin online in late January, and we intend to proceed to the finalist stage and complete the hiring process by the end of February. For questions, please contact the Program Chair, Dr. Sarah Jacobson, saj2@williams.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Williams College is a liberal arts institution located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. The college has built its reputation on outstanding teaching and scholarship and on the academic excellence of its approximately 2,000 students. Please visit the Williams College website (http://www.williams.edu). Williams promotes equal opportunity and makes all employment decisions on a non-discriminatory basis. Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where individuals of all identities and backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.