The Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University is seeking applicants for a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in paleontology to start by August 2025. We seek applicants who have broad research and teaching interests within developing areas of paleontology. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work bridges subdisciplines within paleontology and Earth sciences.
This person will teach an average of three courses per year and maintain a significant level of graduate-student mentoring. In addition, the faculty will serve as the curator and collections manager of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate collegiality, professionalism, and a strong commitment to teaching excellence and the university mission. Expectations also include supporting department/university activities and maintaining an active scholarly profile. The workload expectation for this position is divided into 50% in the Department of Geosciences and 50% at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. The successful candidate will need to meet the United States criteria for eligibility for employment.
Application Process:
Qualified candidates must submit the following documents:
- Cover letter describing your qualifications and successes with respect to the listed qualifications
- CV
- Contact information for three professional references
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Applicant must have a Ph.D. in Geology, Earth Sciences, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university at the time of appointment. ABD candidates may be considered.
- Evidence of success or potential success teaching paleontology and geology courses
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiar with using geospatial technology
- Demonstrated competence with online teaching and course development
- Evidence of research potential involving both undergraduate and graduate students
- Success recruiting and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds
- Plans for a research program involving undergraduate and graduate students
Rank: Assistant Professor
Appointment Date: August 2025
Appointment Deadline: Screening of applications will begin January 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.
Salary: The best current, good faith estimate of the salary is $76,250, which is based on data from the College and University Professional Association (CUPA). This amount is subject to change.
Resposibilities:
- Teaching lecture and lab classes in Geosciences
- Academic and research mentoring
- Departmental service
- Scholarly research involving Geosciences interests
- Serve as the curator and collections manager for the museum
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact the search committee chair:
Name: Dr. Jonathan Sumrall
Phone: (785) 628-5348
About the Department:
The Department of Geosciences has 8 Full time faculty members with expertise in geography and geology. The Department offers the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (Geology – On campus)
- Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (Geography - On campus and online)
- Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (Applied Geology – On campus and online)
- Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geosciences (On campus and online)
- Master of Science in Geoscience (Geography or Geology; Thesis or Non-Thesis)
In addition to mediated classrooms, Departmental resources include a GIS lab, cartography lab, petroleum lab, rock and fossil labs, and geochemistry lab.
About the College:
The Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics was formed in 2015 by bringing together the departments of Agriculture, Applied Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics. The college employs approximately 75 full-time faculty, 1300 undergraduate majors, and 50+ graduate students. It also makes significant contributions to the university’s General Education program and to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, which is an early-college program for high-achieving high-school students. Undergraduate students participate in technical, classroom, field, and lab experiences that many schools would reserve for graduate students. Its academic programs are innovative and facilities outstanding. The Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics teachers embrace a one-on-one teaching and mentoring philosophy and provide robust research opportunities for students.
About Sternberg Museum:
Sternberg Museum of Natural History advances an appreciation and understanding of Earth’s natural history and the evolutionary forces that impact it. With an emphasis on the Great Plains, its goals are accomplished through research, publications, collections, interpretive exhibits, and educational programs created by our staff, colleagues, and community.
The Museum is a department of the Peter J. Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at Fort Hays State University. The museum hosts approximately 45,000 visitors each year with outreach programs that reach another 5,000 people. The Sternberg has 23 acres of nature trails adjacent to the museum.
In terms of scientific holdings, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History ranks among the best natural history museums. No other state university of comparable size to FHSU has a natural history museum comparable in size and scientific importance as the Sternberg Museum. Its collections include one of the finest assemblages of Pteranodon material, the largest collection of fossil grasses, and a truly outstanding collection of Cretaceous marine and Neogene terrestrial vertebrate fossils. The Sternberg also holds some of the largest collections of mammals, reptiles, fish and plants from Kansas and the Great Plains.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
