Assistant Professor of Physical Geography

California State University, Fullerton’s Department of Geography & the Environment invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Physical Geography, beginning Fall 2027.

About the University

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a leading public university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. As one of the largest campuses in the CSU system, Cal State Fullerton fosters innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. The university values teaching, research, and service, creating an environment where students, staff, and faculty thrive.

CSUF is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The university received the Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024, recognizing its commitment to Latinx student success. With a diverse student population of over 45,000 and a faculty and staff of 4,000, CSUF is dedicated to helping students achieve academic excellence, career success, and economic mobility.

About the Department

The Department of Geography & the Environment offers a B.A. in Geography, a B.A. in Geography with a Concentration in Environmental Analysis, Certificates in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Technologies, Minors in Geography, Sustainability and Urban Studies, and an M.A. in Geography. The department features dedicated labs for GIS, remote sensing, and dendrochronology, and emphasizes experiential learning through field trips, field classes, and study abroad programs.

The department is part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS), the largest college at CSUF, offering 23 undergraduate degrees, 38 minors, and 15 graduate degrees. H&SS focuses on educating students to be culturally, globally, socially, historically, and environmentally astute, with initiatives promoting civic engagement, social justice, and global awareness.

About the Role

The department seeks a physical geographer using scientific methods to understand natural processes and Earth systems. Applicants with specializations in water resource sciences, conservation biogeography, or coastal and marine physical and biological processes are encouraged to apply.

Faculty at CSUF are committed teacher-scholars who integrate research and creative discovery into classrooms, labs, studios, and mentored projects. They teach broadly in their department’s curricula, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach introductory and core courses in physical geography, as well as courses in the candidate’s area of specialization. Potential courses include:
  • Introduction to the Natural Environment
  • Global Environmental Problems
  • Geomorphology
  • Natural Vegetation
  • Desert Landscapes
  • Coastal Environment
  • Senior and graduate-level Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Mountain Field Geography
  • Graduate-level Physical Geography courses in the candidate’s area of specialization
• Integrate GIS methods into the curriculum (preferred).
• Produce scholarship commensurate with tenure requirements.
• Contribute to the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Ph.D. in Geography, with a specialization in Physical Geography. ABD candidates may apply but must show evidence of degree completion by the time of appointment.
• Preferred:
  • A proven record of teaching.
  • Research experience in physical and/or environmental geography, supported by scholarly accomplishments (e.g., publications, conference presentations).
  • Field experience and an interest in leading students in the field.
  • Proficiency in GIS technologies for teaching and research.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Candidate Statement on Inclusive Excellence

Applicants must submit a statement (no more than 500 words) addressing their commitment to inclusive excellence. This statement should include concrete examples of how the candidate will support CSUF’s diverse student population in one or more of the following areas:

• Embedding perspectives reflective of the student population into teaching and/or scholarship.
• Service activities that engage a diverse student population.
• Mentoring and providing opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the classroom.
• Integrating creative activities inclusive of the identities of CSUF’s student body and communities.

Pay

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $7,023 to $7,163 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The California Equal Pay Act ensures equitable compensation for substantially similar work.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental plans.
• Spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee-waiver.
• Access to campus child-care.
• Defined-benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax-sheltering opportunities.
• Additional benefits may include summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load.

For more details on benefits, visit CSUF Total Wellness.