Lecturer I-IV, Teaching Assistant Professor, Teaching Associate Professor or Teaching Professor, Mining Engineering

About the role

The Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering (MME) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) invites applications for a nine‑month, non‑tenure‑track faculty position in Mining Engineering. The successful applicant will be appointed as Lecturer I, II, III, IV, Teaching Assistant Professor, Teaching Associate Professor, or Teaching Professor, depending on qualifications, terminal degree, and level of relevant professional experience. This position is designed for an individual with substantial industry experience who is eager to share expertise with students and help prepare the next generation of mining professionals. Candidates from across the mining industry — including mining operations, consulting firms, aggregate and quarry sectors — are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver undergraduate and graduate courses in mining engineering, ensuring students develop strong theoretical foundations and practical, industry‑relevant skills.
• Mentor and advise students to support their career readiness and professional growth.
• Build strong connections between the department and the mining industry through guest lectures, site‑based projects, and collaborative initiatives.
• Engage actively with professional organizations such as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), and similar organizations while encouraging student participation and industry visibility.
• Organize or contribute to industry‑focused conferences, workshops, or summits, as appropriate.
• Support departmental outreach, workforce training, and applied research partnerships.
• Help prepare students for leadership roles in traditional mining and aggregate and quarry operations.

Service

• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees.
• Support the department’s strategic initiatives, including program development, accreditation, and community outreach.
• Participate actively in relevant professional societies.
• Contribute to professional activities such as journal editorial work and peer review, as appropriate to background and assigned rank.

Qualifications

Required

• Lecturer (I–IV): A master’s degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Teaching Assistant/Associate/Professor: A PhD in Mining Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Preferred

• Ten or more years of progressive industry experience in mining, with demonstrated expertise in production, operations, or management (including aggregate/quarry or surface/underground mining).
• A Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or a closely related field.
• Evidence of leadership, mentoring, or workforce development within the mining sector.
• Active engagement in professional organizations such as SME, NSSGA, or similar.
• Experience teaching, training, or mentoring students or industry professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to connect classroom instruction with real‑world mining practices.

Compensation

Salary is determined by rank (Lecturer I–IV or Teaching Assistant/Associate/Professor). The university’s academic faculty salary schedule applies; details are available at the UNR Salary Schedules page (select Academic Faculty).

Benefits

• Health insurance options including dental and vision.
• Generous sick leave, life insurance, and long‑term disability coverage.
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center — annual, semester, and family membership options.
• Mountain EAP counseling and advising services for employees and eligible dependents.
• Faculty Senate representation.
• No state income tax.
• Grants‑in‑aid: reduced‑rate tuition for faculty (up to six credits per semester) and unlimited credits for qualified dependents (unmarried, under 24, receiving ≥50% financial support).
• Dual Career Assistance Program for newly hired faculty spouses/partners.

Department information

The University of Nevada, Reno has a 150‑year history in mining dating back to the Comstock Lode. The Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, part of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, has played a central role in the university’s success and Nevada’s economic development. Nevada now hosts seven of the largest lithium deposits in the United States, positioning UNR and the Mackay School at the forefront of modern, sustainable resource development. More information: unr.edu/mining.

Contact

• Search Committee Chair: Gregory Stokes — gstokes@unr.edu
• Administrative Contact: Beth Jacobsen — (775) 682‑8787, jacobsenb@unr.edu

Application details

Required attachments:

• Resume/CV detailing professional achievements, industry roles, and (if applicable) academic, teaching, or training experience.
• Cover letter describing qualifications, relevant industry experience, and interest in the position.
• Contact information for three professional references (references contacted only for finalists).

Optional materials:

• Statement of teaching philosophy describing integration of industry experience into teaching and mentorship (may include previous teaching/training examples, approaches to connecting instruction with mining practice, plans for future courses, or student evaluations).
• Supporting documents demonstrating teaching ability, industry leadership, or other relevant professional contributions.

Deadlines: For full consideration, applications must be received by November 7, 2026. The posting closes January 12, 2027, or when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision is made (open until filled).

Position type: Exempt, full‑time (100% FTE), nine‑month appointment.