Macalester College, Environmental Studies

Position ID:

Macalester-EnvironmentalStudies-VAPECOLOGY [#31495]

Position Title:

Environmental Studies VAP in Ecology 2026-2027

Position Type:

Non tenure-track faculty

Position Location:

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105, United States of America

Subject Area:

Environmental Studies / Ecology

Appl Deadline:

2026/02/02 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2026/01/08, listed until 2026/02/15)

Position Description:

Title: Visiting Faculty Department: Environmental Studies Term: 2026-2027 Academic Year The Macalester College Department of Environmental Studies invites applications for a five course (1.0FTE) non-tenure-track visiting position in Ecology. We seek applicants who are committed to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. Areas of research specialization might include aquatic ecology, agroecology, biogeochemistry, and/or urban ecology, ideally in the context of addressing environmental inequities and/or climate change, adaptation and resilience. Candidates for this position could employ a range of research methods depending on their field of expertise. ABD candidates will be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. In addition, candidates relying on an OPT Visa with a STEM extension are not eligible for hire.

For over fifty years, Macalester has had a dedicated and deeply interdisciplinary focus on Environmental Studies. We use case studies, problem-solving, and a community-centered approach to address environmental problems at the local, national and global levels. Our core faculty bring expertise from the humanities, social sciences, physical, and biological sciences. Our affiliated faculty come from all corners of campus, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, economics, education, geography, geology, and physics. The successful candidate would have the option to teach our required introductory course Ecology and the Environment, as well as other courses at a variety of levels of the curriculum; we welcome candidates who can cross-list courses in other departments and college-wide concentrations.

Candidates should submit their materials on Academic Jobs Online by Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, for full consideration. The cover letter should include a statement of interest in Macalester and the Environmental Studies Department. Strong candidates will have experience and vision regarding teaching and mentorship of students of diverse backgrounds with attention to structural barriers that limit access to educational opportunities.

In addition to the cover letter, applications should include: * Curriculum vitae * Teaching and Research Statement * Candidates should be prepared to provide two letters of reference by Monday, Feb. 16, if requested

Teaching and Research Statement should include: * Teaching philosophy and statement of effective strategies for teaching and learning; * Commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students, including students from diverse backgrounds; * Research specialization within Ecology * Prior experience with Ecology teaching and coursework

Compensation and Benefits: The starting salary range for this position will be $60,000-65,000 and will depend upon teaching experience and highest degree attained.

At Macalester, we offer a generous package of employee benefits. Here are some highlights: * Comprehensive health insurance options, including a high-deductible health plan and PPO plan. * Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account. * Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions. * Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan. * Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities. You may see our full benefits options on our Benefits Page (https://www.macalester.edu/human-resources/benefits/).

To apply, electronically submit through Academic Jobs Online. We encourage candidates to discuss in their cover letter how they see themselves as aligned with Macalester's mission and statement of purpose and belief (https://www.macalester.edu/about/mission/). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to the chair of the search committee, Professor Chris Wells, wells@macalester.edu.

At Macalester College, equity and inclusion are central to our educational mission and values. We are committed to preparing students to be agents of change who create a more just and peaceful world. Strong candidates have a demonstrated commitment to teaching students from diverse backgrounds and recognize that structural barriers limit access to educational opportunities.

Macalester College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college in the vibrant Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, with a population of approximately three million people and home to numerous colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota. Macalester College is located in Saint Paul on the ancestral homeland of the Dakota people who were forcibly exiled because of aggressive and persistent settler colonialism. Macalester’s diverse student body comprises over 2000 undergraduates (15% international and 32% US students of color), who hail from 45 states and over 70 nations. The College maintains a longstanding commitment to academic excellence, with a special emphasis on internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society. As an Equal Opportunity employer supportive of affirmative efforts to achieve diversity among its faculty, Macalester College strongly encourages applications from women, non-binary people, and members of historically underrepresented minority groups.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching and Research Statement
Two references (actual letters acceptable but not required, just names and email addresses )

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

https://www.macalester.edu/environmentalstudies/

651-696-6803

Macalester College
1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105