Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering

Position description:

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering welcomes applicants with a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and mentoring undergraduates in the field of Environmental Engineering. The CEE Department currently has expertise in the areas of water quality, soil and sediment remediation, risk assessment, hydrology, sustainable treatment, water and wastewater management, and contaminant fate and transport processes. We are looking to expand and diversify our areas of focus into areas associated with the broad topic of air (e.g., air quality, climate change, atmospheric interactions, air pollution management, environmental change and adaptation, aerosol-climate interactions, wildfire-atmosphere interactions, wind power meteorology, and/or climate engineering). Experience working directly with communities is a plus. The new hire will teach courses in the curriculum as appropriate, including core classes such as Thermofluids, Introduction to Environmental Engineering and/or Contaminant Fate and Transport, as well as the development and teaching of upper level environmental engineering electives in their area of expertise. In addition, there is an expectation that all new hires in the Department will teach at least one course annually to non-engineers ideally as part of the College’s new Complex Questions/Global Challenges and Social Justice common curriculum. The new hire will also be heavily involved in the ABET accreditation process which includes opportunities for curriculum development and assessment.

The successful candidate will also have a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration. The CEE department has a close relationship with the Environmental Science, Policy, and Engineering Program. In addition, consistent with Union’s goal to break new ground with respect to integrating engineering fields with the liberal arts, we also welcome applicants who are eager to explore joint programming possibilities with departments and programs in the humanities and social sciences. 

All candidates must have an earned Ph.D. degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a related Engineering field; applicants close to finishing their Ph.D. will be considered. Successful candidates will demonstrate the potential to advance a research program at Union College that involves undergraduates. Preference will also be given to those who have a demonstrated interest in undergraduate teaching. Professional licensure (P.E) in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering is preferred but not required.

About the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department:

Union currently offers ABET-accredited degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering.  The department of Civil and Environmental Engineering began offering B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering during the 2023-2024 academic year and is actively working toward ABET accreditation. This project is part of a strategic initiative, supported by a historic gift, to both broaden Union’s engineering offerings and integrate the study of engineering and computer science with the liberal arts, inside and outside of the classroom, to benefit students across the College.

Application instructions:

Please submit all application materials as pdf files. Only the materials listed below will be considered.

• Cover letter

• Curriculum Vitae

• Statement of research experience and interests

• Statement of teaching experience and philosophy  

Please send questions and other inquiries to Carolyn Rodak, Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at ceechair@union.edu. Applicants invited to the first round of interviews may receive a request for the contact information for three professional references who can speak to their abilities in teaching and research in Environmental Engineering. 

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by November 30, 2025 will receive priority consideration.   

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $93,000-$96,000.  Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location: Schenectady, NY

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)

• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs

• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development

• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan

• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability

• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Background Checks: In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation: Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).