The posting
Summary: The Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Water Resources to begin Fall 2027. Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in ecology & evolution, freshwater science, aquatic chemistry & toxicology, limnology, ecological engineering, or a closely related field. We welcome applications from researchers working at any spatial scale, in any freshwater system (lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, or groundwater), at any level of biological or environmental organization, and using any mode of inference, from empirical to computational. Applicants who can augment our existing strengths in conservation and restoration ecology, environmental sensing and detection, human and environment interactions, and aquatic biogeochemistry and contaminants are particularly encouraged to apply.
The mission of AWRI is to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. Over our 40-year history we have built a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration, deep community engagement, and a commitment to faculty and staff well-being. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Required Qualifications and Education:
- Ph.D. focused in ecology and evolution, freshwater science, aquatic chemistry and toxicology, limnology, ecological engineering, or closely related field.
- A demonstrated record of publishing quality research in their field of expertise.
- Potential for successful college-level teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in research.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.
Preferred Qualifications and Education:
- Success obtaining extramural funding for research.
- A desire to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
- Interest in engaging in a robust community engagement and education program.
Responsibilities: Tenure-track faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are typically hired on nine-month contracts. Tenure-track faculty at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) will balance their teaching and research workloads in collaboration with the AWRI Executive Director. A minimum of three-credit hours of teaching is required per year and remaining workload is allocated to research with specific expectations defined using credit-hour equivalents. Tenure-track faculty are also expected to engage in service within and beyond the institution, as well as community engagement activities that suit the successful candidate's interests and the department’s needs.
Salary & Benefits: Minimum starting salary: $80,000; commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.
Department: AWRI is a world-class research facility situated on Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The institute houses a dozen faculty, numerous research staff, and a robust M.S. program in Biology with an aquatic science emphasis. Located 30 miles from the main Grand Valley State University campus, AWRI maintains state-of-the-art analytical and molecular laboratories, a mesocosm facility, and two research vessels. Please visit the AWRI website (www.gvsu.edu/wri) for more information on our faculty, facilities, research programs, educational programs, and outreach initiatives.
College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest and most intellectually diverse college at Grand Valley State University, offering over 50 bachelor’s degree programs, badges, and certificates spanning the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.
University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan. GVSU has multiple campuses—the Valley Campus in Allendale, Michigan; the City Campus located in downtown Grand Rapids; and several regional centers, including AWRI in Muskegon, Michigan. The University attracts 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of more than one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. GVSU is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information on Community Resources can be found on the Community Resources page of the GVSU Human Resources website.
How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:
- A cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to join AWRI
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement
- Teaching statement
- The names and contact information of three references
The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically to the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, email Human Resources at [email protected]. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Stuart Jones, Allen and Helen Hunting Executive Director of AWRI at [email protected].
Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on October 16, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.
