Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor

The Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for an open-rank faculty position in any area of geoscience that deepens our knowledge of critical strategic and economically important elements and mineral resources in the lithosphere. Areas of interest include but are not limited to geochemistry and mineralogy ore-forming processes fluid-rock interactions occurrences and concentrations of critical elements and minerals and structural controls on mineralization. Potential applications include mineral exploration and targeting resource characterization and assessment critical-element recovery unconventional and secondary resources and mine wastes and environmentally responsible resource development.

We welcome applicants who seek discovery through creative combinations of laboratory experimental field computational and/or data-intensive approaches and who pursue opportunities across geoscience engineering materials science environmental science and related fields. Candidates may employ methods ranging from mineralogical and geochemical characterization to experimental petrology numerical modeling geospatial analysis automated mineralogy machine learning or other emerging approaches.

The Virginia Tech Department of Geosciences has long-established excellence in mineralogy geochemistry fluids and petrology including multiple National Academy of Sciences members recipients of major international medals and numerous AGU and GSA Fellows. With substantial university investments in critical mineral science engineering and workforce development together with close collaboration between Geosciences and the Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering the successful candidate will join Virginia Tech during a period of significant growth in the critical mineral and subsurface sciences. We seek an outstanding and ambitious scientist who will help shape this growing initiative develop an innovative externally funded research program that spans fundamental and/or applied research and who will contribute creatively to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. The successful candidate may be appointed at the assistant associate or full professor level commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Virginia Tech is a comprehensive land-grant university located in Blacksburg Virginia a location which offers an exceptional quality of life a welcoming community and access to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Virginia Tech is united around the motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) with a strong commitment to making real-world impact and a collaborative and inclusive academic culture. The university community is dedicated to the transdisciplinary pursuit of discovery and experiential education that prepares tomorrows leaders and difference-makers. The Department of Geosciences has nearly forty faculty many of whom are globally recognized leaders in their field and shares a positive and friendly culture in which everyone matters and is welcome.

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. in geoscience or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

1) A strong record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
2) A clear research vision that complements areas of ongoing interest in the Department of Geosciences.
3) A compelling vision for student-focused teaching.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Assistant $90000 - $100000;

Associate $115000 - $130000

Full $145000 - $200000

Hours per week

40 hours; FLSA Status is Exempt

Review Date

December 14 2026

Additional Information

Applicants must submit their application materials online at in response to posting 537652. Application materials include a cover letter curriculum vitae detailed research plan statement of teaching philosophy and names and contact information of at least three references. Review of applications will begin on December 14 2026 and continue until the position is filled. For questions about the position please contact Mark Caddick Search Committee Chair at For further information about the Department of Geosciences please visit . The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

A background check is required.

This position may require some travel to meetings and conferences.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.