Full-Time Faculty Position in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Assistant Professor

Full-Time Faculty Position in

Earth and Environmental Sciences:

Assistant Professor Programme:

Earth and Environmental Sciences (two positions)

School:

School of Arts and Sciences Reportsto:

Associate Dean, Khorog Campus Duty station:

Khorog, Tajikistan Deadline:

20August 2026

Commencement Date:

1 January 2027

Contract Period:

Fixed term for 2 years,renewable with potential transition to open-ended contract after 2 years Position Summary UCA is committedto developing a research-led academic environment, and candidates are expected to place research and scholarly activity at the core of theiracademic practice. Position I) IT, Programming, Earth and Environment The Earth and EnvironmentalSciences programme invites applications for a research-oriented faculty position at the intersection of Earth and environmental systems andinformation technologies. We seek a scientist with expertise in IT, Programming, GIS, and Remote Sensing, and a strong track record or clearpotential to develop an internationally recognized research profile in these areas. The successful candidate will be expected toestablish and sustain an active research programme, including publication, grant development and collaboration with regional andinternational partners, particularly in areas relevant to mountain systems, climate change and resource management. The candidate willcontribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives across the University and play a key role in advancing UCA's research agenda. Inaddition, the candidate will contribute to undergraduate teaching through the delivery of courses aligned with their expertise, will mentorstudents, will support the development of innovative, research-led teaching approaches, and will engage in the development of futuremaster's programmes in this area. Position II) Water, Soil, Environment We seek a research-activeenvironmental scientist, pedologist, or physical geographer with a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental systemsrelevant to mountain regions. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain a coherent and externally visible researchprogramme, including publication, grant development and engagement with regional and international research networks. The positionoffers the opportunity to contribute to emerging areas of research in environmental science, sustainability and natural resource management,with particular emphasis on translating scientific knowledge into practical and policy-relevant applications. Teachingresponsibilities will include contributing to undergraduate courses in Soil Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Pollution, WaterPolicy and Environmental Governance. There will also be the opportunity to engage in the development and delivery of future master'sprogrammes in this field. It is expected that the candidate's teaching will be informed by and integrated with the candidate's researchexpertise. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research and education, to advance research inenvironmental systems, and to prepare students to address complex issues in sustainability and natural resource management. Desirable Attributes Research and Scholarly Activity Demonstrated ability, or strongpotential, to develop an independent research agenda of international quality, including peer-reviewed publications and grant activity Capacity to contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research programmes, particularly those aligned with UCA's focus onmountain systems, climate change, and sustainable development Interest in knowledge exchange, policy engagement, and appliedresearch impact in regional contexts Teaching and Supervision Ability to deliverresearch-informed undergraduate teaching across core and elective courses Commitment to student supervision and mentoring,including undergraduate research projects Willingness to adopt innovative and student-centred teaching methods, aligned with aresearch-led curriculum Experience in Central Asia Curriculum and Academic Development Contribution to the ongoing development of a research-informed curriculum in Earth and Environmental Sciences Engagement withthe development of future postgraduate programmes Collaboration and Institutional Engagement Willingness to work across programmes and units, including collaboration with UCA's Graduate School of Development Engagement withbroader academic and research communities within and beyond Central Asia About UCA's Academic Programmes UCA's School of Arts and Sciences combines the best of a student-centred liberal arts environment with the intellectualrigor of a research university. The faculty is committed to offering an inclusive, engaging, and dynamic academic experience, delivered inEnglish, to ensure that students are prepared to contribute meaningfully to both regional and global challenges. UCA encouragescollaborative teaching, especially across disciplines such as Economics, Media and Communications, and Computer Sciences, which providesopportunities for faculty to engage in a wide range of cross-disciplinary research. Our Graduate School ofDevelopment is actively developing postgraduate programmes and focuses on research in areas such as Environmental issues, ClimateChange and Sustainability in Mountainous areas. This provides additional opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, allowingfaculty to engage with and contribute to global developments in these fields. Earth and Environmental Sciences ProgrammeOverview The Earth and Environmental Sciences programme at UCA provides a broad scientifically focused curriculum groundedin relevant social and cultural issues important in mountain regions of Central Asia and beyond. It provides a rigorous foundation in theEarth and Environmental Sciences, while enabling students to have flexibility to choose courses and undertake research in specialized areasof interest. The transdisciplinary curriculum covers geosciences, environmental sciences, and related social sciences. At its foundation arecore courses in natural sciences together with requisite courses in the humanities and social sciences. The strength of the programme liesin its breadth and cross-disciplinary nature with specific areas of study in hydrology, geodynamics, ecology, and environmental policy andabundant opportunities for field trips in the proximate mountains. An overarching theme of the EES Program is understanding theenvironmental and earth science processes that shape mountain settings, as well as how these interact with mountain communities andlivelihoods. Some of the practical topics covered include sustainable management of natural resources; natural hazard mitigation; foodsecurity; climate change adaptation; water resources and sustainable energy alternatives. Students receive practical training outside of theclassroom in laboratory exercises, summer internships, and in a senior project (diploma thesis), which prepares them for careeropportunities or graduate study in earth and environmental science fields.

UCA Background:

The Universityof Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by thePresidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV; ratified by their respectiveparliaments and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness Prince Rahim Aga KhanV is the Chancellor. UCA's mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities,by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education and becoming a leading research university in the region andinternationally. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network.

For more information:

www.ucentralasia.org Minimum Qualifications Ph.D. from a reputableuniversity with specialization in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a clear potential for high-level research, particularly incollaborative settings. Fluency in English is required. Potential to develop a profile of national and international repute inresearch publication, knowledge exchange, impact and grant capture. Why Join UCA?

Impactful Teachingand Research:

Contribute to an academic institution that is dedicated to fostering innovation and development in Central Asia andbeyond.

Collaboration and Growth:

Be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary academic environment, with opportunitiesfor collaboration and research across multiple fields of societal relevance.

Regional Leadership:

Lead thedevelopment of innovative solutions to regional challenges in technology, data science, and digital policy. Support for

Female Scholars:

UCA is deeply committed to supporting all scholars in STEM fields, providing opportunities to further advancegender equity in academia. Teaching experience requirements Demonstrated ability to contribute toundergraduate teaching informed by research expertise Commitment to high-quality teaching and student learning Experience (or readiness) to contribute to curriculum delivery in an interdisciplinary environment at both undergraduate and postgraduatelevel Research experience requirements: Evidence of research capability, includingpublications or high-qualty publication pipeline linked to doctoral or postdoctoral work Clear potential to develop externallyfunded research activity Experience, or strong interest, in collaborative and interdisciplinary research Willingness tocontribute to research-led teaching and supervision of student research projects Awareness of current and future industry trendsand a willingness to engage with the public and private sector. How to Apply Please submit thefollowing documents : Up-to-date resume Cover Letter List of published work and link to the GoogleScholar profile List of at least three references who may comment on your teaching/research experience Teachingevaluations (if applicable) on https://tinyurl.com/bdcvxhvz by 20 August 2026. Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applicationsare strongly encouraged.

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