Environmental Studies Assistant Professor at St. Olaf College, Minnesota 2025

Job Description

St. Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Environmental Studies, with a specialization in North American Indigenous Environmental Relations. This opportunity will begin in August 2026 and seeks an individual dedicated to teaching, community engagement, and scholarship that highlights Indigenous relationships with land, culture, and ecology.

Organization Profile

St. Olaf College is a nationally ranked liberal arts institution with a deep commitment to inclusive excellence, sustainability, and global engagement. The Department of Environmental Studies (ES) is one of the most dynamic and interdisciplinary programs on campus, consistently ranking in the top 10 majors. Faculty members in ES help students explore complex environmental issues through natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.

Job Title:

• Assistant Professor – Environmental Studies (Indigenous Environmental Relations)
• Employment Type: Full-Time | Tenure-Track
  Department Hiring: Environmental Studies

Position Description

We seek candidates whose teaching and scholarship focus on the relationships between North American Indigenous nations and their landscapes, territories, or ecosystems. A historical lens in teaching and research is preferred. Candidates with sustained connections to Indigenous communities and with the potential for community-engaged research and co-creation of knowledge are highly encouraged to apply.

Primary Teaching Responsibilities Include:

• Integration & Application in Environmental Studies (ENVST 237)
• A course in Environmental History
• Electives in areas of expertise, such as:
  • Environmental justice
  • Native land, sovereignty, and territory
  • Traditional ecological knowledge
  • Indigenous cultural resource management

Salary Range:

$74,190 – $79,000

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in Native American and Indigenous Studies, History, Environmental Humanities/Studies, or related field (by August 2026)
• Demonstrated teaching experience and scholarship in Indigenous environmental relations

Preferred:

• Active ties with Indigenous communities
• Experience in community-based and interdisciplinary teaching
• ABD candidates will be considered

Job Location:

1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057, USA

How to Apply

To apply for this tenure-track position at St. Olaf College, please submit the following:

• Cover Letter: Outline qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Unofficial Graduate Transcripts
• Teaching Statement (max 1,000 words): Philosophy, pedagogy, and courses you would offer
• Professional Statement (max 1,000 words): Current and future research, and how you would involve students
• Contact Information for Three References: References will be contacted during the interview stage

Note: In all materials, highlight how your teaching, research, or service contributes to a diverse and inclusive campus community.

Submit Questions To:
Anne Gothmann, Search Committee Chair
Email: tt2026envst@stolaf.edu

Application Review Begins: September 22, 2025
Interviews Expected: November 2025
Position Start Date: August 2026

Nondiscrimination Statement

St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment in any program or activity, including in admissions and employment. For more information, contact Pamela McDowell, Director of Equal Opportunity, at mcdowell@stolaf.edu or (507) 786-3465.

Important Link:

Official Notification: Click Here