The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level in environmental engineering. The anticipated start date is August 2027.
We seek an outstanding scholar and educator with the potential to build a nationally prominent, externally funded research program. This is a broad search, and candidates from all areas of environmental engineering are encouraged to apply. The department has some interest in reviewing applications from candidates whose work touches on air pollution, indoor air quality, links between climate and air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and/or ocean–atmosphere interactions; however, candidates from all areas of environmental engineering are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.
The successful candidate will contribute to the growth of environmental engineering research at URI and help advance the launch and long-term success of URI’s new Bachelor of Science degree program in Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will also be expected to develop a nationally recognized and externally funded research program; publish high-impact scholarship; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; contribute to the new BS Environmental Engineering curriculum; and participate in service to the department, college, university, profession, and broader community.
Applicants are expected to hold a terminal degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental health engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Required qualifications include evidence of potential for excellence in research and teaching; a strong record of scholarly activity appropriate to career stage; effective written and oral communication skills; and the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners. Preferred qualifications include evidence of potential for external research funding; experience advising or mentoring students; ability to teach core undergraduate or graduate environmental engineering courses; interest in program development; and Professional Engineering licensure or the ability to pursue licensure.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is housed within URI’s College of Engineering and is entering an exciting period of growth. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in civil and environmental engineering and is launching a new BS degree in Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will join URI at a pivotal moment, with opportunities to help shape a new undergraduate degree program while expanding the department’s research impact in environmental engineering.
Faculty and students in the College of Engineering work in the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering (FCAE), a 190,000-square-foot facility designed to support interdisciplinary engineering research and education. Research in the facility is organized around themes that include clean water, sensors and instrumentation, alternative energy, advanced materials, robotics, biomedical technology, and nanotechnology. FCAE also houses the Shimadzu Analytical Core, the RI Water Resources Center, and the RI Consortium for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
URI is Rhode Island’s flagship public research university. In 2025, URI achieved Carnegie R1 status, placing it among the nation’s highest research activity universities. URI was also ranked the No. 1 public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. The Kingston campus is located near Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic coast, with access to Providence, Boston, New York, and the coastal communities of southern Rhode Island. Rhode Island is also an EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction, providing faculty with access to targeted federal funding opportunities that support research capacity, collaboration, and innovation.
The position is covered under the URI/AAUP contract.
Applicants must apply online and submit the following materials:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement describing scholarly accomplishments, future research plans, and vision for building an externally funded research program
- Teaching statement describing teaching philosophy, experience, and potential contributions to the BS Environmental Engineering curriculum
- Copies of two relevant publications
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
First consideration will be given to applications received by November 15, 2026, but the position will remain open until filled. Questions about the position can be sent to search committee chair, Prof. Joe Goodwill, goodwill@uri.edu.
More information out the position can be found at: https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17152