UND Logo

Research Assistant Professor, Geophysics, Non-Tenure Track

  • 497120
  • Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
  • Full-time Faculty

Salary/Position Classification

  • $80,000+ Dependent on Experience, Annual, Exempt
  • 40 hours per week
  • 100% Remote Work Availability: No
  • Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes

Purpose of Position

The College of Engineering & Mines (CEM) is seeking a research assistant professor with expertise in geophysics to contribute to technical areas including, but not limited to geothermal energy, planetary geology, and sedimentary basin geology. This position will also provide technical proposal development support to the College and may be expected to teach up to two courses per academic year in relevant areas of expertise.

The purpose of this position is threefold: 1) Support CEM’s efforts to develop and grow sponsored research in the areas of geothermal energy, planetary geology, and sedimentary basin geology, 2) Provide general technical proposal development support to the College’s faculty and staff researchers, and 3) Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas of relevant expertise to support the academic mission of the Harold Hamm School of Geology & Geological Engineering.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • 30% - Developing and submitting proposals for externally funded research to federal and state agencies, and private sector partners. Over time (within the first 1-2 years), the expectation is that the hire will be able to fund a significant portion of their salary via external awards.
  • 50% - General Technical Proposal Development Support:
    • Provide technical editing services for faculty and staff researchers
    • Support development of proposals through, for example, organizing and coordinating Pink/Red Team reviews and developing RFP requirements documentation/checklists to aid proposal teams in submitting fully compliant and high-quality proposals.
    • Provide support to proposal and research teams on items such as stakeholder engagement plans/implementation and in developing strategies for addressing inclusive and accessible research requirements or objectives.
    • Supporting the CEM Research Institute’s Executive Director in College-wide research business planning.
  • 20% - Teach up to two courses per academic year. Courses may include the following:
    • ENGR 590 – Special Topics in Engineering – Graduate Research Methods
    • GEOL 111/111L – Introduction to Planetary Geology & Lab
    • GEOL 450 – Advanced Planetary Geology o GEOL 550 – Investigations in Planetary Geoscience
    • GEOL 106 – Global Warming – The Facts and Myths o GEOL 330 – Structural Geology 

Required Competencies

  • Advanced knowledge in geothermal energy, planetary geology, and sedimentary basin geology

Minimum Requirements

  • PhD in Geophysics, Geology, or closely related discipline
  • Experience teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level
  • At least three years of experience in technical proposal development
  • Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Specific experience providing general technical proposal support in an academic setting, including technical writing/editing.
  • Familiarity with a wide range of funding agencies

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 10/15/2025 and include the following materials:

  • Resume
  • Statement of research and teaching objectives/interests
  • Names and contact information of three (3) professional references
  • Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.


Position is open until filled


Please note, all employment postings close at 11:55pm CST.

Position Benefits

Benefits include single or family health care coverage (UND pays the full premium), life insurance, employee assistance program, retirement plans with generous employer contributions, sick leave in addition to paid holidays.

Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

UND also offers an employee tuition waiver and a variety of professional development opportunities.

Find out more about UND's great benefits and perks here!

Want to be notified of similar opportunities?

Finalize your job alert by selecting criteria from the dropdowns below. You can select multiple options from each dropdown by returning to the combobox and re-entering the list of options. Submit at the end to create your job alert.

Not You?

We have emailed you a code to verify your identity. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email in your inbox.

Thank you for your interest in applying to the University of North Dakota

Categories: Hybrid, Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

Department: CEM Research Institute

Other UND Career Openings

There are currently no jobs matching this criteria

Apply Now

Not You?

We have emailed you a code to verify your identity. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email in your inbox.

Thank you

Additional Information

Find out why Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Need help?

Please email the Human Resources Department at UND.humanresources@UND.edu or contact us by phone at 701-777-4226. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation to participate in any portion of the University's employment process, including completion of the online application process, please contact our office in advance of your participation or visit. 

Veteran’s Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or a copy of NGB 22 from National Guard or Reserve (with a unit located in ND) or certification from the applicant's unit command that the individual is expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the uniformed services under other than dishonorable conditions not later than one hundred twenty days after the date of the submission of the certification. If claiming disabled veteran status, proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and a current letter of disability dated within the past year.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three or more finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO Statement

The University of North Dakota is an equal opportunity employer (veteran/disability). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.