Job Description

Job Description

The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) seeks a renowned individual for a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level to lead our Economic Geology program and become the new Director of the Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology. We are looking for individuals with field and lab experience, including research studies related to the genesis, transport, and distribution of metals in the crust, the formation of precious, base, and/or critical mineral and metal deposits, fluid-rock interaction and the circulation of fluids, magmatic and hydrothermal processes, and/or exploration methods. Research must integrate one or more of the following disciplines: economic geology, structural geology, igneous petrology, and geochemistry.

Responsibilities for this position include:

Managing the industry-funded Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology (CREG)

Conducting research on mineral deposits, with emphasis on the western U.S. and Nevada’s significant mineral resources

Educating and mentoring graduate students and teaching courses in Economic Geology

Serving as a spokesperson for the Economic Geology program at NBMG–UNR, including communicating effectively with the public and community leaders about Nevada’s geology and mineral resources

Working independently and collaboratively with NBMG faculty and staff, other geoscience units at UNR and regionally, as well as industry and government partners to develop funded projects and conduct research

Contributing to the development of datasets and reports on Nevada’s mineral resources

Participating in public outreach and providing service to the University and broader community

This is a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level, with a 9-month academic-year base salary that is competitive with peer research institutions. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the availability of the selected candidate.

Required Qualifications

Interested applicants must have a Doctorate in Geology or a related Geoscience field and a demonstrated record of research on topics associated with mineral deposits as indicated by peer-reviewed publications and/or industry-related reports.

Excellent communication skills, as demonstrated in written application materials; public service; potential for, or established record of publications; and ability to attract funding are essential.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with:

Academic or industry experience in analyzing mineral deposits, especially research that integrates both: quantitative analytical methods and field-based approaches

Clearly defined and achievable plans for funded research on Nevada-focused topics in economic geology, as outlined in the letter of interest.

Additional preferred areas of expertise include:

Precious metals

Critical minerals

Base metals

Magmatic/hydrothermal processes

Geochemistry