Assistant Professor - Outdoor Studies

Please note that this vacancy has an anticipated start date of August 2026

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor – Outdoor Studies Program
The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor in its interdisciplinary Outdoor Studies program beginning August 2026. We are looking for a scholar with a background in the humanities or social sciences who can teach both interdisciplinary academic courses and outdoor field courses as well as maintain a productive research/scholarship program.

University of Alaska Southeast – Outdoor Studies Program
The Outdoor Studies Program, housed in the humanities department of UAS, offers an interdisciplinary liberal arts approach that integrates technical courses in climbing, kayaking, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor pursuits with intellectually challenging courses in philosophy, literature, the social sciences, and other academic areas. The program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Outdoor and Adventure Studies, and a two-semester certificate in Outdoor Skills and Leadership.

The UAS Juneau campus overlooks Auke Bay on one side and Auke Lake and the Mendenhall Glacier on the other. Importantly for the Outdoor Studies Program, this beautiful location offers excellent access to salt water, fresh water, mountains, and glaciers.

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to teach both lower and upper-division interdisciplinary academic courses required in the program (examples might include, Philosophy 372: Perspectives on the Natural World, Environmental Studies 120: Cultures and Environments, or Humanities 370: Sport, Leisure, and Culture). The candidate should also have strong outdoor skills and the ability to teach outdoor courses (examples might include, Backpacking in Southeast Alaska, Backcountry Skiing, or Introduction to Sea Kayaking). The required teaching load is 9 credits per term – equivalent to 3/3. And, the candidate is expected to maintain an active research program in humanities or social sciences, with an interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary work.

The role also requires a willingness to lead or assist in expedition courses that involve international travel and time in remote environments. Experience guiding or leading groups in outdoor settings, particularly in cold mountain or coastal environments, and basic competence on skis or snowboard, will be an asset.

UAS is located in Southeast Alaska on the cultural homeland of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. The Department of Humanities openly embraces students from all backgrounds and seeks candidates who will foster a climate in which all students are welcomed and supported.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in a humanities, social science, or related field (ABD applicants may also be considered).

A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria is required.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Juneau. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure track faculty appointment complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️ For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Kevin Krein, Professor of Philosophy and Director of Outdoor Studies: kjkrein@alaska.edu. Contact UA Human Resources at (907) 450-8200 if you need assistance in completing the application or need an accommodation for the interview.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit their application online. Initial application review takes place on November 26, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

The application must include the following:

1. Cover letter

2. Academic Curriculum Vitae

3. Resume of Outdoor Experiences (include professional experience, personal trips, certifications, skills, etc.)

4. Statement of teaching philosophy

5. Statement of research experience and future plans

6. Copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts. Unofficial copies are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required from the successful candidate.

7. Three professional references.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.