Earth Sciences Professors
Overview
Earth Sciences Professors teach college students about our planet's atmosphere, oceans, geology, and space through engaging lectures and hands-on lab work. They create course materials, grade assignments, conduct cutting-edge research using satellite data and computer models, and help students plan their academic careers. These professors often collaborate with scientists worldwide, publish research findings, and may teach both in-person and online classes. A doctoral degree in earth sciences or related field is typically required, along with strong communication and research skills.
Did you know?
Positions require extensive education (PhD plus postdoctoral experience) and face intense competition, with many qualified candidates competing for limited tenure-track openings at American universities.
At a Glance
$95,256.43 Avg/yr
Median Wage
Stable
Growth
Mathematics
Top Skill
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- Purchase and maintain equipment to support research projects.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Answer questions from the public and media.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Review papers or serve on editorial boards for scientific journals, and review grant proposals for federal agencies.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Career Considerations
Highly Competitive Academic Market
Positions require extensive education (PhD plus postdoctoral experience) and face intense competition, with many qualified candidates competing for limited tenure-track openings at American universities.
Research Funding Requirements
Success depends heavily on securing competitive federal grants from agencies like NSF, NASA, and NOAA to support research programs and graduate students.
Tenure-Track Pressure
The American academic system's publish-or-perish culture requires consistent research output and publication within 6-7 years to achieve job security through tenure.