Posting DetailsPosition Details
Title Open Rank, Tenured/Tenure-track Faculty Position in Environmental Fate and Effects of Microplastics
Appointment Status Tenure Track
Department IU Bloomington Vice Provost For Faculty Affairs
Location Bloomington
Position Summary The O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track faculty position in environmental science focused on the
biological, physiological, and ecological processes governing the fate, transformation, transport, and effects of microplastics in the environment.
As a part of the
Faculty 100 strategic hiring initiative, IUB seeks a scholar whose research connects processes across earth systems and biological scales-from microbial communities and organisms to terrestrial and aquatic food webs and ecosystems. Research areas may include
microbial colonization, biotransformation, and biodegradation of microplastics; biologically mediated transport and accumulation in organisms and food webs; microplastic-facilitated transport of pathogens or other biological agents; food-web transfer; and organismal, community, food web, or ecosystem-level consequences. We particularly welcome research that uses microplastics to address broader fundamental questions in environmental microbiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, contaminant fate, or environmental health. The candidate will complement O'Neill's strengths in environmental chemistry, toxicology, risk assessment, ecology, and sustainability science while creating new opportunities for collaboration across Indiana University.
Qualifications: Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates should demonstrate a record of publications and professional achievements commensurate with appointment at the assistant professor rank; postdoctoral experience is preferred.
We anticipate hiring at the assistant professor rank but will also consider exceptional candidates at senior ranks. The successful applicant should conduct lab and/or field research that integrates across scales to understand how biological interactions and processes influence microplastic persistence, movement, and ecological consequences for organism well-being.
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will establish and maintain a rigorous, externally funded research program with national and international recognition; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor students; contribute service to the O'Neill School and Indiana University. Institutional support will provide adequate startup funding and space to establish a successful research program.
We strongly encourage applicants whose work demonstrates interest in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration. All O'Neill faculty members are expected to engage with our diverse community of students and colleagues. We are especially interested in candidates with a record of effective teaching and mentoring of students from varied backgrounds.
Application procedure: To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by December 14, 2026. However, the search will continue until the position is filled. Please submit the following materials via the online system:
- cover letter
- curriculum vitae
- statement on research and teaching
- copies of up to three publications
- names of three references who could provide letters of recommendation upon request.
Applications should be submitted via:
https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34712For more information, please contact the search committee chair Marta Venier (
mvenier@iu.edu) or F100 search coordinator, Cindy Broderick (
faculty1@iu.edu).
Preferred start date is August 1, 2027 or January 1, 2028.
Basic Qualifications Qualifications: Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates should demonstrate a record of publications and professional achievements commensurate with appointment at the assistant professor rank; postdoctoral experience is preferred.
We anticipate hiring at the assistant professor rank but will also consider exceptional candidates at senior ranks. The successful applicant should conduct lab and/or field research that integrates across scales to understand how biological interactions and processes influence microplastic persistence, movement, and ecological consequences for organism well-being.
Department Contact for Questions For more information, please contact the search committee chair Marta Venier (
mvenier@iu.edu) or F100 search coordinator, Cindy Broderick (
faculty1@iu.edu).
Additional QualificationsSalary and Rank Commensurate with experience
Special InstructionsFor Best Consideration Date 12/14/2026
Expected Start Date 08/01/2027
Posting Number IU-101773-2026
