Assistant Professor in Planetary Sciences

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Planetary Sciences. We encourage candidates from all fields of planetary science and exploration to apply. The appointment will begin on July 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate must be engaged in a strong research program with the potential to influence the field, demonstrate the intention to obtain external funding, and demonstrate potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and advising in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences. Candidates must have received a PhD by the time of appointment. 

To apply, go to https://apply.interfolio.com/173797 and submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, three reference letters, and statements describing how you would contribute to the research and teaching missions of our diverse and inclusive university community.  

Review of applications will begin on October 20, 2025. To receive full consideration applicants should submit all materials by that date. For further information contact the search committee chair, Chris Huber (christian_huber@brown.edu). 

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Undergraduate Research Assistant: Cobb Lab (REQ204710) 

The Cobb Lab is seeking a motivated undergraduate student to join our laboratory as a research assistant.  The selected candidate will focus on understanding the impacts of climate extremes on freshwater resources and vector-borne disease outbreak in Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati. This project investigates how El Niño and La Niña influence rainfall patterns, the island’s groundwater and associated well infrastructure, and how these factors combine to drive disease prevalence. The role will involve the curation and analysis of climate data (rainfall, ocean temperature indices), freshwater resources on the island, and data on community vector-borne and water-borne illness. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to long-term water resource management planning and climate adaptation efforts in a low-lying Pacific island nation. The student researcher will meet with Dr. Cobb weekly to advance the project, and will participate in weekly meetings of the Cobb Lab.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Perform literature reviews on topics related to water resources infrastructure, policy, and management practices in low-lying Pacific islands, including climate adaptation efforts. 

2. Analyze island-specific and regional rainfall data, ocean salinity data, water resource data, and public health records from Kiribas government agencies.

3. Interface with a wide variety of stakeholders including US-based and Kiribas-based governmental officials in securing access to necessary data and in developing an analysis plan and project outcomes that aid on-the-ground climate adaptation efforts.

4. Prepare data visualizations, reports, and presentations to communicate findings to a wide variety of academic and non-academic stakeholders.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 10

Apply on Workday (REQ204710)

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.