Assistant Professor of Teaching in Sustainability & Education
Content + Source + Freshness • 14 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
High value due to competitive salary range, significance of the role within a unique graduate program, and opportunities for research and impact.
- Competitive salary range: $77,700 - $82,460
- Unique role in groundbreaking sustainability education program
- Opportunity to influence education for environmental change
Pros
- Engagement in a pioneering program with a focus on sustainability
- Competitive salary range $77,700 - $82,460
- Opportunity to influence future educators and sustainability efforts
Cons
- Requires significant academic qualifications and research experience
- Potentially demanding workload with a mix of teaching and research
- Non-tenure track position may limit long-term security
Who it's for
Early to Mid-level • Mixed (in-person and remote)
Good fit
- Researchers and educators in sustainability
- Professionals with experience in higher education
- Individuals passionate about environmental issues
Not recommended for
- Candidates lacking a doctorate in relevant fields
- Individuals not interested in teaching or research
- Those seeking traditional tenure-track positions
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
Posting Summary:
The newly established Master of Arts in Sustainability & Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Teaching position, beginning September 2026. This is a non-tenure track, nine-month, renewable appointment.
We are seeking a scholar whose research and teaching addresses the intersection of environmental sustainability and education (broadly defined) and whose expertise will contribute to both the intellectual vitality and strategic direction of the Sustainability & Education Program.
About the Sustainability & Education Program:
The M.A. in Sustainability & Education is the first Ivy League graduate program of its kind, preparing educators, policy professionals, and organizational leaders to advance ecological integrity, social justice, and economic vitality through transformative education. Designed to meet the needs of working professionals and aspiring change-makers, the program equips students to develop and implement educational responses to urgent environmental and equity challenges across diverse settings: K–12 schools, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and community-based organizations.
The program structure includes:
- Summer 1: In-person immersive session at Teachers College (New York)
- Fall and Spring: Remote coursework and guided independent study
- Summer 2: Final in-person intensive session at Teachers College (New York)
Each phase is supported by preparatory work, reflective integration, and mentorship.
Application Instructions:
- A cover letter detailing your research, teaching, and service interests
- Curriculum vitae
- Two scholarly writing samples (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, or conference papers)
- Names of three professional references (full letters will be requested for shortlisted candidates).
Any questions can be directed to Associate Professor Oren Pizmony-Levy, Search Committee Chair at op2183@tc.columbia.edu .
As the nation’s first and largest graduate school of education, Teachers College remains committed to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges through a unique blend of disciplinary rigor and cross-sector collaboration. With more than 100 graduate programs spanning education, health, psychology, and leadership, our faculty and students investigate and apply solutions to critical issues—from education equity and mental health to organizational change and public policy.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate in education and/or a related social science discipline (especially, political science, sociology, anthropology)
- 2-3 years of experience with teaching in higher education
- Demonstrated engagement with international frameworks and discourses in education and sustainability
- Demonstrated strength in innovative research methods relevant to sustainability and education, including community-based research, design-based research, mixed methods, critical policy analysis, and social network analysis
- Ability to teach core courses in environmental sustainability education (e.g., Climate Change, Society, and Education), as well as courses related to professional development and practice in the areas of sustainability and education broadly defined (e.g., Professional Seminar, Strategic Planning, Project Management)
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in sustainability education, environmental education, education policy, environmental studies, or another closely related field.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student populations, integrating inclusive practices into teaching and mentorship.
Salary Range:
$77,700 - $82,460
Work Modality:
Faculty
Equal Employment Opportunity
Teachers College is committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and to providing equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.
If you would like to discuss any disability-related accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a similar law, related to applying for employment at Teachers College, Columbia University, please email the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities: oasid@tc.columbia.edu
