The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (cee.usc.edu) in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering (viterbischool.usc.edu) invites applications and nominations for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position at any rank in the area of Environmental Engineering, with a focus on aquatic and environmental chemistry (cee.usc.edu/academics/environmental-engineering). This position is central to advancing the department’s strategic vision, which emphasizes sustainable infrastructure, resilient water systems, and the protection of human and ecosystem health. Applicants must hold a doctorate in environmental engineering or a related field. Candidates at the Associate or full Professor ranks should demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarship, research leadership, and professional achievement commensurate to the rank.
The department seeks candidates whose research advances fundamental and applied knowledge in water quality, treatment, and sustainability. Areas of particular interest include:
- Contaminants of emerging concern in the environment, including PFAS and microplastics in engineered systems
- Potable water reuse and related technologies for water sustainability and resilience
- Novel approaches to assess, mitigate, or eliminate environmental contaminants
- Effects of environmental contaminants on human and ecosystem health
The successful candidate will have opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary collaborations through USC’s Water Reuse and Resource Recovery (ReWater) Center and Southern California Superfund Research and Training Program for PFAS Assessment, Remediation, and Prevention (ShARP) Center.
This position is available starting August 16, 2026. To receive full consideration, candidates should apply on-line at: https://usccareers.usc.edu/search-jobs . Application materials must include: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests (2 pages), a statement of teaching interests (1 page), and contact information for five references. To receive full consideration, all materials should be received by December 5, 2025; applications received after this deadline might not be considered. All application materials will be held in the strictest confidence. For more information, applicants are welcome to contact Professor Adam Smith (smithada@usc.edu).
USC is a globally renowned private research (R1) university. Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, USC is in close proximity to leading technology firms, cutting-edge research institutions, and government agencies pioneering environmental regulations, offering a wealth of collaborative opportunities. Los Angeles is emerging as a national leader in potable water reuse, driven by ambitious plans to recycle 100% of its wastewater by 2035. Through large-scale initiatives such as the Hyperion 2035 program and partnerships with the ReWater Center at USC, the city is investing in advanced treatment technologies and research to ensure a safe, sustainable, and resilient local water supply in the face of climate change and recurring drought.
The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is the beneficiary of a $17 million pledge from Sonny Astani, the largest ever bestowed on a CEE department at that time. The Department has 30 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, including four chaired professorships, nine current or former Young Investigator and Early Career awardees, and many fellows of professional organizations. The department recently renovated the civil and environmental engineering laboratories with a multimillion-dollar investment from the USC Viterbi School, including new equipment and renovated space to support cutting-edge research.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is among the top-tier engineering schools in the world. It counts 212 full-time, tenure-track faculty members, and it is home to the Information Sciences Institute, the Institute for Creative Technologies, two previously awarded National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers, a Department of Energy EFRC (Energy Frontiers Research Center), and the Department of Homeland Security’s first University Center of Excellence, CREATE. The school is affiliated with the USC Stevens Center for Innovation. Research expenditures typically exceed $189 million annually.
The annual base salary (9-month) range for the following faculty ranks in this posting is:
- Assistant Professor: $114,000 - $135,000
- Associate Professor: $135,000 - 162,000
- Professor: $173,000 - $236,000
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is committed to enabling the success of dual-career families and fostering a family-friendly environment. USC is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100 or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
