Assistant/Associate Research Professor - Penn State Climate Consortium

Penn State University is seeking an Assistant/Associate Research Professor for the Climate Consortium to engage communities in climate solutions. The role involves fostering partnerships, managing research teams, and developing proposals. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and experience in relevant fields such as Community Development or Environmental Science. This full-time, non-tenure position is initially funded for one year with potential renewal and requires a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Job Number: REQ_0000062512

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Penn State Climate Consortium at Penn State University, located in University Park, PA, invites applications for a non-tenure line faculty position in the field of community engagement for climate solutions to be filled at the rank of Assistant or Associate Research Professor.

The successful candidate will join transdisciplinary research teams from Penn State working on evidence-based climate solutions in partnership with communities and other key actors. Specifically, we seek an innovative and creative colleague who will support Penn State's Climate Consortium by fostering relationships among Penn State researchers, faculty, staff, students, communities and partners in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and globally, help teams identify climate-related research priorities and areas of innovation through participatory practices, and develop externally funded research.

Specific responsibilities may include partnership development with non-academic communities, industry partners, or other groups, management and support of community-engaged research teams, proposal development and research dissemination, and design and delivery of evidence-based training programs.

This is a limited-term position funded for one year, with excellent possibility of renewal.

Education and Experience: Evidence of completion of a Ph.D. in a relevant field by date of hire is required and demonstrated experience working with partner organizations. Example specializations include, but are not limited to Community Development, Program Evaluation, Sociology, Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, and Public Policy, or related fields. Preferred skills may include experience in creating and building community partnerships, program management, transdisciplinary research, communication, and team facilitation.

Application: To be considered for this position, applicants should upload a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF file. The cover letter should explain the applicant's interest in the position, highlight relevant qualifications and experience, and include links to examples of relevant prior work.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion and belonging that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives and leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity. We value inclusion and belonging as core strengths and essential elements of our public service mission. Applicants should provide evidence, either woven through their application materials or as a separate diversity statement, of a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, and belonging in their department/workplace.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. The initial appointment will be for 24 months (two years). Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Erica Smithwick, smithwick@psu.edu.

University Park, PA