Climate Informatics/AI Tenure-line Faculty Position

Penn State is seeking a tenure-line faculty member in Climate Informatics/AI for the College of Information Sciences and Technology, starting July 2025. The role involves interdisciplinary research in climate science, teaching, mentoring, and collaboration within the university and industry. Candidates should have a PhD in relevant fields and demonstrate potential for impactful research and funding. The position is based at the University Park campus in Pennsylvania.
Job Number: REQ_0000061978

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), Penn State Climate Consortium, and Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) at The Pennsylvania State University invite applications for a tenure-line faculty position in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and/or Socio-technical Systems located in State College, Pennsylvania. This position provides a unique opportunity to serve as a bridge between the College of IST and Penn State's vibrant climate research community, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and contributing to impactful research in climate science. This appointment is at the assistant or associate professor rank and begins in July of 2025 at the University Park campus with the tenure home in IST.

We are interested in candidates who bring interdisciplinary approaches to a broad set of topics in climate research, including (but not limited to): hybrid physics-based and/or data-driven machine learning approaches to climate modeling; multi-scale, multi-fidelity, and/or multi-modal climate modeling; remote sensing; AI prediction of climate risks and/or adaptation strategies; carbon footprint of AI technologies; game theoretic modeling of actors in climate change; networked systems for incentivizing climate action; behavioral interventions; climate technologies for the developing world; intersections of climate justice and informatics; connected technologies; crowdsourced funding of capital-intensive climate projects; and/or new metrics for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Emphases on other interdisciplinary climate topics not mentioned above are welcome.

The College of IST has a flourishing undergraduate program in Data Sciences, as well as doctoral and master's programs in Informatics. IST's new undergraduate program in Artificial Intelligence is currently under review. Faculty candidates will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in residential, online, and/or hybrid modes; conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research; supervise and mentor graduate students; actively pursue external funding to support research activities; engage in service activities at the college and university levels; and collaborate with faculty across the university and industry partners.

Candidates will possess a PhD in data science, artificial intelligence, a socio-technical systems area, or a related field before their appointment start date at Penn State. Applicants for the rank of Assistant Professor will demonstrate strong potential for developing an externally funded, collaborative, interdisciplinary research program, and potential to contribute to the college's teaching mission. Candidates seeking the rank of Associate Professor should have a strong record of scholarly achievement, external funding, and demonstrated success in teaching and service.

The successful candidate will assume a key role in interdisciplinary research collaborations and is co-funded through Penn State University's Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE). The successful candidate should be a collaborative leader who will promote and enhance excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary research.

IST is strongly committed to a diverse community and to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students of all races, genders, and backgrounds. The college is committed to making good faith efforts to recruit, hire, retain, and promote qualified individuals from underrepresented minority groups including women, persons of color, diverse gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Applicants will attach documentation during their application process and should include a cover letter with information about their interests and qualifications for the position. They will also include a description of their i) research accomplishments and plans, ii) approach to teaching, iii) and their commitment to inclusion and belonging. Provide the iv) applicant's curriculum vitae and v) contact information for at least three professional references. Candidates may combine their descriptions into one cover letter and combine all file(s) into one document prior to uploading, or they may upload separate files.

Inquiries about the position may be directed to facultyrecruiting@ist.psu.edu. Review of applications begins on January 6, 2025, and will continue until positions are filled.

University Park, PA