Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy, and Climate Director

Vanderbilt University seeks a Director for the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy, and Climate (VSEC) in Nashville, TN. The role involves leading research, education, and global engagement initiatives with a focus on sustainability and climate. Candidates should have a strong background in interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The position includes a competitive salary and benefits. Applications are due by August 15, 2024, with a potential start date of January 1, 2025.
About the position

Vanderbilt University is seeking an exceptional scholar to take on the role of Director for the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy, and Climate (VSEC). This position is part of a significant initiative, Discovery Vanderbilt, which has allocated a $10-million initial investment to enhance the engagement and impact of scholarly work across various disciplines within the university. The Director will be appointed as a full professor and is expected to have a proven track record in leading interdisciplinary research and educational initiatives. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership in VSEC's research, education, global engagement, and entrepreneurship efforts, fostering collaboration across diverse fields, and establishing a nationally and internationally recognized center supported by external funding. The primary mission of VSEC is to deliver innovative concepts and cutting-edge research aimed at achieving a sustainable, resilient, and adaptive planet. The center focuses on four key areas: Resource Sustainability, Energy Integration, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Systems Risk, Reliability, and Resilience. These areas leverage Vanderbilt's strengths in engineering, science, community engagement, public policy, and law. A unique aspect of VSEC is its commitment to creating partnerships among engineers, natural scientists, social scientists, and faculty from professional schools, promoting a holistic, community-driven approach to research in sustainability, energy, and climate. The Director is expected to maintain a robust research and education program while adopting Vanderbilt's philosophy of “radical collaboration.” The ideal candidate will be dedicated to the university's mission of advancing humanity through innovative ideas and diligent service. Applications for this position should include a cover letter, a complete curriculum vitae, statements of research, teaching, and leadership, and contact information for at least three references. The review of applications will begin immediately, with full consideration given to those submitted by August 15, 2024, and the anticipated start date as early as January 1, 2025.

Responsibilities
• Provide leadership for VSEC's research, education, global engagement, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
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• Foster a collaborative environment across diverse disciplines.
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• Establish a nationally and internationally recognized Center supported with extramural funds.
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• Maintain a robust research and education program as a faculty member.
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• Adopt Vanderbilt's 'radical collaboration' philosophy.

Requirements
• Significant and demonstrated leadership experience in interdisciplinary research and education.
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• Track record of building and leading interdisciplinary research groups.
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• Commitment to Vanderbilt University's mission and values.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in community engagement and public policy related to sustainability and climate.
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• Ability to create partnerships among diverse academic disciplines.

Benefits
• Competitive salary and benefits package (specifics TBD).