Assistant/Associate Professor in Social Science & Sustainability

MANRRS; Blacksburg (VA); Presencial; USD 85 000 - 125 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Virginia Tech invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor in Social Science & Sustainability. We seek a collaborative social scientist focusing on human dimensions of sustainability, including natural resource management, environmental conservation, and governance.

The candidate will develop an externally funded research program and teach undergrad and grad courses such as Leadership for Global Sustainability. PhD in a relevant social science field is required by appointment.

Qualificações

• PhD by appointment date in a social science field relevant to sustainability.
• Demonstrated potential for teaching or designing courses related to environmental sustainability at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated potential for or success in securing external funding to support research.
• A record of high-quality research and publication in relevant fields.
• Methodological expertise across quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, computational, spatial, or other rigorous social science approaches.

Responsabilidades

• Research (50%): Develop and maintain a robust, externally funded research program focused on the human dimensions of sustainability.
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration across campus and with external stakeholders such as natural resource agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Advise and mentor graduate students.
• Teaching (50%): Teach 2–3 courses per academic year relevant to Environmental Conservation & Society, including FREC 2554 Leadership for Global Sustainability.
• Contribute to curriculum development and departmental service.

Formação académica

PhD in social science related to sustainability

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Assistant/Associate Professor in Social Science & Sustainability

Posted on September 29, 2026

Position Overview

We seek a collaborative and innovative social scientist whose work addresses the human dimensions of sustainability with an emphasis on natural resource management, environmental conservation, and/or environmental governance. The specific topic of sustainability research is open, and we welcome diverse candidates whose substantive and methodological expertise complements and strengthens our program. This position will contribute to our department’s ongoing efforts to integrate rigorous social science into our interdisciplinary curriculum and research portfolio. The successful candidate must develop a productive externally funded research program and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as leadership for sustainability and other topics aligned with their expertise. Individuals must have a PhD in a social science field relevant to sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Research (50%): Develop and maintain a robust, externally funded research program focused on the human dimensions of sustainability.
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration across campus and with external stakeholders, such as natural resource agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Advise and mentor graduate students.
• Teaching (50%): Teach 2–3 courses per academic year relevant to the Environmental Conservation & Society major, with a specific expectation to teach “FREC 2554 Leadership for Global Sustainability”.
• Contribute to curriculum development and departmental service.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications: PhD by appointment date in a social science field relevant to sustainability, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated commitment to or excellence in teaching or designing courses related to environmental sustainability at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated potential for or success in securing external funding to support research.
• A record of high-quality research and publication in relevant fields.
• Methodological expertise that complements existing departmental strengths and enhances opportunities for interdisciplinary research and external funding. Relevant expertise may include quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, computational, spatial, participatory, or other rigorous social science approaches.
• Ability to work across disciplinary and methodological boundaries.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Preferred Level of Education

PhD

Compensation/Salary

$85k - $95k (Asst. Prof. rank), or $115k - $125k (Assoc. Prof. rank)

Application deadline: October 15, 2026

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.