Assistant Professor, Sustainability

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 86,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Sustainability in the Sustainability Department in Rochester, NY. The successful candidate will develop a collaborative research program using systems approaches to address sustainability challenges and will teach two graduate-level courses for MS and PhD programs each year.

The appointment is a 9-month academic year with salary between $86,000 and $96,000, paid over 12 months, with potential

Qualifications

• Ph.D. by August 2027 or before
• Strong collaborative scholarly research agenda applying systems approach to sustainability
• Potential to secure external funding resources to support multiple PhD students
• Ability to advise graduate students and excel at graduate-level teaching in GIS core and elective courses
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to diversity, pluralism, and inclusion in college culture
• Ability to develop a research trajectory that complements GIS faculty research

Responsibilities

• Develop a externally funded research program that supports Ph.D. students
• Teach two graduate-level courses annually for MS and PhD programs
• Recruit, mentor, and advise Ph.D. and M.S. students
• Contribute to department and institute service and engage with external groups

Skills

Collaborative research

Systems approaches

GIS teaching

Job description

The Sustainability Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Sustainability. The successful applicant will demonstrate the potential to become a leading expert in sustainability research that is distinct from but complementary to research by our current core faculty. We particularly seek candidates whose research is collaborative and applies systems approaches (including but not limited to applied data science, industrial ecology, multi-criteria decision analysis, techno-economic analysis, and quantitative behavioral analysis) to addressing sustainability challenges in areas such as circular economy, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable materials management, food systems/organic waste, energy systems, and transportation systems. The faculty member will build an externally funded research program to support multiple Ph.D. students and conduct research that is responsive to societal needs and that leads to peer-reviewed, scholarly publications as well as the communication or translation of research outcomes to realize broader impacts. The faculty member will teach two graduate-level courses each year to support the MS and PhD programs. Course information can be found at https://www.rit.edu/study/sustainability-phd#curriculum. Teaching responsibilities also include recruiting, mentoring, and advising a group of Ph.D. and M.S. students. The faculty member will contribute to university service by participating on a limited number of department and institute committees and to professional service by engaging with external community groups and/or scholarly organizations. We seek an individual who has the ability and interest in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT’s core values, honor code, and commitment to community statement. The faculty appointment and listed salary are for a 9-month academic year appointment (salary paid out over 12 months), with the opportunity to augment academic year salary in the summer through external research grants.

THE DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant will join the Sustainability Department, which offers M.S. in Sustainable Systems and Ph.D. in Sustainability degrees. The department recognizes and is committed to the value of a diverse graduate student community, with strong recruitment and enrollment of female and underrepresented students. Sustainability faculty typically support research groups of about 4-6 Ph.D. students, 1-2 M.S. students (thesis track), and sometimes a postdoctoral scholar. Faculty also provide academic advising to 2-3 M.S. students on the capstone track. Sustainability faculty collaborate with researchers across RIT and with organizations locally, nationally, and internationally to create solutions to complex sustainability challenges. The department is housed in the LEED platinum-certified Sustainability Hall, a $38 million, 84,000 ft2 facility dedicated to the GIS academic mission. The building serves as a center for sustainability research, technology transfer, education and outreach, and provides a state-of-the-art showcase for green construction and design. Additional information can be found at https://www.rit.edu/study/sustainability-phd.

THE UNIVERSITY AND ROCHESTER COMMUNITY

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Beyond our main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT has international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. And with more than 19,000 students and more than 125,000 graduates from all 50 states and over 100 nations, RIT is driving progress in industries and communities around the world. Find out more at www.rit.edu.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Assistant Professor Rank: Ph.D. by August 2027.
• A strong collaborative scholarly research agenda that will apply a systems approach to sustainability and lead to peer-reviewed scholarly publications and broader societal impacts.
• Potential to secure external funding resources to support multiple PhD students.
• Potential to advise graduate students and excel at graduate-level teaching in GIS core and elective courses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the college’s continuing commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences.
• Potential to develop a research trajectory that will complement but not significantly overlap the research of current GIS faculty.
• Potential to build collaborations within RIT and/or with external manufacturing firms, government agencies, national labs, and/or domestic or international research universities.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Cover letter addressing listed qualifications; Curriculum vita; Research statement focusing on future plans for research, external funding, publication, and translation of research for broader impacts; Teaching statement that presents future plans and qualifications for teaching specific GIS core and elective courses of interest; Names and contact information of three references the committee can contact.

COMPENSATION & WORK LOCATION

• Work Location: On Campus.
• Compensation: $86,000-$96,000.
• Salary range listed above is in compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act.
• Salary for a 9-month academic year appointment, paid out over 12 months, with opportunity to augment in the summer through external research grants.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The review of applications will begin January 18, 2027 and continue until acceptable candidates have been identified.