The University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) is seeking a candidate to fill a full time, nine-month, tenure track assistant professor position to contribute to research and teaching on energy sustainability.  The current energy system faces significant challenges related to declining fossil fuels, burgeoning global demand, greenhouse gas emissions, health impacts and other growing social and economic impacts related to energy.  Expertise in energy technology assessment and systems analysis is being sought to analyze alternative energy supply based on renewable sources, energy demand from transportation and/or buildings, and the storage and carriers required to link resources with end use activities.  Ideal candidates would have integrative analytical skills in areas such as energy modeling, life cycle modeling, stochastic modeling, resource economics, optimization techniques, and dynamic systems modeling.

The School of Natural Resources and Environment is a research-oriented interdisciplinary professional school focused on the development of knowledge and new policies, designs and management strategies for the protection and stewardship of the Earth's resources.  Our common mission is to contribute new science, visionary leadership and trained professionals to help societies move in a more sustainable direction.  Set within a major research university, SNRE provides a model of interdisciplinary applied research and a focal point of research and teaching on sustainability.  The faculty of the School is diverse, with natural scientists, social scientists, engineers and designers working together in an integrative setting.  Within the School, nine fields of study provide focus at the master's degree level, including curricula in sustainable systems, environmental policy and planning, and behavior, education and communication.  Our current student body includes 250 M.S. students and 50 doctoral students.

We also participate in cross-campus collaborative opportunities that exist in alternative energy technology, economics and policy through the Center for Sustainable Systems and the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, both of which have active and growing research programs in these areas.  Opportunities also exist to play an active role in the new Engineering Sustainable Systems dual master's degree program between the College of Engineering and the School of Natural Resources and Environment, which has a specialization in sustainable energy systems.  This position is being created through the President's new Interdisciplinary Junior Faculty Initiative which created a cluster of five positions focusing on energy storage within SNRE, engineering and chemistry.  The energy storage cluster and other opportunities for collaboration across campus are being facilitated through the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute. 

Responsibilities

Research:  The successful candidate is expected to establish a strong program of scholarship that contributes to expanding knowledge in the faculty member's discipline and to the interdisciplinary problem-focused mission of both the School and the energy storage cluster.

Teaching:  Two courses plus a graduate seminar in energy related courses relevant to the Sustainable Systems field of study and related dual master's degree programs with the College of Engineering (MS NRE/MSE) and the Ross School of Business (MS NRE/MBA).  While teaching responsibilities are primarily at the master's level, undergraduate teaching is also encouraged. 

Guiding and mentoring graduate students:  The new faculty member will participate in the academic counseling of graduate students and supervise doctoral and master's students including those involved in integrative, group-based master's projects.

Service and collaboration:  The new faculty will contribute to the stewardship of SNRE, the energy storage cluster, the University and relevant professions.  This service includes development of cooperative ties with appropriate University-wide programs, such as the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and the Center for Sustainable Systems.

Qualifications

Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in engineering, environmental science, economics, or related interdisciplinary fields including industrial ecology or energy systems analysis.  A record of independent peer-reviewed scholarship is important; teaching experience is preferred.  Evidence of prior work in interdisciplinary energy and environmental fields is also preferred.

Application materials should include a letter of application, statements of research and teaching interests and experience, curriculum vitae, up to three publications or working papers, and three letters of reference.  Materials should be addressed to Greg Keoleian, Chair, Energy Sustainability Search Committee, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041 or via email to EnergyFacultySearch@umich.edu.  Review of applications will begin after October 15, 2009 and will continue until suitable candidates are found.  The position is expected to be filled by April 2010.

For further information about the School of Natural Resources and Environment, go to: www.snre.umich.edu; The President's Interdisciplinary Junior Faculty Initiative: http://www.umich.edu/pres/committees/interdisc.html; The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Laboratory: http://www.energy.umich.edu/; The Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise: http://www.erb.umich.edu/; Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute: http://www.graham.umich.edu/; The Center for Sustainable Systems: http://css.snre.umich.edu/.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer,
and individuals from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.