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 professor position (rank open) to contribute to research and teaching in sustainable systems.  This focus includes approaches that address both the production and consumption activities associated with water, mobility, shelter, energy, and other basic needs.  We seek a candidate who can develop and lead expanded research initiatives focused on application areas such as sustainable water resource systems, sustainable energy, sustainable mobility/alternative vehicle technology, green buildings and/or the interactions among these systems.  Ideal candidates will possess integrating analytical capabilities that can bridge across technology, policy, and/or design with sustainability.  Examples of relevant applied research expertise include water resource management and policy, energy systems analysis, sustainable technology assessment, dynamic systems modeling, risk analysis, valuation of ecosystem services, life cycle modeling, resource economics and complex systems modeling.  Ability to teach inter-disciplinary courses that include students from SNRE and other programs such as engineering, business and policy is expected.

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 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 specializations in sustainable energy, sustainable water systems, and sustainable design and manufacturing. 

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 the School.

Teaching:  Two courses plus a graduate seminar in courses relevant to the Sustainable Systems field of study and related dual masters' degree programs with the College of Engineering (MS NRE/MSE) and the Ross School of Business (MS NRE/MBA).  The Sustainable Systems Field of Study at SNRE emphasizes the concepts, methods and tools for analyzing the sustainability of systems for meeting human needs and the mechanisms for their transformation through design, technology, and enterprise.  While teaching responsibilities are primarily at the Masters 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 University and relevant professions.  The selected candidate is expected to play an active role in the Center for Sustainable Systems; and for associate/full professor appointments this would include administrative responsibilities.  Service also includes development of cooperative ties with appropriate University-wide programs, such as the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise.

Qualifications

Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. in engineering, environmental science, economics, management, public policy, or related interdisciplinary fields including industrial ecology or systems analysis.  A record of independent peer-reviewed scholarship is important; teaching experience is preferred.  Evidence of prior interdisciplinary research focused on sustainable systems 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, Sustainable Systems Search Committee, School of Natural Resources and Environment University of Michigan, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1041 or via email to SusSysFacultySearch@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 Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute: 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.