Assistant/Associate Professor of Energy Policy

Department of Social Sciences

Michigan Technological University

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Technological University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Energy Policy position. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: We seek a colleague whose research interests center on US energy policy to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of social scientists.  Specific areas of expertise should include one or more of the following: policy analysis; policy evaluation; climate change policy; or international energy policy. Applicants shall demonstrate how their research and teaching interests articulate with and strengthen our graduate program (MS and PhD) in Environmental and Energy Policy.

The candidate must have: a Ph.D. in a relevant social science field at the time of appointment; the ability to teach a graduate/undergraduate class surveying United States energy policies; and a strong research record, including high potential for securing external funding.  Preferred qualifications include: experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses; successful development of competitive externally funded grants; and experience or background in working in interdisciplinary scientific research teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  1) Develop a strong research program at Michigan Tech that includes external funding; 2) supervise and foster graduate student development; 3) collaborate with Michigan Tech’s social, natural, and engineering scientists conducting cutting edge environmental sustainability research; 4) teach two courses each in fall and spring semesters, including energy policy, environmental policy, and one general education undergraduate social science class; 5) participate in university and department committees as well as external professional service.

DEPARTMENT AND UNIVERSITY: The Department of Social Sciences is comprised of faculty with diverse social science disciplinary backgrounds, including a large group of environmental social scientists. It offers undergraduate degree programs in anthropology, history, and social science and M.S. and Ph.D. programs in in Environmental and Energy Policy and Industrial Heritage and Archaeology.

Established in 1885, Michigan Tech is a research university, enrolls 7200 students, and is a leader in science and engineering education. Faculty members engage in extensive interdisciplinary, international environmental sustainability research. The university has a number of key centers and institutes through which Social Sciences faculty members collaborate with faculty from across campus, including: Sustainable Futures Institute; Great Lakes Research Center; Center for Water and Society; and Ecosystem Science Center. Michigan Tech also hosts the largest Peace Corps Master’s International Program (combining Peace Corps service abroad with an MS degree) in the country.

COMMUNITY: Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, MI in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  Houghton was rated as the “15^th Greatest Place to Live in America” by Outside Magazine in 2014. Situated on the hills bordering the beautiful Portage Waterway and only minutes from several Lake Superior beaches, the area offers a bounty of cultural and recreational opportunities. It is a major summer travel destination, one of the Top 10 outdoor adventure spots in the country for mountain biking, and is well known for its Olympic-caliber cross country ski trails, Lake Superior shoreline, and numerous inland lakes and rivers.

The historic downtown waterfront provides unique shopping, dining, and cultural opportunities in addition to serving as the mainland headquarters for Isle Royale National Park. Local schools are known for their high quality and commitment to being one of the top five districts for student performance in the state of Michigan. The cost of living is low and United Airlines flies directly from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to Hancock Airport ten minutes from campus.  This environment, combined with a competitive compensation package, results in an excellent quality of life.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applicants will apply on line at here. Upload a cover letter, curriculum vita, a brief statement of research interests and experience in securing research support, a brief statement of teaching philosophy, and one or more published or under review publications.  Applicants will be asked for the contact information for three reference providers.  Questions can be addressed to Search Committee Chair Kathy Halvorsen at kehalvor@mtu.edu.

Review of applications will begin November 1^st, 2015 and will continue until an appropriate candidate is chosen.

Michigan Tech acknowledges the importance of supporting dual career partners in attracting and retaining a quality workforce. See the university’s Dual Career Program’s website for additional information.

Michigan Tech is an ADVANCE institution, one of a limited number of universities in receipt of NSF funds in support of our commitment to increase diversity and the participation and advancement of women in STEM.  Michigan Tech is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disability. Applications from women and minorities are highly encouraged by both the department and the institution.