Assistant Professor of Anthropology in Climate Change and Health

The Department of Anthropology (https://anth.la.psu.edu/) and the Social Science Research Institute (https://ssri.psu.edu/) at The Pennsylvania State University at University Park, PA, USA, invites applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor position starting Fall 2024.

We seek innovative social science researchers whose work engages themes of social disparities, climate change, and health, broadly construed. Candidates working on topics such as (but not limited to) the impacts of climate change (and related environmental changes) on health in diverse communities, variation in the ways that climate change impacts health or health determinants across different regions or groups, studies of how social inequality contributes to health disparities and uneven exposure to climate change, or population-based studies of how social factors and climate factors jointly influence health are encouraged to apply. Among other relevant populations, research could focus on work with nationally- representative samples or with underrepresented groups, indigenous communities, or small-scale populations in the U.S. or globally.

Duties will involve a combination of teaching, research, and service. The Department of Anthropology anticipates the Assistant Professor, through their research, teaching, and service in this role, to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community at Penn State.

The Assistant Professor’s work at Penn State will be expected to contribute toward collaborative scholarship within the department and across the university on initiatives focused on inequality, sustainability, human-environmental systems, and/or human health.

This position will be co-funded by Penn State’s SSRI (https://ssri.psu.edu/), whose mission is to foster research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national, and international levels. SSRI supports interdisciplinary research by bringing together researchers across the university around emerging areas, and by providing consultation, seed grants and faculty fellowships, and core resources tailored to the needs of social and behavioral scientists. Researchers with excellent interdisciplinary orientations are particularly desired.

Successful candidates must demonstrate the potential for effective teaching at university levels, an ability to obtain external funding, an outstanding record of academic outputs, and an innovative and integrative research program. Candidates who are committed to community engagement, science communication, outreach, and/or diversity in teaching and research are strongly encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in Anthropology or a related field must be completed by the time of appointment.

In addition, successful candidates must either have demonstrated a commitment to building an inclusive, equitable, and diverse campus community, or describe one or more ways they would envision doing so, given the opportunity.

Applicants must apply through Penn State’s Job Posting Board and should include: 1) a cover letter; 2) a curriculum vitae detailing the candidate’s educational background, employment history, publications, and grants; 3) a statement summarizing the candidate’s research and teaching experience and interests, and 4) the names, addresses, and emails of three references.

In their cover letter, candidates must address how their research contributes to both the Department of Anthropology (https://anth.la.psu.edu/) and the Social Science Research Institute (https://ssri.psu.edu/).

System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to 75% tuition discounts (including for a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 26) and paid holidays. Please visit https://hr.psu.edu/benefits for more detailed information.

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Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran.