Assistant Professor - Landscape-based Approaches to Climate Resilience

Cohort Hire: Creating a Climate-Resilient Future

Focus: Landscape-based Approaches to Climate Resilience

Department of Landscape Architecture, Cornell University

Location: Ithaca, NY. The academic home for this position is the Department of Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.

The Department of Landscape Architecture is seeking a highly collaborative Assistant Professor to broaden and deepen our understanding of landscape-based approaches to climate resilience. Our new colleague will join a cross-college Cohort Faculty Hire in Creating a Climate-Resilient Future.

The College of Agriculture and Life Science’s (CALS) Roadmap to 2050 is centering environmental justice to achieve climate and sustainability goals via a cohort of hires within our Transdisciplinary Moonshots – opportunities for the College to collaborate on future-focused, cross-disciplinary scientific breakthroughs and to align research, education, and extension programs for greater impact and stronger connectivity. The Moonshot areas build upon core strengths in CALS, spanning the agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences, with the goal of recruiting 27 faculty into the College over the next three years.

This hiring cohort will advance the CALS Transdisciplinary Moonshots in Creating a Climate Resilient Future. Research in the cohort will unite existing transdisciplinary strengths at Cornell with critical new competencies to help navigate transitions to climate-resilient futures in three interdependent domains: renewable energy, sustainable cities, and agri-food systems. In addition to this advertised hire, the cohort includes recent or concurrent hires as a geo-spatial analyst, an environmental engineer, a socioecologist, and a risk communication scholar within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

We are seeking applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track position in Landscape-based Approaches to Climate Resilience at the assistant professor level. We seek a colleague whose research investigates the efficacy of ecologically based design strategies and technologies, and nature-based solutions to propose new ways for bringing their biophysical and sociocultural benefits to cities and landscapes. The successful candidate will have expertise in and instruct courses related to any of the following areas: the design of urban environments for benefits such as climate adaptation, soil remediation, carbon sequestration, shoreline stabilization, heat island mitigation, urban agricultural optimization, health and psychological benefits, and/or the social or cultural implications of resilience. Research could involve design of new strategies and technologies in the built environment and natural systems, the complexities of ownership both public and private, questions of spatial and climate justice and/or the potential to incentivize and catalyze their adoption within communities. The candidate has the potential to contribute to and advance the campus as a 'living laboratory' for piloting cutting-edge landscape interventions that contribute to environmental and cultural sustainability. In keeping with expected responsibility distributions in Landscape Architecture, this new hire would have a 70% teaching/30% research effort split and would contribute to existing courses and design studios as well as new coursework related to their expertise.

Outstanding research scholarship is expected, as is excellence in and commitment to teaching, translation of knowledge, and advising and inclusive mentoring of students. We seek colleagues with a record demonstrating success and promise across all these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a vibrant culture of inclusive excellence at Cornell. As such, candidates are expected to engage in service and leadership activities within their department, the college and university, and relevant professional societies. We welcome candidates who understand the barriers facing women and other marginalized identities who are underrepresented in the classroom and in higher education careers, and who have experience in equity and inclusion with respect to teaching, mentoring, research, outreach, life experiences, or service towards building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment.

Responsibilities: This position has an effort split of 70% teaching and 30% research.

Qualifications: A Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture is required. An MLA and/or Ph.D. in a similar field would be considered. Interdisciplinary experience in practice or research, and/or design studio teaching experience is preferred.

Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 1, 2025, or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position, 2) a Curriculum Vitae, 3) a 1-page research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals, 4) a 1-page teaching statement outlining experience, interests, and goals, 5) a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service. mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study” 6) a portfolio showcasing research, teaching, and practice, (7) names and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted online to: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29185 Applications received by January 15, 2025 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Search chair: Professor Jamie Vanucchi

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY 14850

Email: jlv29@cornell.edu

CALS hiring range for this position is:

Assistant Professor: $90,000 - $130,000

Cornell University offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Support for start-up costs will be available. Salary is commensurate with experience.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.