Assistant Professor, Sustainability

About the role

The Sustainability Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) invites applications for a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Sustainability.

The successful applicant will demonstrate the potential to become a leading expert in sustainability research that is distinct from but complementary to research by our current core faculty.

We particularly seek candidates whose research is collaborative and applies systems approaches (including but not limited to applied data science, industrial ecology, multi-criteria decision analysis, techno-economic analysis, and quantitative behavioral analysis) to addressing sustainability challenges in areas such as circular economy, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable materials management, food systems/organic waste, energy systems, and transportation systems.

The faculty member will build an externally funded research program to support multiple Ph.D. students and conduct research that is responsive to societal needs and that leads to peer-reviewed, scholarly publications as well as the communication or translation of research outcomes to realize broader impacts.

The faculty member will teach two graduate-level courses each year to support the MS and PhD programs. and M.S. students.

The faculty member will contribute to university service by participating on a limited number of department and institute committees and to professional service by engaging with external community groups and/or scholarly organizations.

We seek an individual who has the ability and interest in contributing to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. Select to view links to RIT's core values, honor code, and commitment to community statement.

The faculty appointment and listed salary are for a 9-month academic year appointment (salary paid out over 12 months), with the opportunity to augment academic year salary in the summer through external research grants.

The Department

The successful applicant will join the Sustainability Department, which offers M.S. in Sustainable Systems and Ph.D. in Sustainability degrees.The department recognizes and is committed to the value of a diverse graduate student community, with strong recruitment and enrollment of female and underrepresented students.

Sustainability faculty typically support research groups of about 4-6 Ph.D. students, 1-2 M.S. students (thesis track), and sometimes a postdoctoral scholar. Faculty also provide academic advising to 2-3 M.S. students on the capstone track. Sustainability faculty collaborate with researchers across RIT and with organizations locally, nationally, and internationally to create solutions to complex sustainability challenges.

The department is housed in the LEED platinum-certified Sustainability Hall, a $38 million, 84,000 ft2 facility dedicated to the GIS academic mission. The building serves as a center for sustainability research, technology transfer, education and outreach, and provides a state-of-the-art showcase for green construction and design.

The University and Rochester Community

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds.

Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Beyond our main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT has international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo.

And with more than 19,000 students and more than 125,000 graduates from all 50 states and over 100 nations, RIT is driving progress in industries and communities around the world.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Assistant Professor Rank

• Ph.D. by August 2027.
• A strong collaborative scholarly research agenda that will apply a systems approach to sustainability and lead to peer-reviewed scholarly publications and broader societal impacts.
• Potential to secure external funding resources to support multiple PhD students.
• Potential to advise graduate students and excel at graduate-level teaching in GIS core and elective courses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the college's continuing commitment to cultural diversity, pluralism, and individual differences.
• Potential to develop a research trajectory that will complement but not significantly overlap the research of current GIS faculty.
• Potential to build collaborations within RIT and/or with external manufacturing firms, government agencies, national labs, and/or domestic or international research universities.

Please submit the following materials

• Cover letter addressing listed qualifications;
• Curriculum vita;
• Research statement focusing on future plans for research, external funding, publication, and translation of research for broader impacts;
• Teaching statement that presents future plans and qualifications for teaching specific GIS core and elective courses of interest;
• Names and contact information of three references the committee can contact.

Additional information

Please send any questions to the search committee chair, Dr. Callie Babbitt at or to the Department Head Dr. Amit Batabyal at

The review of applications will begin January 18, 2027 and continue until acceptable candidates have been identified.

How to Apply

Apply online at RIT Careers; go to Job Category, and select Faculty (Regular) to view current openings. Please submit your application and upload the following attachments:

• Curriculum vita;
• Faculty Tenure, Rank, Discipline
• JC_1418 - Assistant Professor, Sustainability
• Work Location
• On Campus
• Compensation $86,000-$96,000
• Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information. This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, Research Statement, Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• Anticipated Start Date
• August 15, 2027
• Additional Details

Pay and benefits

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources.