Cornell University
Assistant Professor in Science, Environment, and Risk Communication
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States, 14850
Assistant Professor
The Department of Communication (COMM) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly collaborative scholar to conduct research and teach in the areas of science and/or risk communication. Our new colleague will join a Cohort Faculty Hire in Creating a Climate-Resilient Future. This hiring cohort will advance the CALS Transdisciplinary Moonshot 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. For this position, we are seeking applications for a 9-month, full-time tenure-track position at the assistant professor level for a risk communication scholar. In addition to this advertised hire, the cohort will include a geospatial analyst, an environmental engineer, a socioecologist, and a landscape architect within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A track-record of publishing outstanding peer-reviewed scholarship is expected, as is excellence in and commitment to teaching, translation of knowledge, and advising and mentoring of students. We seek a colleague with an outstanding 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. The successful applicant will conduct research and teach in the areas of risk and/or science communication. Science and risk communication are related to our environmental and health communication research areas, which are among the Department's core strengths. We welcome innovative and imaginative scholars who approach the study of risk and/or science communication from psychological, sociological, or institutional vantage points using quantitative or mixed methods. Scholars with specific expertise in analysis of public opinion related to scientific, environmental, and health issues are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants whose risk communication work also contributes to other core strengths in communication and media studies, information technology, organizations and networks, and/or social justice are similarly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will become a part of the inclusive community of scholars at Cornell. They will have the opportunity to join multiple graduate fields across the university, including the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and interdisciplinary institutes such as the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture. Position Responsibilities: This position has a balanced effort between research (50%) and teaching (50%) on a 9-month academic year basis. Research (50%): The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an internationally recognized and externally funded research program to understand risk communication and the holistic impacts of sustainable energy technologies. Teaching (50%): The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the department. Communication faculty teach two or three undergraduate and/or graduate courses per academic year (for a total of five courses across four semesters) and advise students in the department's undergraduate and Ph.D. programs. Advising postdocs is also encouraged. Department Affiliation: The successful candidate will be a tenure-line faculty member of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and will be based in the Department of Communication. A mentoring program for new faculty provides guidance and assistance. Mentoring partnerships are bidirectional, empowering the cohort and its members, and providing space for innovative collaborations to emerge from shared interests, goals, and opportunities. Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Communication or a closely aligned field completed by the date of appointment and show promise of developing a national and international reputation by doing theory-based empirical research. We seek innovative scholars of social science who will develop a research program connected to college and university priorities in addressing how people communicate, interact, learn, lead, and shape enterprises of all scales to improve the well-being of individuals, communities, and economies around the world. Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 2026 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 research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 4) a teaching statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 5) at least one (but not more than three) writing sample demonstrating scholarly impact; and 6) names and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted online to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30219. This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate to within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions. Applications received by September 15, 2025 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For questions regarding the position, please contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jonathon P. Schuldt. For administrative support regarding the application process, contact Kelli Carr.
The Department of Communication (COMM) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly collaborative scholar to conduct research and teach in the areas of science and/or risk communication. Our new colleague will join a Cohort Faculty Hire in Creating a Climate-Resilient Future. This hiring cohort will advance the CALS Transdisciplinary Moonshot 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. For this position, we are seeking applications for a 9-month, full-time tenure-track position at the assistant professor level for a risk communication scholar. In addition to this advertised hire, the cohort will include a geospatial analyst, an environmental engineer, a socioecologist, and a landscape architect within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A track-record of publishing outstanding peer-reviewed scholarship is expected, as is excellence in and commitment to teaching, translation of knowledge, and advising and mentoring of students. We seek a colleague with an outstanding 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. The successful applicant will conduct research and teach in the areas of risk and/or science communication. Science and risk communication are related to our environmental and health communication research areas, which are among the Department's core strengths. We welcome innovative and imaginative scholars who approach the study of risk and/or science communication from psychological, sociological, or institutional vantage points using quantitative or mixed methods. Scholars with specific expertise in analysis of public opinion related to scientific, environmental, and health issues are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants whose risk communication work also contributes to other core strengths in communication and media studies, information technology, organizations and networks, and/or social justice are similarly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will become a part of the inclusive community of scholars at Cornell. They will have the opportunity to join multiple graduate fields across the university, including the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, and interdisciplinary institutes such as the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture. Position Responsibilities: This position has a balanced effort between research (50%) and teaching (50%) on a 9-month academic year basis. Research (50%): The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an internationally recognized and externally funded research program to understand risk communication and the holistic impacts of sustainable energy technologies. Teaching (50%): The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the department. Communication faculty teach two or three undergraduate and/or graduate courses per academic year (for a total of five courses across four semesters) and advise students in the department's undergraduate and Ph.D. programs. Advising postdocs is also encouraged. Department Affiliation: The successful candidate will be a tenure-line faculty member of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and will be based in the Department of Communication. A mentoring program for new faculty provides guidance and assistance. Mentoring partnerships are bidirectional, empowering the cohort and its members, and providing space for innovative collaborations to emerge from shared interests, goals, and opportunities. Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Communication or a closely aligned field completed by the date of appointment and show promise of developing a national and international reputation by doing theory-based empirical research. We seek innovative scholars of social science who will develop a research program connected to college and university priorities in addressing how people communicate, interact, learn, lead, and shape enterprises of all scales to improve the well-being of individuals, communities, and economies around the world. Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 2026 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 research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 4) a teaching statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 5) at least one (but not more than three) writing sample demonstrating scholarly impact; and 6) names and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted online to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30219. This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate to within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions. Applications received by September 15, 2025 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For questions regarding the position, please contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jonathon P. Schuldt. For administrative support regarding the application process, contact Kelli Carr.