Research Professor in Environmental Decision Support Science

The Institute on the Environment (IonE) at the University of Minnesota is creating a 25% Research Professor in Environmental Decision Support Science appointment to complement the 75% Director of Research and Knowledge Initiatives role. Together, these appointments unite strategic leadership and engaged scholarship to accelerate IonE's impact on sustainability and global environmental challenges.

This position establishes a 25% Research Professorship in Environmental Decision Support Science at IonE; the appointment represents the research faculty portion of a dual appointment and is complementary to a 75% Professional and Administrative (P&A) role serving as the Director of Research and Knowledge Initiatives (KI).

Together, this dual appointment strengthens IonE's mission to deliver innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances climate resilience, sustainability, and environmental solutions through both strategic leadership and active scholarship.

At IonE, we frame sustainability as a social, economic, and ecological state where the needs of all people are met in a way that sustains - and even restores - the natural world: where people and planet prosper together. Within this domain, we are focused on advancing pathways to just, equitable, and sustainable outcomes.

We seek a part-time Research Professor in Environmental Decision Support Science to develop and lead an externally funded, engaged-research program that supports large-scale research-to-operations or research-to-impact pathways for scientific decision support tools or engagement processes to be effectively used by public and private organizations and the public to increase the use of this knowledge in societal decision-making.

Applicants are expected to have expertise in the use of multidisciplinary social science research methods and environmental data and models to advance the field of decision support science in ways that are rooted in interdisciplinary perspectives. Applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to working with partners outside of academia and show how their work contributes to the impact of these partnerships.

This position is for a 25% Research Professorship in Environmental Decision Support Science associated with an existing administrative leadership role. The successful appointee will be an internationally recognized scholar who will continue, part-time, their independent research career at the intersection of original scholarship and translational science, with an emphasis on team science and collaboration that includes other members of the IonE community.

For the research professorship responsibilities, the appointee is expected to have an established externally funded research program that significantly supports their salary, research expenses, and other researchers.

This position will be based in the Knowledge Initiatives (KI) unit of the Institute, which hosts the portfolio of interdisciplinary sustainability research and scholarly activity for IonE. The position is located at IonE on the St. Paul, MN campus and the person will be expected to fully participate in IonE, including attending IonE events as well as developing working relationships with other IonE staff, university researchers and students, and external partners. This position allows for some teleworking; however, because of the collaborative nature of this work, the incumbent must be able to work on campus regularly (at least 3 days per week).

Roles and Responsibilities (for 25% Research Professorship)
Note: 75% of the portfolio for this position is expected to be Professional and Administrative (P&A) leadership associated with the IonE Director of Research and Knowledge Initiatives.

Externally-funded Research Program as a Practitioner-leader | 90%

• Maintain and grow an internationally recognized research program within an impact goal domain aligned with IonE's strategic priorities.
• Identify, pursue, and secure external funding, such as grants, external sales, philanthropic contributions, and partnerships, to support both salaries and expenditures for research program priorities.
• Build and sustain collaborations with UMN researchers, scholars across disciplines, and the non-academic partnerships required to ensure that research outcomes are actionable and societally impactful.

Visibility and Thought Leadership | 10%

• Engage in public discourse around climate and environmental issues and solution pathways, representing IonE in academic and public forums, and establishing IonE as a key thought leader in the field.
• Serve in high profile leadership and/or honorific appointments to, for example, scientific or national academy committees, boards, scientific assessments, or professional societies.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in water quality modeling and decision analysis, and interdisciplinary area of scholarship consistent with IonE's impact goal domains.
• Internationally recognized scholar in an area of sustainability with a demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, collaborative impact-focused research initiatives toward a common, shared vision.
• Experience in strategic and complex multi-institutional budget planning, grant writing, and fundraising, with a track record of securing external funding for research initiatives.
• Proven ability to cultivate long-term partnerships with non-academic collaborators, organizations, foundations, and funding agencies.
• Exceptional skill in public engagement around climate and environmental issues, with the ability to translate research into actionable, equitable insights that inform policy and societal decision-making.
• Willingness to work regularly in-person at IonE on the UMN St. Paul campus
• Current U.S. work eligibility

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary institution that works to advance sustainability through collaborative research, leadership and education programming, and public-interest storytelling and communications.

Pay Range: $43,750-$60,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 25% Time Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

The job posting will close on November 6th, 2025 and all applications submitted by this date will be considered. Candidates who do not submit all required materials by the job close date, in the requested format, will not move forward. To apply, please submit as a single PDF:
1. A detailed cover letter that describes your expertise and qualifications.
2. CV, and
3. Contact information for at least 3 recent references (i.e., name, title, organization; URL to biographical sketch or similar; address, phone number, and email address; and relationship to the candidate). References will not be contacted until final candidates have been identified.

This position requires confirmation of doctoral degree receipt, which will be formally verified. Research Professors require a UMN departmental affiliation outside of IonE; we will work with finalists to identify the appropriate department.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).