Faculty Research Associate in Environmental Studies
Apply NowCompany: Vassar College
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Description:
Department
Environmental Studies Program
Vassar College is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Decisions concerning employment are made on the basis of an individual's qualifications to contribute to meeting Vassar College's educational objectives and its institutional needs, which includes promoting a respect for difference and creating a learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Candidates who can contribute to these goals through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact careers@vassar.edu
Job Description
Position Introduction:
The Environmental Studies Program at Vassar College, in conjunction with Vassar's Environmental Research Institute, invites applications for a two-year Research Associate position in Community-Engaged Macro-Energy Systems Modeling, beginning in August 2025.
Job Description:
The research associate will conduct energy modeling research scaled to New York's Hudson Valley on a topic falling under the general heading "Navigating the mid-transition in the Hudson Valley." The position has two parallel goals: to help local leaders and community members understand the implications and trade-offs involved in policy decisions within their control and to build understanding and capacity among faculty and students at Vassar. Topics and modeling approaches will be designed in collaboration with the supervisory committee. Possible topics include: How do proposed moratoriums on the siting of grid-scale battery energy storage systems affect peaker-plant generation, energy costs, grid reliability, and public health? How will more or less restrictive permitting requirements for rooftop, community, or utility-scale solar affect local and regional energy mixes? At what point in the transition to an electric vehicle fleet do large numbers of gas filling stations risk becoming stranded assets, potentially imposing environmental and financial burdens on municipalities where they're located? Applicants are encouraged to propose their own project.
The research associate will be responsible for communicating their research questions and findings to local elected officials, municipal planners, and the broader public through various forums during the term of the project. The fellow will also have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in producing scholarly publications on the work. Computing resources at Vassar include a computing cluster and various forms of academic computing resources and consultants.
In order to make this research more accessible to students within the Vassar community, the fellow will be responsible for teaching one undergraduate course at Vassar in each academic year of the project (a total of two courses in the two years) on topics related to the research and modeling work.
Application Materials:
How to Apply:
Applications should be addressed to Prof. Jeff Seidman and submitted online at: https://vassar.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Vassar-External. PhD is required and must be in hand by time of appointment. Please contact jeseidman@vassar.edu with any questions. Review of applicant materials will begin on May 01, 2025 and will continue until the position has been filled. There is no guarantee that applications received after May 01, 2025 will be reviewed.
Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The annual salary for this full-time Faculty Research Associate is $82,000 (USD).
Environmental Studies Program
Vassar College is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Decisions concerning employment are made on the basis of an individual's qualifications to contribute to meeting Vassar College's educational objectives and its institutional needs, which includes promoting a respect for difference and creating a learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Candidates who can contribute to these goals through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact careers@vassar.edu
Job Description
Position Introduction:
The Environmental Studies Program at Vassar College, in conjunction with Vassar's Environmental Research Institute, invites applications for a two-year Research Associate position in Community-Engaged Macro-Energy Systems Modeling, beginning in August 2025.
Job Description:
The research associate will conduct energy modeling research scaled to New York's Hudson Valley on a topic falling under the general heading "Navigating the mid-transition in the Hudson Valley." The position has two parallel goals: to help local leaders and community members understand the implications and trade-offs involved in policy decisions within their control and to build understanding and capacity among faculty and students at Vassar. Topics and modeling approaches will be designed in collaboration with the supervisory committee. Possible topics include: How do proposed moratoriums on the siting of grid-scale battery energy storage systems affect peaker-plant generation, energy costs, grid reliability, and public health? How will more or less restrictive permitting requirements for rooftop, community, or utility-scale solar affect local and regional energy mixes? At what point in the transition to an electric vehicle fleet do large numbers of gas filling stations risk becoming stranded assets, potentially imposing environmental and financial burdens on municipalities where they're located? Applicants are encouraged to propose their own project.
The research associate will be responsible for communicating their research questions and findings to local elected officials, municipal planners, and the broader public through various forums during the term of the project. The fellow will also have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in producing scholarly publications on the work. Computing resources at Vassar include a computing cluster and various forms of academic computing resources and consultants.
In order to make this research more accessible to students within the Vassar community, the fellow will be responsible for teaching one undergraduate course at Vassar in each academic year of the project (a total of two courses in the two years) on topics related to the research and modeling work.
Application Materials:
- Cover Letter & CV
- Research Statement
- Community Impact Statement highlighting contributions to and/or future plans for promoting diversity and inclusion through teaching, research and/or professional involvements (additional information can be found at: https://offices.vassar.edu/dean-of-the-faculty/positions/community-impact-statement/)
- Graduate School Transcripts (unofficial copy is acceptable at the time of application)
- Writing Sample
- Three Reference Letters
How to Apply:
Applications should be addressed to Prof. Jeff Seidman and submitted online at: https://vassar.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Vassar-External. PhD is required and must be in hand by time of appointment. Please contact jeseidman@vassar.edu with any questions. Review of applicant materials will begin on May 01, 2025 and will continue until the position has been filled. There is no guarantee that applications received after May 01, 2025 will be reviewed.
Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The annual salary for this full-time Faculty Research Associate is $82,000 (USD).