Assistant Professor in Science, Environment, and Risk Communication
Assistant Professor in Science, Environment, and Risk Communication
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Job Description
Assistant Professor
Cohort Hire: Creating a Climate-Resilient Future
Focus: Science Environment and Risk Communication
Department of Communication Cornell University
Position: Assistant Professor Tenure-track.
Location:Ithaca NY. The academic home for this position is the Department of Communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.
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 Departments 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 departments 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.
Department of Communication: Cornells Department of Communication is an international leader in the study of communication as a social science. Our faculty and students are dedicated to understanding the role and enhancing the effectiveness of communication processes systems and infrastructure in society. We explore communication in its many forms and contexts as a fundamentally social phenomenon. Our faculty members are recognized for developing and applying novel theoretical perspectives to the most pressing social and policy issues of the day. We explore communication in its many forms and contexts as a fundamentally social phenomenon. Current work in the department related to this position includes a focus on public opinion about environmental issues public engagement with emerging technologies rural communities migration issues and risk perception and policy. Department faculty participate actively in Cornells interdisciplinary community such as through the Cornell Center for Social Sciences Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Cornell Tech Brooks School of Public Policy S.C. Johnson College of Business and Weill Cornell Medical College. They collaborate with faculty in multiple departments such as Information Science; Science & Technology Studies; Government; Feminist Gender and Sexuality Studies; Global Sustainability and the Environment among many others. The department is ranked among the top five in the nation in the most recent study by the National Research Council. This ranking reflects the productivity and quality of the faculty and the diversity and success of our students. The department is housed in a state-of-the-art office space that encourages collaborative work.
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:
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.
CALS hiring range for position:
Assistant Professor: $9000 to $135000
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.
The new faculty member will join a collaborative interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Ithaca New York. 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 universitys mission of teaching discovery and engagement.
Cornells 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 colleges 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.
With a founding principle of any personany studyCornell is anequal opportunity employer.
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The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornells union wages see Union Pay Rates.
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Employment Type
Full-Time
