Current Position Openings and Searches

Last updated July 1, 2008

Department Positions

Biology | Chemistry and Chemical Biology | Computer Science | Earth and Environmental Sciences | Mathematical Sciences | Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy

Research Center Positions

Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies

Biology

David M. Darrin ´40 Senior Endowed Chair

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute invites applications and nominations for a distinguished scientist, with international reputation, well-established research and teaching record, and demonstrated ability to generate external funding for the David M. Darrin ´40 Senior Endowed Chair. The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. in an appropriate field with accomplishments in developing and managing research programs that are commensurate with a faculty appointment at the level of tenured, full professor. The David M. Darrin ´40 Senior Endowed Chair will be expected to play a critical role to lead and integrate environmental research and educational programs at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI) and the Rensselaer main campus in Troy, NY. Recruitment is any area of environmental or ecological sciences and engineering which will enhance the research, educational, and outreach activities of the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and Rensselaer.

The Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing, NY is a leading university-based research center that conducts a diverse array of programs in fresh-water biology, environmental sciences, global climate change, and related disciplines. For nearly four decades, the DFWI has maintained a consistent record of success in developing and implementing a range of programs in basic and applied research and graduate and undergraduate education. Its specific scientific fields of interest include: freshwater biology, limnology, environmental microbiology, geomicrobiology, aquatic geochemistry, invasive species, remote sensing, and water-resource management.

Nominations and applications should be sent as a single PDF document containing curriculum vitae, a statement of research accomplishments and goals, and a brief description of teaching interests to biology-chair@rpi.edu. Questions may be directed to

Dr. Susan P. Gilbert, Chair
Search Committee for David M. Darrin ´40 Senior Endowed Chair
Department of Biology – 1W14 JRSC
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590

Consideration of candidates will begin upon receipt of applications and will continue until the position is filled.

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse intellectual, geographical, gender, and ethnic perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Faculty

The School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is seeking two exceptionally qualified scientists to work in an exciting, interdisciplinary environment as full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty positions at any rank (assistant, associate, or full professor) in the Department of Biology.  The Department of Biology is in a period of rapid expansion with many new faculty appointments anticipated in the next five years.  We are seeking candidates in a wide spectrum of areas, including but not limited to

• Ecology and Evolution including Evo/Devo
• Microbiology including host-pathogen interactions
• RNA Biology
• Single Molecule Mechanics
• Structural Biology
• Systems Biology

The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, postdoctoral experience, and will be expected to establish an extramurally funded research program, train graduate students, and participate in undergraduate education.  Applicants should email a single PDF document containing curriculum vitae, a three-page statement of research accomplishments and goals, and a brief description of teaching interests to biology-chair@rpi.edu.  In addition, applicants should arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation forwarded by email.  Consideration of candidates will begin upon receipt of applications and will continue until the positions are filled.

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse intellectual, geographical, gender and ethnic perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Thomas and Constance D'Ambra Senior Chair in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute invites nominations and applications for the Thomas and Constance D'Ambra Senior Chair in Chemistry. This endowed chair was created through the generosity of  the D'Ambra family, co-founders of Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI). Outstanding candidates with a commitment to excellence in research and teaching are being sought with the expectation that the successful candidate will maintain a vigorous federally funded research program in synthetic organic chemistry or a closely related area.

The Department is in a period of growth and development to expand on the strengths of its current faculty of 19, in concert with unprecedented expansion at Rensselaer in Biotechnology, Information Technology and enabling areas that is the result of major capital investments and faculty hires. 

Numerous opportunities for collaborative research exist within the Department as well as other academic departments and Rensselaer's new Biotechnology Center. With Troy being a integral part of the capital district of upstate NY, a number of Department members also participate in local research collaborations with, for example, AMRI,  Wadsworth Laboratories, GE R&D, University at Albany, Albany Medical College, and Ordway Research Institute. 

Commensurate with experience, this position comes with a highly competitive salary and startup package. 

Please send nominations and applications to:

Dr. Mark P. Wentland, Professor
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 Eighth St.,
Troy, NY 12180-3590

Review of applicants will begin immediately and the search will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified. Rensselaer is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Computer Science

No open positions at this time.

Earth and Environmental Sciences

No open positions at this time.

Mathematical Sciences

Professor and Head, Department of Mathematical Sciences

The School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute invites applications or nominations for the position of Professor and Head, Department of Mathematical Sciences. An individual is sought who can provide strong, dynamic and innovative leadership for advancing excellence in research, teaching, and activities in the mathematical sciences community. The successful candidate should have an established national and international reputation in research, and have a distinguished record of academic and professional leadership.

The Department has built a strong reputation in applied mathematics, including modeling, analysis, numerical methods, and operations research. This has been achieved though the impact of research, quality of the students, and commitment of the department to education. Another component is intellectual leadership, and on-campus examples include the integral contributions the math faculty are making to the Inverse Problems Center, the Bioinformatics Center, the Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems, and the Exploratory Center for Cheminformatics Research. The research in the Department has a significant interdisciplinary component, and many of the faculty have strong, active links with other departments, national labs and industry. Moreover, Rensselaer is currently undergoing an unprecedented growth in faculty and research facilities, through a billion-dollar capital campaign. A recent significant example is the new Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations, which houses one of the most powerful university-based computing facilities.

The position is available beginning Fall 2008, with competitive salary and benefits. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2008. The Search Committee will review applications until the position is filled. Applications, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae, should be sent to:

Department Head Search Committee
c/o Michele Kronau
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Email: kronam@rpi.edu

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer, particularly encourages applications from women and minority candidates.

Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Position in Applied Mathematics and Computational Oceanography

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position, co-hosted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Center for Atmosphere Ocean Sciences in the Courant Institute for Mathematical Sciences at New York University, for the purpose of conducting interdisciplinary research in applied mathematics and ocean science. This project, supported by the National Science Foundation, is supervised by Prof. Peter Kramer at Rensselaer and by Prof. Shafer Smith at the Courant Institute. The work concerns the use of mathematical and computational modeling inturbulent transport theory for the purpose of improving parameterization schemes for mesoscale turbulence in computational ocean models for climate prediction.

Candidates should have a strong background in applied mathematics and scientific computation, and specifically be capable with numerical simulations of partial differential equations. Expertise in the fields of fluid dynamics, stochastic modeling, and asymptotics would be particularly advantageous. An interest in and capacity for collaboration with both applied mathematicians and computational oceanographers is essential, though no prior experience in atmosphere-ocean science is necessary. The successful candidate will be expected to spend ample time at both institutions, working with both PIs.

Candidates must have a PhD in applied mathematics, physical oceanography, mathematics, physics, mechanical or chemical engineering, before the start date,which can be negotiated to be any time between now and summer 2008. The appointments are annual, and may be renewed for a total of two or three years, depending on performance and availability of funds. The salary and benefits are competitive. Applicants should submit: (i) a current vita with a publication list, (ii) a statement of research accomplishments and interests, and (iii) three letters ofrecommendation based on research and graduate study. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled.

Please file applications online, by email to kronam@rpi.edu, or by mail to:

CMG Postdoc Search
Department of Mathematical Sciences,
110 8th Street,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Troy, NY 12180

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and New York University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers

Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy

Adjunct Faculty
Multiple Adjunct Faculty Positions

**PhD in Physics required.
Presents lectures for introductory physics using materials prepared by the course supervisor.
Lead in-class activities and recitation in introductory sections.
Proctor and grade monthly exams with other faculty instructors in the same introductory physics course.
Attend weekly staff meetings.
Hold weekly office hours and respond to questions from students in your section(s).
Supervise TAs recording and reporting weekly grades and final grades to the course supervisor.
Make up one exam per semester.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of teaching to the attention of Joan Perras,
Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
110-8th Street, Science Center 1C25, Troy, NY 12180, electronic version to perraj@rpi.edu.

Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Rensselaer is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

Postdoctoral Research Associate  
Future Chips Constellation

Postdoctoral Research Associates/Research Associates
Center for Terahertz Research

The Center for Terahertz Research at Rensselaer in Troy, New York, is soliciting applicants for postdoctoral research associate and research associate opportunities in terahertz technology. The project is to develop and apply compact spectroscopy and imaging systems in the terahertz frequency range for applications in chemical and biological spectroscopy.  

Applicants must have a doctorate in physics, electrical engineering, chemistry or similar. We seek an experimentalist with experience and expertise in ultrafast phenomena, clean-room fabrication, designing electronic control, or data acquisition systems. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Previous experience with time-domain THz spectroscopy / imaging is desired. Experience with Solidworks, OrCAD, Zemax and Labview are encouraged. The successful applicant must be eligible to visit the Department of Defense or National Laboratory.  

Interested individuals should send a resume and cover letter, and three reference letters to the address below. Application materials are accepted until positions are filled.

Christopher Thorne
Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Associate Positions-Center for Terahertz Research
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
CII 9009
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590

E-mail: thornc3@rpi.edu  

Professorship in Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy
Career Development Kodosky Constellation

Rensselaer is seeking exceptional candidates for a tenure-track Career Development Kodosky Constellation Professorship. The successful candidate is expected to form a strong alliance in first-principles predictive theories with the current Kodosky Constellation Professor in the Department, Shengbai Zhang, to jointly establish and enhance scholastic distinction and leadership.  We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in quantum transport, very large-scale electronic calculation, or many-body theory such as the GW quasiparticle or quantum Monte Carlo method, and with exceptional vision on revolutionizing computer-aided fundamental researches for energy conversion, future electronics, and nano sciences. Strong desire and ability to interact closely with experimentalists are required. Topics of interest include, but not limited to: 1) size and symmetry-driven nano physics, molecular and nano electronics; 2) complex phenomena of impurities and defects, physics of materials far from equilibrium or under extreme conditions, photovoltaics, solid-state lighting; 3) physical chemistry in nano catalysis, hydrogen storage, and other forms of energy generation and storage; 4) optical physics in the form of plasmonics, photonic crystal, and THz applications; and 5) organic and bio electronic materials.

Rensselaer, in collaboration with IBM and New York State, has developed a $100 million partnership, the Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations (CCNI), to create the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputing center, and a top 10 supercomputing center of any kind in the world. 

Candidates should possess established record of exceptional research accomplishment, funding history, interdisciplinary inquiry, and strategic vision.  Nominations and applications should be sent to:

Debbie McCann
Bio and IT Constellation Search Coordinator
Office of the President
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Office Location: Bio-Tech - 4227
Mailstop: Bio. Tech 2nd Fl.
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Phone # 518-276-3239
Fax # 518-276-3405

All applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a list of four references.  Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.  Rensselaer is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Darrin Fresh Water Institute

Research Assistant

Responsible for assisting with routine duties according to the type of research in which the supervising scientist or researcher is engaged, i.e., may prepare information for analysis, examination or presentation; may perform standardized tests; may participate in field explorations; may participate in library research and may use computers to facilitate data collection or document information; may perform other office/clerical duties as required.

High School diploma with interest in Environmental Biology, Chemistry or related discipline, clean drivers license. Additional skills which are desirable but not absolutely required include SCUBA certification, small boat operation, and laboratory experience.