Research Professor - Greenhouse Gas Measurements and Modeling

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State (University Park, PA) announces an opening for a Research Professor to contribute to and to lead research on greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements and modeling. The successful candidate will contribute to projects targeted at understanding sources of sink of GHGs in the earth system. The successful candidate will contribute to both measurements and numerical modeling of GHGs from a variety of systems, potentially including but not limited to oil and gas production, agricultural systems, cities and ecosystems. The candidate will co-lead the measurement and analysis programs of a highly collaborative research group.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership of the group responsible for setup, operation and maintenance of ground based GHG observing systems.
• Evaluation of networks of GHG measurements.
• Evaluation of surface-atmosphere exchange of GHGs using atmospheric budgets and inversions.
• Lead and contribute to publications using these measurement systems.
• Serve as lead investigator, as appropriate, for funded research efforts related to these topics.
• Advise or co-advise graduate and undergraduate researchers working in these areas.

Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in atmospheric science or a related field and ten or more years of experience testing, deploying and maintaining ground-based GHG observational systems.
• Nationally-recognized expertise with instrument calibration, field deployment and operation, including established ties with national and international instrument network leaders and a record of publication in this field.
• Strong communications and writing skills, ability to multi-task, and ability to work with a diverse array of collaborators. 
• Ability to advise project graduate students.
• Ability to lead a group of instrument scientists.
• Ability to serve as principal investigator for funded research efforts.

Interested Candidates should submit a cover letter describing their interest in the position and career goals, a CV including publication list, and names & contact information of up to three references. For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Ken Davis ([email protected]).

This position is funded for one year from the date of hire with the excellent possibility of renewal pending available funding and satisfactory performance.

The position will be available as early as 1 November, 2026 and will remain open until filled. Salaries will be commensurate with education and experience.   

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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