Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) Director

Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) Director

Penn State's Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) is seeking a Director. CSRE is a collaborative effort by multiple Penn State colleges, campuses, and research institutes to promote interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach in the area of security. The center seeks to address topics involving threats to homeland, national, and global peace and security; the underlying causes of these threats; strategies and techniques for prevention and consequence management; and the effects of security measures on individual liberties, human rights, economic well-being, and culture. The Director is responsible for planning and executing the CSRE program and is ultimately responsible to the CSRE Executive Board, comprised of Penn State's Senior Vice President for Research and the academic deans and directors of CSRE contributing units.

The Director's primary duty is leading Penn State's effort to secure external funding to support inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary research on security-related topics generally, with a particular emphasis on topics within the United States' critical infrastructure sectors. Additional duties include developing, organizing, and executing activities designed to bring Penn State faculty from diverse disciplines together around security-related topics; overseeing execution of the CSRE grant program; facilitating and coordinating security-themed grant proposals and providing support for externally-funded grant projects; organizing and executing University-wide and public educational events; and supervising the CSRE staff.

A Ph.D. or terminal degree is strongly preferred, as is a proven track record of obtaining funding from government agencies, foundations, or other funding sources. Consistent with CSRE's charter, the candidate must demonstrate general familiarity with the broad range of security threats facing society. In addition, a research agenda, extensive experience, or both, demonstrating expertise with issues and potential funding opportunities within one or more of the United States' 16 critical infrastructure sectors is preferred. The successful candidate must be a creative and critical thinker who can drive strategic initiatives to completion and use superior problem solving, organizational, and project-management skills across academic disciplines. In addition, the candidate needs strong interpersonal skills to interact in a team environment and with a variety of stakeholders both within and outside the University, to include faculty, administrators, staff, staff, students, government and industry leaders, and the public. The candidate should have excellent written and oral communication skills and have a well-developed appreciation for the higher education environment. Individuals from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

The director must be eligible for an academic appointment within a relevant Penn State academic unit and be prepared to spend between 25% to 50% of their time on CSRE business, with the specific allocation agreed on by the relevant academic unit(s) and CSRE. CSRE will coordinate closely with relevant academic units throughout the search process. The successful candidate will be appointed to an academic rank commensurate with their qualifications in the tenure line, non-tenure line (for teaching faculty or research faculty), or as a professor of practice, pursuant to Penn State policy AC21 Definition of Academic Ranks. All ranks are subject to relevant University promotion and tenure policies.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion and belonging that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, and leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity. We value inclusion and belonging as core strengths and essential elements of our public service mission.

The position is located in State College, PA. The ability to travel regionally, nationally, and internationally is required. This position requires standard background checks. The appointment as director is for a five-year limited-term from the beginning of employment with excellent possibility of re-funding contingent on performance. Tenure or term arrangements with the home academic unit will be negotiated separately and in coordination with CSRE.


Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/University-Park-Campus/Center-for-Security-Research-and-Education--CSRE--Director_REQ_0000020145-1

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Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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