Pennsylvania State University, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences

Position ID:Pennsylvania State University-Institute for Computational and Data Sciences-ARVR [#20826]
Position Title: Director of the Center for Immersive Experiences (CIE)
Position Type:Open Rank
Position Location:University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
Subject Area: Visualization
Appl Deadline:2022/08/01 11:59PMhelp popup finished (2022/01/07, finished 2023/02/04, listed until 2022/08/01)
Position Description:   URMs  

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

The Pennsylvania State University seeks applications for an open-rank tenure-track/tenured faculty position to serve as the Director of the Center for Immersive Experiences (CIE; immersive.psu.edu). Immersive experiences (IE) provide a unique perspective on a system or situation. CIE is a university-wide center charged with advancing the science of immersive experiences and its expression across all domains of research and pedagogy. The Center is the Penn State nexus for developing, integrating, and evaluating immersive experiences and technologies to create new knowledge, interpret complex ideas, and increase understanding of phenomena. Its mission prioritizes the integration of IE across the spectrum of research, education, and outreach. As such, CIE is poised to play a key role in leading the emerging University strategic priority related to Advanced Visualization. 

CIE is a research center in the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS; https://www.icds.psu.edu/). ICDS is one of seven interdisciplinary research institutes in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research. 

At its core, CIE advances transdisciplinary research in immersive experiences and technologies across and beyond Penn State, including in the classroom to advance pedagogy, in the field with location-based visualizations, and in the lab with advanced training of our students, staff, and faculty. Integral to the CIE is the team of skilled experts working across the Penn State community, providing access to cutting-edge immersive technologies and collaborating on specialized applications. The Center has a well-established footprint, including a seed funding program to build new collaborations utilizing CIE expertise and staff, and a yearly symposium to increase the reach of the CIE community at Penn State. The Center has a physical, public presence in the University Libraries on the University Park campus, advancing the University Libraries' mission of leveraging technology and rewarding innovation. 

The new Director will have the freedom to develop a compelling new vision for CIE and grow leadership in immersive experiences to take CIE to the next level. Through this, the Director will build the network, leadership, and center team to make this vision a reality. The Director will have fiduciary responsibility for the Center’s budget and is expected to have a successful record in, and visionary plans for, securing grant funding to expand the Center’s impact and activities. The Director will manage, support, and redesign a physical space at a centralized location at University Park within the Pattee Library. 

The successful applicant will have a terminal degree in a field related to the Center’s mission and expertise in directing and coordinating center-level activities. This terminal degree could represent Geography, Arts. Architecture, Computer Science, Communications, Information Science, Health, Medicine, Physics, Geosciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Education, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Liberal Arts, Data Science, or fields related to Immersive Technology. Successful applicants will have experience in immersive technologies, especially facilitating interdisciplinary research projects and engaging across a breadth of application areas.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. We will prioritize candidates who have experience supervising and/or collaborating with research team members from diverse backgrounds. 

Review of applications will begin in early February 2022; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce (http://equity.psu.edu/psu-diversity-statement/at_download/file). 

To apply, applicants should submit through both Academicjobsonline.org, and the Penn State jobs site (search for  Director of the Center for Immersive Experiences): 
  • a cover letter (not more than three pages) summarizing relevant professional achievements as well as engagement in or commitment to inclusion and diversity as it relates to broadening participation across a wide range of social, arts, medical and STEM research; 
  • a one-page teaching statement 
  • a statement describing their vision for the Center and initial steps towards this vision; 
  • a research statement up to five pages in length (excluding references) 
  • a curriculum vitae, and 
  • applicants will also need to arrange for three reference letters to be submitted to Academic Jobs Online; this step will be initiated at a later stage of the interview process for applicants at the Associate and Full Professor level. 
Please direct questions to the search committee chair, Patrick Dudas (pmd19@psu.edu). Please include “CIE Director Search” in the subject line.

Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/University-Park-Campus/Director-of-the-Center-for-Immersive-Experiences--CIE-_REQ_0000023946-1
email address
 
Institute for Computational and Data Sciences
Penn State University
215 Computer Building
University Park, PA 16802