Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment - Faculty
The Division of Environmental Sciences and Policy (ESP) in the Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) at Duke University seeks an Associate or Full Professor of the Practice in Natural Resources Finance. The growth of investment in forestland, water rights, mitigation/conservation banks, sustainable fisheries, and other natural resources has created demand for professionals who combine skills related to natural resource management with skills in financial analysis and investment management. It has also increased the value of finance professionals who have a basic understanding of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concepts. This position seeks to build on Duke’s and NSOE’s strengths in the education and practice of natural resource finance as well as ESG-investment management.
Responsibilities This position is a 9-month, regular-rank, non-tenure track position. Chief responsibilities include: 1) Engaging in scholarship or other activities that advance the application of new or existing knowledge to the practice of natural resources finance. Examples vary but may include peer-reviewed academic publications, written output for practitioners or the public (e.g., articles in trade journals, reports for industry associations or government agencies, op-eds, blogposts), oral presentations at conferences and workshops, and participation in public, private, or nonprofit task forces. 2) Teaching 3 semester-long courses for students in NSOE’s Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and SAF-accredited Master of Forestry (MF) programs. Courses will include an introductory financial foundations course, a more advanced course in natural resources investment, and a third course to be determined in consultation with the ESP Division Chair. 3) Serving as coursework advisor and Master’s Project advisor for MEM and MF students. 4) Directing and providing intellectual leadership for NSOE’s Natural Resources Finance Initiative (NRFI). Duties include: (i) organizing relevant activities during the academic year (e.g., speaker series and workshops); (ii) advising students on summer internships and jobs related to natural resources finance; (iii) collaborating with NSOE’s Executive Education program on the design and delivery of short courses for working professionals in natural resources finance; (iv) serving as liaison to related programs at Duke (in particular, Duke Financial Economics Center, Fuqua School of Business, and Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions/Duke University Energy Initiative); and (v) networking with Duke alumni and other professionals and private/public/nonprofit organizations in the natural resources finance space. The standard teaching load for NSOE Professors of Practice is 3.5 semester-long courses; directing NRFI counts as the equivalent of half of a course.
Appointment The position is full-time during the academic year, with regularly scheduled courses being taught in-person. The 9-month academic year at Duke runs from roughly mid-August to mid-May. A portion of faculty time during the academic year can be used for consulting or similar work. Regular-rank faculty on 9-month appointments determine how to allocate their time during the summer. Examples of summer activities include research or practice funded by external grants and contracts administered by Duke, teaching in Duke summer instructional programs, and consulting for organizations outside Duke. In the case of research or practice funded by external grants and contracts administered by Duke, faculty may receive summer supplements for up to 3/9ths of their academic-year salary.
At Duke, the intent is that regular rank non-tenure track faculty members will have a long-term and ongoing contractual relationship with the University. The initial contract for the Professor of the Practice of Natural Resources Finance will be for 4 years. Reappointment requires successful performance of teaching and advising, practice, and service by the faculty member and continued need by NSOE’s instructional programs. The standard contract period for Professors of Practice after the initial contract is 5 years.
Qualifications Applicants should have a PhD or other doctorate in a relevant field. Professional experience with natural resources finance is required, with experience in the private sector strongly preferred. Applicants must be available to begin teaching in the 2023 fall semester but may begin teaching as early as the spring 2023 spring semester.
Application To apply, please submit: 1) A short cover letter describing interest in and qualifications for the position. 2) An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume. 3) A two-page statement of experience and interests in the practice of natural resources finance, including any related scholarly work. 4) A two-page statement of mentoring or teaching experience and philosophy, including experience with, and commitment to, mentoring diverse groups of coworkers or teaching and advising a diverse student body. 5) Up to three publications or other written materials relevant to natural resources finance or related topics. 6) Names and contact information for three references.
Applications should be submitted at AcademicJobsOnline. See Job # 21821 The search committee will begin reviewing applications on August 29, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Jeffrey Vincent (Jeff.Vincent@duke.edu).
About Duke University Duke is one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, it is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the United States to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate,and professional schools.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. We strongly support an inclusive work environment that is committed to becoming antiracist and diversifying our faculty ranks.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. For the complete Duke University nondiscrimination and affirmative action policies see: https://oie.duke.edu/introduction-policies. Candidates with backgrounds underrepresented in natural resource fields are especially encouraged to apply. More information about the Nicholas School of the Environment’s diversity, inclusion, and antiracist work can be found at: https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/diversity/. Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required: Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application: Cover letter Curriculum Vitae Up to three publications or other written materials relevant to natural resources finance or related topics. Two-page statement of experience and interest in Nat. Res. Finance Two-page statement of mentoring or teaching experience and philosophy, including experience with, and commitment to, mentoring diverse group Three references (actual letters acceptable but not required, just names and email addresses) And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: https://nicholas.duke.edu
Laura Turcott ljturco@duke.edu
919-613-8081
Box 90329
Duke University
Durham NC 27708