Careers at GIS
Meet the needs of a fast-growing world with us.
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) is a leading sustainability research and education organization at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Our institute is focused on finding novel ways to translate interdisciplinary research and education into the ideas, technologies, and connections that are helping decision-makers to meet the world’s growing needs.
Help the world move forward on sustainability with us.
Our six industry-facing applied research centers focus on sustainable manufacturing, energy, transportation, and buildings. Each year, more than 100 companies, government agencies, and other organizations engage GIS’s research centers to put technology and innovation to work for a sustainable future.
Solve for sustainability with us.
Simple, easy answers don’t work when it comes to solving challenges like climate change or the energy transition. That’s why we are systems-level thinkers. Our goal at every step is to find sustainable and profitable pathways that allow more people to live better lives without exhausting the finite resources of our planet.
Get things done with us.
We are innovative problem-solvers and doers. Behind our work are some of today’s brightest minds in sustainable development. Our industry-seasoned engineers, technicians, and researchers work hand-in-hand with the institute’s internationally renowned academic faculty to advance the ideas and technologies shaping what sustainability will look like tomorrow.
Work—and grow—with us.
We are the perfect fit for professionals from across industry and academia in search of a uniquely dynamic, hands-on working environment that is driven at every level by problem-solving. Our faculty, researchers, and staff value the many opportunities to contribute their talents and hone their skills that our growing, project-based organization offers.
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Staff Positions
Director NYS Pollution Prevention Institute (9370BR)
The Director leads and directs the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I), a statewide technology development, transfer, and assistance center whose mission is to make New York State more environmentally sustainable for businesses, workers, and the public through more efficient use of raw materials, energy and water, and reductions in toxic chemical use, emissions to the environment and waste generation. NYSP2I is an integrated program of several major elements: direct technical assistance to industry and organizations; research, development, and diffusion; outreach and education; a community grants program; and support of New York State’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, climate action plan, and other initiatives. NYSP2I is led by Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) and is a partnership between RIT, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University at Binghamton, Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The primary source of funding for NYSP2I is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through the Environmental Protection Fund as a dedicated line item.
Senior Materials Engineer (8796BR)
Golisano Institute for Sustainability is looking for an engineer or scientist with strong leadership skills, experimental and analytical materials background, and a passion for solving real-world problems. In our environment, researchers work on a wide variety of products and technologies, work with undergraduate and graduate students, and are engaged in collaborative research with leading companies on projects in diverse project areas such as: advanced manufacturing and remanufacturing, recycling, energy generation and storage systems, materials development and analysis, and sustainability and sustainable design.
Marketing & Recruitment Manager (8887BR)
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology has a job opening for a Marketing and Recruitment Manager. The institute is home to three graduate degree programs: a MS in Sustainable Systems, a Ph.D. in Sustainability, and a Master of Architecture. Graduating about 30 students a year in high-impact, niche fields, our mission is to further innovation in sustainability to solve complex problems around the globe that require systems-based thinking. Through our degree programs, we develop students to become transformative agents of change within industry, government, academia, and the nonprofit sector.
Engineer II - LCA and Engineering Analysis (9114BR)
The Engineer II, LCA and Engineering Analysis position is part of the GIS Circular Economy Innovation team. This team is responsible for conducting circular economy and environmental sustainability research and technical assistance projects, which may include life cycle assessment, sustainable design, product development assessment and assistance, environmental impact assessment and other related work. Members of the team may also at times support the GIS Pollution Prevention and/or Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing teams.
Senior Laboratory Technician (9184BR)
As a core member of the GIS dedicated research team, this position will support an engineering team on various applied research and technical programs. The person in this position will leverage experience in set-up and execution of a wide variety of laboratory tests, including analysis of data and generating high quality test reports for GIS customers. The work may include operation of prototype fluid/thermal manufacturing processes, test equipment for electro-mechanical devices, and evaluation of printing system quality. GIS technicians work with experienced engineering staff to both develop and execute testing programs, and attention to detail and quality of work are most important, while prior exposure to a wide variety of different types of testing is beneficial. Interest and ability in diverse work assignments, and ability to learn on the job, are critical to the position.
Senior Research Program Administrator (9292BR)
This Senior Research Program Administrator position is responsible for grant and contract management as well as business operations management of the NanoPower Research Lab (NPRL) at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology. Directly supporting the NPRL Director, this position collaborates on overall strategic planning and is responsible for the financial forecasting of the NanoPower Research Lab, an internal recharge facility and the EPICenter Enterprise Center, along with any grants or contracts utilizing the above facilities. The Program Administrator also works closely with the NPRL PIs, Sponsored Programs Accounting and Sponsored Research Service personnel supporting program-level planning and goal setting. To support continued growth of the Research Lab and broaden its reach, this position identifies new funding opportunities in alignment with the Lab’s research thrusts and facilitates and guides faculty/staff on the development and preparation of sponsored research proposals, and contributes to writing sections of these proposals. In addition, with support from the RIT/GIS administrative, sponsored research, and finance teams, the Program Administrator is responsible for executing NPRL and EPICenter business operations in accordance with contract requirements and RIT policies and procedures.
Postdoctoral Research Associate (9322BR)
The primary responsibilities of this Postdoctoral Research Associate will include conducting scientific research, analyzing results, and reporting on findings associated with the recently awarded US Space Force Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI) being led by RIT. Duties include grant-specific scientific research, analyze results, develop reports based on findings, and the development of technical reports for sponsors, as well as publications and presentations. Duties will also include training students on equipment and discussing technical finding of their research.
Faculty Positions
Assistant Professor of Sustainability, Tenure Track Faculty (9186BR)
The successful applicant will demonstrate the potential to become a leading expert in sustainability research that is distinct from but complementary to research by our current core faculty. We particularly seek candidates whose research is collaborative and applies systems approaches (including but not limited to applied data science, industrial ecology, multi-criteria decision analysis, techno-economic analysis, and quantitative behavioral analysis) to addressing sustainability challenges in areas such as circular economy, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable materials management, food systems/organic waste, energy systems, and transportation systems..