Open Positions and Opportunities for Affiliation
The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS), will work with the director in the leadership of J-WAFS, participating in: the conception and development of J-WAFS’ programs and initiatives; long-range strategy, goal-setting, and planning; and financial management across a wide variety of funding sources and account types (various endowment accounts, gifts, and sponsored research), including advising on all financial decisions, ensuring compliance with MIT policies, and overseeing the annual budget process for a current annual budget of about 4 million dollars.
Eligibility
REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree; a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible management experience; excellent management skills, and demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and direct professional and technical staff; demonstrated success in managing fiscal, technology and human resources; excellent project management skills; excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills; ability to take supervisor’s instructions and execute them or take directions and formulate and execute related actions; ability to resolve issues quickly and make decisions; demonstrated ability to consistently, effectively, and tactfully communicate with people at many levels about academic, administrative, and technical topics; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships; and demonstrated understanding of the research process and its translation to societal impact. PREFERRED: Advanced degree; experience with performing research and/or administration of research projects; and knowledge of water and food systems and/or experience in water and food issues through industry, government, or public sector is very helpful.
J-WAFS is welcoming visiting scholars to join this Institute-wide research program at MIT. Visiting scholars are welcome for a semester, academic year, or full 12-month year, and have all the benefits of institutional affiliation with MIT along with work space (which may be shared) within J-WAFS offices. No salary, stipend, lab space, computers, or housing are provided; this is intended for professors on sabbatical or other researchers who have their salaries covered by a home institution or research grant.
Eligibility
Academic visiting scholars should have a PhD and several years or more of research experience. (This is not intended to be a post-doc position.) Visiting scholars from other professions (e.g., policy, journalism) with a master’s degree and sufficient professional experience may be considered. J-WAFS is interested in visiting scholars with interest and expertise across a range of areas related to the world’s water and food challenges. We are particularly interested in visiting scholars with areas of expertise that are complementary to MIT’s, such as agricultural field work, soil science, waste water management, agribusiness, nutrition, and policy. Visiting scholars are expected to have their own support, for instance a paid university sabbatical, or salary or research grant from a university, foundation, or government agency.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however those received by May 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester will receive first consideration. Note also that this opportunity is for visiting scholars with J-WAFS. Individuals interested in spending time in labs of PIs at MIT that J-WAFS supports would have to reach out directly to those professors.
Expectations and Requirements
Visiting scholars may conduct research, and are expected to interact with MIT faculty and students and to contribute to the water and food research community at MIT during their stay. Typical activities include offering research presentations or guest lectures in academic classes, conducting or participating in broader seminars and workshops, exploring future research collaborations, auditing classes, mentoring students, and other general scholarly interactions. Visitors receive MIT email addresses and have access to MIT libraries and MIT community events.
For International Scholars: J-WAFS visiting scholars must first apply to J-WAFS. J-WAFS will serve as liaison with the MIT International Scholars Office (ISchO) for accepted applicants. Visiting scholars must meet the following U.S. visa and MIT eligibility requirements:
- Financial support: US$35,000 minimum funding required per year, plus $5000 for each accompanying dependent. This amount is prorated for shorter visits.
- Health insurance: See Health Insurance for J-1 Visitors
For further information, visit MIT's International Scholars Office