RISE Faculty Hiring Initiative

Announced by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin in 2024, the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative is a multifaceted effort focused on faculty hiring, research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration and student opportunity. It is designed to help address significant, complex challenges of particular importance to Wisconsin and the world. RISE hires are intended to build research excellence while expanding instructional and educational capacity and impact. In order to achieve these goals, there is a strong emphasis on collaboration within RISE.

In the spring of 2024, CALS solicited proposals from departments for RISE positions in RISE-AI and RISE-EARTH. These proposals were reviewed and grouped into thematic areas by CALS which will serve as the cornerstone of cluster hires within each area.

The RISE Initiative provides university funding for new positions that are matched with positions in the same RISE topic area funded through the college’s existing budget.

Learn more about the four search committees, organized by theme. PVLs for each theme, and profiles of faculty hired in each theme, will be added when available.

Interested in applying?

AI to Advance Life Sciences
Position Vacancy LIsting

AI to Enhance Agricultural and Natural Systems
Position Vacancy Listing

Furthering the Bioeconomy
Position Vacancy Listing

Mitigating Climate Impacts on Agroecosystems and Communities
Position Vacancy Listing

CALS RISE Themes

Theme 1: AI to Advance Life Sciences

Theme 2: AI to Enhance Agricultural and Natural Systems

Theme 3: Furthering the Bioeconomy

a weather station is seen in a field at UW–Madison’s Arlington Agricultural Research Station

Theme 4: Mitigating Climate Impacts on Agroecosystems and Communities

The RISE Initiative offers an significant opportunity for the college to expand multidisciplinary teams of experts in critical areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and health.

-Dean Glenda Gillaspy