The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State University (Clearinghouse) is an applied research center within the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). The Clearinghouse conducts applied research designed to improve the health and well-being of military service members, veterans, and their families. In 2025, the Clearinghouse was named a “Legacy Project” by Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Department of Agriculture (USDA). This designation reflects the Clearinghouse’s research expertise, development of new knowledge, and focus on solving “real world” problems, as well as the key role the Clearinghouse has played in the Department of Defense’s Military Family Readiness strategy.
The SSRI seeks to hire a new Clearinghouse Director (20% FTE time). The director will serve as part of the Clearinghouse’s executive team, which includes the Founder and Principal Scientist and the Associate Director. The executive team meets weekly and is responsible for the overall operations and fiscal management of the Clearinghouse.
The Director works with the executive team to ensure that all university and sponsored program regulations are adhered to. The Director is responsible for HR oversight and supervises the Associate Director and non-tenure line research faculty. In this role, the Director will provide input on research faculty’s scholarship to include helping them formulate research ideas, select appropriate methodological and data analytical strategies, and review and edit scholarly products, such as research papers, manuscripts, reports, book chapters, and the like. The Director will also help Clearinghouse faculty members develop their ability to secure external funding and develop increasingly independent lines of research inquiry. Lastly, the Director will assist faculty members in their advancement in rank via promotions.
A Ph.D. in a related social science discipline (psychology, human development and family studies, biobehavioral health, etc.) at the rank of associate professor/associate research professor or higher is required. Candidates for the Director position must have leadership experience, a demonstrated ability as an applied researcher; a track record of developing strong partnerships with funders, stakeholders, and community collaborators; a record of publications, and a history of obtaining external funding. It is preferred that candidates have experience in conducting research with military-connected individuals and families as well as experience with the OSVPR non-tenure line promotion process.
Interested candidates are invited to submit an email to SSRI’s Managing Director, Natahsha Baumgartner at ngg101@psu.edu and should attach the following materials: a letter of interest, CV, concise statements of research interests and leadership experience, and three selected (re)prints. The preferred start date for this position is November 9, 2026 to allow shadowing with the current Director, Dr. Keith Aronson, who will be retiring on 12/31/26.
You can learn more about the Clearinghouse at www.militaryfamilies.psu.edu.
Applications will be received immediately. Review of applicants will begin on October 16 and continue until a successful candidate is identified.