Faculty Position in Agricultural Ecosystem Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington

Faculty Position Announcement
Agricultural Ecosystem Sciences
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

POSITION: Assistant Professor in Agroclimatology and Ag-Systems Modeling

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a full time (12 month) tenure track position with an initial appointment of 75% research and 25% teaching.

Research: We seek an outstanding individual to lead the development of a collaborative research and teaching program in the field of agroclimatology and ag-systems modeling. The individual will have a thorough understanding of the impact of agroclimatic factors, landscape morphology, and their interaction with crop and soil processes necessary to synthesize knowledge in agricultural ecosystem science for building resiliency and sustainability of agricultural practices now and in the future. The candidate will have knowledge and experience in remote sensing and agroecosystem process modeling in order to develop a research program that explores water, mass and energy transfer processes at the land surface and in soils, limitations to crop growth at different scales and to evaluate different water and nutrient management strategies to adapt agricultural systems to current and future conditions. Examples of focus areas might include the role of conservation tillage, implementation of irrigation, and usage of KY Mesonet decision support tools. The candidate will explore ways of implementing remote sensing techniques and decision support tools to optimize nutrient and water use efficiency of crop systems at the landscape scale, thereby reducing their contribution to associated environmental problems. This position will complement ongoing research efforts in soil science, agronomy, crop ecology and plant breeding such that collaborative research is expected, and opportunities for collaboration would be immediate.

The successful candidate will publish in peer-reviewed journals, secure extramural research support and have a strong presence in graduate student research and training. The candidate is expected to seek extramural funding at the federal level (including but not limited to USDA-AFRI, NSF and NASA) as well as the state level through crop commodity groups. Advising of graduate students will emphasize multidisciplinary scientific approaches within the frame of the Integrated Pant & Soil Sciences graduate program.

Teaching: The appointee will develop an interdisciplinary graduate level course in agroclimatology and system modeling that reflects the trans-disciplinary nature of the Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences graduate program. Course topics could include soil and crop process modeling and their relevance to crop and water quality management as well as remote sensing. The appointee will participate in additional graduate and/or undergraduate level courses. Course assignments may include PLS 468G Soil Use and Management or teaching in the UK Core.

Service: The appointee will fill service roles for the department, college or university and pursue development within professional societies.

QUALIFICATIONS: A PhD in the field of agronomy and soil science or closely related disciplines with special emphasis on agroclimatology, soil-plant-water relations, remote sensing, and their implementation in agricultural system models, is required. A record of research publications and successful grantsmanship will be evaluated. Teaching experience is valued.

RANK AND SALARY: This is a full time tenure track position with competitive salary and benefits. The position will be filled at the Assistant Professor rank.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Applications will be accepted until October 10, 2014 or until a suitable applicant is selected. The position is available March 1, 2015. To apply for this position (50107498), a UK online application must be submitted at www.uky.edu/ukjobs then click custom job search and enter the requisition number (FE00007). The application should include: 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae including the names and contact information of three references, 3) university transcripts (scanned copies are acceptable for application review), 4) a description of your research interests related to the focus of the position using the prompt ‘If I could investigate any research question in the next five years I would focus on …’, and 5) a statement of your teaching interests, including a description of the steps you have taken to develop/improve your teaching. For questions concerning the application process, contact HR/ Employment (phone 858-257-9555 press 2) or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu. Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Todd Pfeiffer (Chair), Department of Plant & Soil Sciences (tpfeiffer@uky.edu; telephone 859-218-0709).

Applications and inquiries from women and minorities are particularly encouraged. The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications will be accepted without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The address of the College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment EEO Coordinator is room S-101, Agricultural Science Building, 500 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.