Assistant/Associate Professor - Organic Horticulture Production

Posting Details

Posting Number F0873P Working Title Assistant/Associate Professor - Organic Horticulture Production Department CAES-Horticulture About the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia ( UGA ), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). UGA is currently ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ( CAES ) is among the best and most established U.S. colleges of agriculture. In its classrooms, its Agricultural Experiment Stations, and its statewide network of UGA Cooperative Extension offices, the faculty, and staff of CAES are dedicated to discovering, teaching, and delivering the science required for healthy living to flourish in Georgia. Agricultural and environmental sciences are only as important as the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the water and air around you. To improve the quality and guard the safety of life’s necessities, CAES has gathered world-renowned scientists and exceptional students.

The Department of Horticulture at UGA has 26 faculty members located at three campuses (Athens, Griffin, Tifton) who are leaders in many aspects of plant science including breeding, production, physiology, sustainability, and consumers’ perception. Successful partnerships are ongoing with other departments and programs such as agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, electrical engineering, entomology, plant pathology, impact evaluation, and management information systems. By joining the existing research programs and collaborations, the new faculty member can quickly develop impactful teaching and research programs in this discipline. The candidate will support the overall mission of the Department of Horticulture at UGA to improve profitable and sustainable plant production and proactively address the transformational changes facing the horticultural industry to improve the lives, livelihoods, health, and wellbeing of society in Georgia and around the globe.

College/Unit/Department website https://hort.caes.uga.edu/ Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Underutilization Minorities & Females Advertised Salary Anticipated Start Date 09/01/2021 Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings) Job Posting Date 04/07/2021 Job Closing Date Open until filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants whose applications are received by May 31, 2021 are guaranteed consideration, but the position will remain open until filled. For more information, contact Professor David Berle at dberle@uga.edu. Applicants should submit the following documentation (1) a letter of application, (2) curriculum vita, (3) unofficial transcripts (4) a list of references with contact information including email address, (5) a 1 to 2-page statement of research accomplishments and future goals, and (6) a 1 to 2-page statement of instruction philosophy, accomplishments and future goals.

Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).


Position Details

Classification Title Open Rank FLSA Faculty Rank Open Rank (Tenure Track) Contract Type Academic (9 mo.) Tenure Status Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications

Terminal degree appropriate for the discipline.

Position Summary

This is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position in organic horticulture production with research (60%) and teaching (40%) responsibilities. The successful applicant will develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program in the area of organic horticulture cropping systems. Examples of expertise sought could include (but would not be limited to) plant-soil microbe/microbiome interactions, nutrient management in organic systems, ecosystem services, innovative methods for organic pest management, and experience working with sustainable horticulture production systems. The candidate will study the responses of fruits and vegetables grown under organic cropping systems with the goal of ultimately improving crop and soil quality, and sustainability and/or profitability of edible crops.

The position will mentor undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scientists, and research technicians and will also develop and teach courses at the graduate and/or undergraduate level in the area of organic production such as HORT 3010 – Introduction to Vegetable Crops, HORT 4125/6125 – Organic Agricultural Systems, HORT 3300E – Organic Gardening, HORT 4030S/6030S – Sustainable Community Food Production. The role will be expected to contribute to the department by service on assigned committees, publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline, and to compete successfully for external funding to support their program. The successful candidate will be expected to develop relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues within and outside the University of Georgia to develop a robust multidisciplinary research program.

Additional Requirements

A doctoral degree in Horticulture, Plant or Crop Science, or related discipline is required. Excellent written and oral communication skills are also required.

To be considered at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must have at least 5 full years in rank at the Assistant Professor level before the start date. Appointment, Promotion, & Tenure of Academic Rank Faculty can be found here: https://provost.uga.edu/faculty-affairs/UGA_Guidelines_for_APT_approved_2_2020.pdf Discipline-specific criteria and procedures for promotion and tenure can be found at: https://provost.uga.edu/resources/documents/Horticulture2015.pdf

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

Successful candidates should have a strong background in horticultural fruit and vegetable production in organic agricultural systems. A demonstrated ability to procure grants and publish in refereed journals is desired.

Physical Demands Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.



Duties/Responsibilities

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/CV
3. Unofficial Transcripts
4. List of References with Contact Information
5. Research Portfolio/Philosophy
6. Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy

Optional Documents