Assistant or Associate Professor of Nematology

JOB SUMMARY:         

The UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology is seeking an Assistant or Associate Professor in Nematology. This is a nine-month (academic year) tenure-track (Assistant) or tenured (Associate) position in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The tenure home of this faculty position will be in the Department of Plant Pathology.

The successful candidate is expected to develop impactful research and instructional programming that supports the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Idea through leadership in basic and/or translational research. It is expected that this person will develop an independent, externally funded and internationally recognized research program in plant parasite nematology. The new faculty member will be expected to secure funding from competitive federal programs. The area of research is open and may include nematode biology, virulence mechanisms, epidemiology/predictive modeling/remote sensing, control target identification, host resistance, diagnostics, disease management, nematode ecology or other areas. Teaching will include participation in the department's introductory courses as well as advanced courses in topic areas of interest. We look forward to identifying an exceptional scientist and teacher who is poised to identify critical research needs, investigate 21st century opportunities and challenges, and build the capacity of others to do the same.

RESPONSIBILITIES:     

1. Develop an independent, externally funded and internationally recognized research program. The successful candidate will be expected to secure extramural funding. Research collaborations with other faculty in our department, and across campus, are encouraged.

2. Teach to students and stakeholders, commensurate with college expectations and consistent with the teaching loads of the department. Contribute to the department's mission through graduate student instruction and mentoring. Contribute research and instructional expertise to courses taught in the department. Mentor students and promote their development and success in a collaborative environment.

3. Contribute to outreach and service functions of the department, college, and campus communities.

4. Contribute to programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department, college, and university. Promote an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities.

INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

EDUCATION:  

Required

Terminal Degree

Ph.D. in Nematology, Plant Pathology, Biology, Computational Sciences, or related disciplines

QUALIFICATIONS:      

Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate (tenured) Professor candidates must have a strong foundation in the principles and concepts of plant pathology. Successful candidates will have a record of or demonstrate potential for:

i) Publications in peer reviewed journals

ii) Graduate student training/mentoring

iii) Teaching and curriculum development

iv) Extramural grant-writing

v) Contribution to the outreach and service functions of CALS

vi) Promoting an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities

Preference will be given to candidates who exhibit a successful record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrated ability to attract extramural funding, ability to work and communicate with diverse stakeholders, ability to bridge basic and applied research, and passion for collaborative work with a diverse array of faculty, staff, and students.

At the Associate level, the selected candidate's qualifications must be sufficient to meet the requirements for tenure in the Department of Plant Pathology, in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison by the position start date.

WORK TYPE:   

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

APPOINTMENT TYPE, DURATION:     

Ongoing/Renewable

ANTICIPATED BEGIN DATE:   

AUGUST 21, 2023

SALARY:          

Negotiable

ACADEMIC (9 months)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Applicants can find relevant information about the Department of Plant Pathology at www.plantpath.wisc.edu, and any questions regarding the position may be directed to the position search committee chair, Dr. Andrew Bent, afbent@wisc.edu. Applications are encouraged from citizens of any nation. Option to start prior to or after August 21, 2023.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the world's premier research universities and attracts a diverse body of outstanding faculty, staff and graduate students from around the world. State-of-the art research and teaching facilities are provided both in Madison and at multiple agricultural research stations throughout the state. The 963-acre campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison is a picturesque city with a strong economy and a vibrant cultural environment, and is consistently ranked among the top small U.S. cities in which to live.

In addition to extensive corn, soybean and forage crop production, Wisconsin is one of the top three states in the U.S. for production of potatoes, snap beans, cranberries, green peas, carrots and sweet corn. Plant parasitic nematodes damage all crops grown in Wisconsin and also figure prominently in statutes regulating the movement of plants for international trade. Staffing of this position is needed both to combat the current and future threats that nematodes pose to the state's agricultural industry and to retain core research and teaching expertise in nematology, which is one of the four core plant pathogen groups that plant pathology departments cover. Nematode pest problems in agriculture are significant and their management is uncertain in the face of climate change and reduced chemical control options. Novel research on the biology, ecology and/or epidemiology of nematode pests may include, for example, focus on high impact areas such as predictive modeling to forecast surges in pest populations, establishing species-specific damage thresholds for a number of important crops, identification of nematode virulence mechanisms and best targets to achieve nematode control, and using remote sensing and geostatistical analysis to map nematode populations in the field. Opportunities will also exist to contribute to a growing cross-departmental cohort of UW faculty with expertise in soil and microbial biology.

The UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environment for all students, faculty and staff. The Department of Plant Pathology embodies that culture.

HOW TO APPLY:         

Application Procedures:

Apply online at "Jobs at UW" (http://jobs.wisc.edu) under job number 265935. Applications must be received through UW Madison's online application system.

To begin the process, please click "Apply Now".

Applicants should upload the following information as a single PDF document:

1) Cover letter

2) Curriculum vitae

3) Name and contact information for three persons who can supply letters of reference

4) Two-page statement of research interests and future research plans

5) Two-page statement of teaching philosophy, approach, and experiences

6) One-page statement on how your scholarship, instructional activities, and mentoring align with the commitment of the Department of Plant Pathology to foster an inclusive and diverse academic community

Applicants should request that three letters of reference be sent to hr@russell.wisc.edu, where they will be used in confidence to the extent allowable by law. We advise applicants to notify potential letter-writers well in advance that letters should be sent prior to Oct. 26, 2022. Potential applicants concerned about the timing or confidentiality of their candidacy are encouraged to contact the search committee chair Andrew Bent at afbent@wisc.edu.

Applications received by October 26, 2022 will be assured full consideration; review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

CONTACT:      

Andrew Bent

afbent@wisc.edu

608-265-3034

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

OFFICIAL TITLE:          

Associate Professor(FA030) or Assistant Professor(FA040)

DEPARTMENT(S):       

A074800-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/PLANT PATHOLOGY

EMPLOYMENT CLASS:

Faculty

JOB NUMBER:

265935-FA

The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

APPLICATIONS OPEN:

SEP 23 2022 Central Daylight Time

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

OPEN UNTIL FILLED