Assistant Professor, Cropping Systems and Agricultural Internet-of-Things (IoT)

Position: This tenure-track Assistant Professor (9-month) position is a research and teaching appointment shared between the Agronomy Department (75%) in the College of Agriculture and either of the Schools of Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering (25%) in the College of Engineering. The person in this position is expected to conduct cropping systems-based research, integrating plant physiology and production in a field research program that includes Ag-IoT technologies (e.g., sensors, automated data flow, embedded computing, data analytics, networking) to solve on-the-ground agricultural production issues. Candidates should have expertise in cropping systems, plant physiology, and agricultural field research and be able to work at the intersection of Ag-IoT and intelligent onboard systems with engineering experts in Ag-IoT. The successful candidate will join a 31-member faculty in the Agronomy Department housed in Lilly Hall on the main campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. The faculty member will be expected to collaborate across diverse and inclusive interdisciplinary teams.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Crop Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or other related fields. Candidates with strong plant physiology, cropping systems and field research backgrounds and demonstrated Ag-IoT experience are desired. Candidates should be able to integrate innovative digital and precision farming technologies (e.g., autonomous and continuous systems, sensing, modeling, control, etc.) and approaches to climate-smart production systems to create increased productivity, enhanced resiliency, and reduced environmental impacts. Excellent teaching, communication, teamwork, leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving skills are required. The individual will support undergraduate and graduate programs by providing leadership in developing and delivering programs of study related to the improvement of cropping systems through the use of Ag-IoT.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate must develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in cropping systems improvement that incorporates Ag-IoT. They will establish an externally funded research program from sources including federal and state agencies and industry, teach graduate and undergraduate courses, function as an active departmental and university faculty member, and engage in national and international professional activities. Potential exists for teaching distance courses. The candidate will engage with local stakeholders to help improve their working knowledge of Ag-IoT applications in crop production.

About Us: The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world's leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences, and ranked eighth globally in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. The college is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and Extension), international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and excellence in all we do. The college has 11 academic departments and includes 302 faculty, 2823 undergraduate students, and 769 graduate students. The college's current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html. Interdisciplinary and successful collaborations between faculty of the College of Agriculture and faculty of the College of Engineering are established and strongly  encouraged by both colleges.

Appointment and Salary: Assistant Professor (9-month; tenure-track). Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Application: Candidates must upload their application at: https://careers.purdue.edu.

Application materials must include:

1. Cover letter that speaks to the candidate's qualifications for and interests in the position as described herein with contact information C.V. Diversity and inclusion statement explaining how the candidate's teaching, scholarship, and mentoring, has helped or will help to foster and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Department and the College Statement of research interests and future research direction Teaching statement A list of three professional references with contact information.

Purdue University's Agronomy Department is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in a separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. Purdue University, the College of Agriculture, and the Agronomy Department are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.

Screening of applicants will begin on Jan. 30, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, contact Melinda Smith ( smit2732@purdue.edu.)

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply.