Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Extension Plant Pathologist

Description

Position: 12-month tenure-track, Assistant Professor in the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department, with particular emphasis on diagnosing and managing diseases of ornamental plants, nursery plants, and turf in commercial and residential, natural, or managed systems.

Location: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Central District Extension Office, 5201 Marchant Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. The position is located at the Soil, Plant, and Pest Center in Nashville, TN providing a unique location in close proximity to ornamental nurseries and a large urban community.

Duties and responsibilities: 100% Extension. The recruited individual is expected to develop and deliver a vibrant, nationally recognized innovative Extension education and applied research program focused on diseases affecting ornamental plants, nursery plants, and turf. The individual is expected to collaborate with colleagues at institutes locally (i.e. University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, etc.), regionally, and nationally. The individual will provide technical expertise on integrated pest management (IPM), develop an educational program using traditional and innovative outreach tools for diverse audiences (e.g., Extension agents and specialists, producers, regional and state leaders, Master Gardeners, and youth), and provide leadership in developing an Extension and outreach program that meets the needs of all eligible clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status. Additional Extension duties include monitoring for new and emerging plant diseases in Tennessee, assisting the Soil, Plant, and Pest Center in plant disease identification and diagnostics, which can vary considerably from year to year depending on demands, and training of graduate students. The candidate is expected to obtain extramural funding to support their program. The candidate also is expected to serve on committees or provide other forms of service to the department, university, and professional societies or organizations. This is an exciting opportunity to build an Extension education program based on applied research.

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology provides leadership in the generation and dissemination of knowledge on plant diseases, insect-vectored animal diseases, related arthropods and insect pests, and agricultural bioinformatics that affect the quality of life of all Tennesseans. Our Department is the only academic unit in Tennessee with the mission and responsibility to provide basic and applied information on questions of plant diseases and insect-related problems affecting plants, animals, and humans. Successful fulfillment of the mission requires a diverse complement of disciplinary expertise working in a highly integrated environment of teaching, research, Extension, and outreach. Departmental programs focus primarily on solving problems within Tennessee, yet draw on information generated worldwide and, in turn, provide information that is useful throughout the world. Our department strives to provide innovative, inclusive, high quality graduate education in the fields of entomology, plant pathology, nematology, and bioinformatics.

The ultimate goal of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is to excel in fulfilling the land-grant mission that sets it apart from other institutions within Tennessee and across the nation. UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth and communities to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels. We work closely with members of our local community to discover, educate, and support a variety of initiatives that benefit agriculture, homes and other structures, and the environment. Our specialists closely collaborate with ecologists, toxicologists, soil scientists, plant geneticists, horticulturists, agronomists, veterinarians, health and pest management professionals, Extension personnel, and non-governmental and governmental organizational representatives to provide research-based solutions to our clientele. Our specialists use their expertise in alternative methods of disease and insect management to help meet the need for healthy homes, landscapes and healthful food production without or with reduced use of pesticides.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in plant pathology or a closely related field, with depth in a discipline and the ability to address the breadth of disease ecology and management in ornamental plants, nursery plants, or turf. Will need to have obtained Ph.D. before hiring.
• Demonstrated skills in diverse communication and dissemination strategies (e.g., traditional written and oral communication, electronic publications, web, social media), data management, and technical writing.
• Ability and willingness to meet demanding travel requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status.

Preferred or Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively to a diverse audience including faculty, stakeholder groups, and other clientele.
• Demonstrated knowledge of diseases affecting ornamental plants, nursery plants, and turf, as well as expertise with diverse communication and dissemination strategies (e.g., electronic publications, web, social media).
• Demonstrated knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to IPM and plant disease management.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly accomplishments in research, Extension, and/or teaching commensurate with career level.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding.
• Evidence of scholarship through scientific presentations and publications.
• Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University; experience working with, teaching or mentoring diverse students or diverse clientele and the ability to contribute to fostering diversity within UTIA.

Application Instructions

Interested individuals should submit an electronic package in interfolio consisting of a (1) letter of application, (2) statement of Extension, research, and teaching interests and plans, (3) curriculum vitae, (4) official transcripts, (5) statement addressing the applicant’s ability to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and (6) names and contact information of at least three references. An applicants guide to interfolio can be found here: https://product-help.interfolio.com/m/39937/l/606208-job-applicant-s-guide-to-interfolio-faculty-search . For additional information contact chair of the search committee, Heather Kelly (youngkelly@utk.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.