Job Summary

The Agronomy Department of the College of Agriculture, Purdue University, seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Agroecology.  This is a full-time (9 month), tenure-track position with an appointment in research and teaching.  We are looking for candidates with strong quantitative skills to provide campus-wide leadership in addressing system-level knowledge gaps in: regenerative/sustainable agriculture, agriculture's role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and interactions between genetic traits, management, and the environment that impact agricultural resilience and sustainability. Disciplinary knowledge of ecology is required. We expect the candidate to build a nationally and internationally recognized research program at the nexus of soil, crop, ecological, geospatial, data, and/or computational sciences. The successful candidate will have foundational skills in manipulating large, spatio-temporal datasets and in measurement and monitoring techniques and technologies for ecosystem service quantification. Program products are expected to generate new knowledge in support of Extension efforts to develop and disseminate educational materials on agronomic aspects of natural capital markets (e.g., carbon markets) and, in collaboration with other disciplines, support decision-making on ecosystem service valuation at field-to-landscape scales.  Demonstrated experience or documentation illustrating potential and interest in working with diverse, multi-disciplinary teams is required.

The successful candidate should also have demonstrated capabilities in teaching and learning using modern modalities. Teaching responsibilities include an intermediate undergraduate and a graduate course on: advanced concepts and theory in agroecology, applications of ecological theory to agro-environmental systems, and/or using data-intensive approaches to assessment or monitoring of agro-ecological phenomenon linked to the practice of agriculture at-scale. Service expectations include participation in appropriate professional organizations and departmental/college/university committees.

The Department

The Agronomy Department is a diverse department of 30 faculty, 60 graduate students, and 160 undergraduate students (https://ag.purdue.edu/Agry/Pages/default.aspx). Purdue University offers excellent research facilities, including the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/acre/Pages/default.aspx), a state-wide network of Purdue Agriculture Centers (https://ag.purdue.edu/arge/pac/Pages/default.aspx), and Cooperative Extension Offices (https://extension.purdue.edu/) in most of our 92 counties. Faculty and staff of the department also have access to world-class high-performance clusters at Purdue to support research efforts (https://www.rcac.purdue.edu)

The College

The Agronomy 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. The College boasts 3 World Food Prize laureates and is ranked seventh in the US in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do.  The College has 11 academic departments and includes 285 faculty, 2791 undergraduate students, and 769 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/plan/Pages/default.aspx

Qualifications

Successful candidates must have a Ph.D. in Ecology, Agroecology, Ecophysiology, Agronomy, Soil or Crop Sciences or a closely related discipline; post-doctoral experience is preferred. Other areas of expertise may include but are not limited to statistics, computer/data sciences, climatology, bio-geochemical cycling, microbiology, biodiversity and soil health. We seek a candidate with a commitment to diversity and creating an inclusive, multi-cultural environment to educate and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills are essential. Previous teaching experience is desirable.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants must submit an application packet that includes: 1) an application cover letter, 2) a statement of research goals and objectives in this position (two pages maximum), 3) a statement of teaching philosophy (two pages maximum), 4) curriculum vitae that include a complete publication list, 5) a statement on how they will advance diversity and inclusion (two pages maximum, see details below), and 6) the names and contact information for at least three professional references. All materials must be combined into one pdf and submitted electronically. The application review will begin on February 7, 2022, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Questions may be directed to Melinda Smith (smit2732@purdue.edu). A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Purdue University's Department of Agronomy 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 is an ADVANCE institution – https://www.purdue.edu/advance-purdue/

EOE/AA

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