Assistant Professor, Managed Turfgrass Systems
Term: 9 month (academic year) 20% Research, 60% Teaching, 20% Extension
Type: Tenure - track
Reports to: Department Head
College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Campus Location: Saint Paul Campus, University of Minnesota
College Overview
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.
At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Department Overview
As a diversified research-oriented organization, the Department of Horticultural Science also has strong commitments to education for on-campus students and the public. Faculty in the department are nationally and internationally recognized for conducting research in areas including Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Growth and Development, Sustainable Horticulture, and Horticultural Marketing. As a community, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive culture that promotes professional excellence in horticultural science and actively pursue opportunities to increase our adoption of inclusive behaviors. The department co-hosts undergraduate degrees in Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems as well as graduate degree programs in Applied Plant Science and Plant & Microbial Biology. Faculty can also advise graduate students in Conservation Sciences, Applied Economics, and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
The Turfgrass Research, Outreach and Education Center (TROE) on the campus of the University of Minnesota includes research greens, turfgrass research plots and turfgrass breeding nurseries, as well as an automated rain-out shelter used for research on turfgrass water-use and drought tolerance. Turfgrass researchers have access to greenhouse space, growth chambers, and additional field research plots on the St. Paul campus.
The Department has a strong association with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Horticultural Research Center and the Magnusson Farm where much of the research on turf grass development is done. The University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Centers partner with many faculty to have research conducted across the state.
Position Overview
The Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota seeks applicants for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position in Turfgrass Science. This is a 9-month (academic year), tenure-track faculty position with research, teaching, and service responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Research 20%: The successful candidate will continue an established turfgrass program at the University of Minnesota, supervise and set directions and objectives for continued plant physiology of turfgrass. The goal of the position is to use appropriate technologies to reduce inputs while increasing the durability of sport, lawn, and/or no/low mow turf. The incumbent is expected to establish a collaborative and productive interdisciplinary research program with the turfgrass breeding & genetics program and other researchers at the University of Minnesota, in addition to collaborations with national and international colleagues. The successful candidate will mentor undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scientists and research technicians. The individual will be expected to publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline and to compete successfully for external funding to support their scholarly programs.
Teaching (60%) The individual in this position will be expected to teach at least 7 credits a year. Courses included are 1 to 2 turfgrass courses and one large enrollment course that would serve departmental majors in compliance with the College's policy on teaching workload in the Department of Horticultural Science. Additionally, there is an expectation of participation in professional development opportunities supporting teaching and advising.
This position is expected to provide academic mentoring for undergraduate and advising graduate students in Horticultural Science and will also contribute to the department/college/university through service on assigned committees.
Extension (20%): Overall, the incumbent would provide leadership for statewide turfgrass science extension targeting multiple audiences including professional turfgrass managers, grass seed and sod producers, and residents. There is an explicit expectation to work in close collaboration with the Extension Educator in Turfgrass.
Required Qualifications:
● Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Science, Plant Physiology or related discipline
● Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate and/or graduate teaching and/or advising
● Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication skills working with a spectrum of audiences across a number of platforms
● Ability to travel to multiple locations sometimes overnight for field research and/or Extension programming
● Record of publication in peer-reviewed academic journals
● Evidence of ability to pursue and obtain competitive funding
● Experience with formal classroom teaching
Preferred Qualifications:
● Demonstrated research productivity in turfgrass science.
● Evidence of transdisciplinary grant writing success and collaboration.
● Evidence of success in applying contemporary approaches to problem-solving in turfgrass systems. ● Implementation of innovative and inclusive teaching pedagogy via multiple platforms ● Demonstrated experience in and an ongoing commitment to working effectively with and across diverse communities and identities.
Special/Physical Requirements:
This position requires frequent travel among worksites including travel to offsite locations throughout Minnesota. Occasional national and international travel will also be required. This position may entail working outside under varying climatic conditions and may require lifting up to 50 pounds, operating farm/field equipment, applying fertilizers/pesticides/fungicides, as well as bending/kneeling/standing/etc.
as the research, teaching, and extension program dictates.
Salary/Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary will be supplemented with 9 weeks of summer salary for the first three (3) years of the appointment to help establish a research and teaching program. Thereafter, a 9-month salary can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants.
The University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
● Competitive wages, paid holidays
● Low cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
● Health care and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts
● Excellent retirement plans with generous employer contribution and immediate vesting
● Employer paid disability and life insurance
● Wellbeing program with reduced insurance premiums
● Tuition reimbursement opportunities covering 75% of eligible tuition
● Opportunities for Sabbaticals and other professional leaves
● Opportunities for growth and promotion
● Employee Assistance Program
For more information regarding benefits, see Summary of Benefits.
Required application materials:
● A cover letter clearly indicating how the applicant addresses the required and preferred qualifications
● Curriculum Vitae
● 1 - 2 page Research Statement*
● 1 - 2 page Teaching Statement*
● 1 - 2 page Extension Statement*
o [both research and teaching statements should highlight accomplishments, experience and interests]
● Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references that will be contacted if you are deemed a final candidate
For questions regarding this position, please contact Professor Thomas Michaels (michaels@umn.edu) Submit applications by May 15, 2024
*Statements should include information regarding your approach and work related to fostering diversity and inclusiveness.
Applicants are required to submit a diversity statement for this position. CFANS values and is actively invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout all of our academic programs. Please review the CFANS definition of diversity and the DEI strategic plan for the college.
Please provide a diversity statement that details your professional experiences in DEI. Experiences may include:
● Working with diverse communities or local organizations
● Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the curriculum
● Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into your research
● Your own educational experiences, such as courses or workshops you have participated in and how you anticipate incorporating what you have learned in your future work
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.
Employer Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to report complete vaccination against COVID-19 or submit documentation requesting a medical or religious exemption on their first day of employment. To learn more, please visit the University's COVID-19 Response webpage.