Position Number: 120706 - Title: Open Rank - Functional Title: Assistant/Associate Professor - Category Status: 02-Faculty Non-Tenured, On Track - Applicant Search Category: Faculty - University Authorized FTE: 100 - Unit: AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation's legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation's capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Vaccine Protocol
The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMD, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University's vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment.
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track position of Assistant Professor with a 50% Extension, 40% Research, and 10% Teaching appointment. The tenure home is the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. The Department conducts research, extension activities and teaches curricula focusing on Plant Biology (Turfgrass Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Biology and Landscape Management), Agriculture Science and Technology (Horticulture, Agronomy) and Landscape Architecture.
The University of Maryland, College Park, MD, is a Land Grant institution with world-class research and Extension components located in suburban Washington, DC. The 1300-acre campus has outstanding research libraries and Metrorail access to national and international research institutions, government agency and non-governmental organization headquarters, and significant cultural landmarks. There are excellent opportunities for collaboration with across departments and colleges on campus. Further, proximity to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and Maryland's Biotechnology Corridor offers opportunities for interaction with a range of nearby agencies and research institutions including USDA, Smithsonian Institution, EPA, NPS, and NSF. The NSF-sponsored Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center associated with campus provides potential and resources for collaborative synthetic research integrating social and environmental science. Excellent field research, greenhouse and laboratory facilities are available; and access to nearby field sites is unparalleled due to our location near myriad juxtaposed land uses, as well as to the 6,600 acres USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and multiple University of Maryland Research and Education Centers located in different ecological provinces.
In addition, the Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility, located at the edge of campus, consists of 35 acres of land on USDA property. Approximately half of the research facility has an in-ground irrigation system. The facility possesses the capabilities to support nearly every aspect of turf research. The main office building contains a classroom, laboratory, conference room, and offices for faculty, graduate students, and support staff. Research support buildings include a pesticide storage building, a plant prep building and equipment storage building.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required:
- Ph.D. in a plant science, plant pathology, microbiology, or related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in plant disease etiology and epidemiology; traditional and molecular techniques used in plant pathology; fungal taxonomy; control strategies; and statistics.
- A demonstrated ability to publish original research in top tier peer-reviewed journals.
- Ability to work effectively as a team member and possession of excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferences:
Preferred:
- Expertise working with diseases of turfgrasses would receive greater consideration.
- Experience in writing grant proposals and strong leadership skills.
Additional Certifications:
POSITION DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Research:
Development of an internationally-recognized, extramurally-funded turfgrass pathology research program. This program should include both basic and applied research. Applied research should be directed towards identifying emerging turfgrass pathogen problems and developing integrated management practices to control turfgrass diseases.
Extension:
- Serving the Maryland turfgrass industry which is comprised of a diverse clientele including golf course superintendents, professional lawn care companies, athletic field managers, sod producers, industry representatives, and government agencies.
- Writing and updating Extension publications; presenting information at educational meetings; assisting in the coordination of existing and new educational events including an annual conference and biennial field day; developing training materials for pesticide recertification; and conducting in-service training for Extension educators.
- Playing an active advisory role in state turfgrass organizations to include the Maryland Turfgrass Council, Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Shore Associations of Golf Course Superintendents, Turfgrass Producers of Maryland, and Mid Atlantic Chapter of the Sports Turf Mangers Association.
Teaching:
- The individual selected will be expected to teach one undergraduate course biennially in either turfgrass pathology or pest management strategies for turfgrasses.
- The incumbent will be expected to recruit and mentor graduate students.
Additional Duties:
- Faculty members are expected to serve the professional community through review of publications and participation on competitive grant panels, in national and international professional meetings, and other activities.
- It is also expected that this individual will participate in other duties and committees as required by the department, college, and university; and interact with organizations representing their field in the state and region.
Additional Information:
Closing Date: Open Until Filled. For best consideration, apply by September 1, 2021.
Posting Date: 07/02/2021
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled Yes
Best Consideration Date 09/01/2021
Physical Demands
Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcript
- Reference Letter 1
- Reference Letter 2
- Reference Letter 3
- Optional Documents
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
1100 Chesapeake Bldg
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
USA
https://uhr.umd.edu / jobs@umd.edu / Phone: (+1) 301-405-7575