Assistant Professor – Soil Fertility Scientist

Posting Number F2024P

Working Title Assistant Professor – Soil Fertility Scientist

Department CAES-Crop & Soil Sciences

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences resides in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which has teaching, research, and outreach programs at three campuses across the state: Athens, Griffin and Tifton. The department has teaching, research, and extension faculty at all three locations which conduct basic and applied research that is important to clientele in the state of Georgia and that adds to the body of knowledge basic to agricultural production and environmental management. The Department has faculty with expertise that can be grouped into three general areas: Cultivar Development, Genetics, and Biotechnology; Crop Management, Physiology, and Weed Management; and Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management.

The UGA Tifton Campus which includes The Coastal Plain Experiment Station is located in south central Georgia, approximately 65 miles north of the Georgia-Florida state line and is representative of much of Georgia’s southern half, as well as the southern coastal plain that runs through 9 southeastern states. More than 75 scientists affiliated with UGA (80%) and USDA (20%) are based on the Tifton Campus and work along with more than 375 support personnel to conduct world class research, teaching and extension programs. Tifton, named one of the “100 Best Small Communities in America” and nicknamed “The Friendly City,” has a population of 17,000 with 23,000 living in the surrounding county, and a rich agricultural heritage. The presence of a regional medical facility, additional undergraduate university programs, numerous light industries, as well as public and private K-12 school systems combine to give Tifton the reputation of having one of the highest concentrations of advanced degree holding residents south of Atlanta. Given its location and prevalence of major thoroughfares (e.g., I-75, US 41, US 82, US 319, etc.), Tifton is a major crossroads and a hub for the agricultural industry in the southern coastal plain.

College/Unit/Department website https://cropsoil.uga.edu/

Posting Type External

Retirement Plan

Employment Type Employee

Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible

Underutilization

Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience

Anticipated Start Date 10/01/2024

Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)

Job Posting Date 07/16/2024

Job Closing Date

Open until filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by August 30, 2024. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Materials to be uploaded include (1) Letter of application; (2) Curriculum vitae; (3) Unofficial transcripts; (4) Statement of Extension philosophy (5) Statement of research vision, and (6) Names and Contact Information of three professional references. Inquiries about this position should be directed to Dr. Cristiane Pilon, Chair of the Search Committee, at cpilon@uga.edu.

Location of Vacancy Tifton Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title Assistant Professor

FLSA

Faculty Rank Assistant Professor

Contract Type Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, or a closely related field.

Position Summary

Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist in Soil Fertility. This position is a 9 (+2)-month, tenure-track position with 75% Extension, 20% research and 5% service in the University of Georgia’s Department of Crop and Soil Science. The position will be located with UGA at the Tifton Campus. The successful candidate will coordinate a contemporary program in soil fertility for row crops, such as peanut, cotton, corn, soybean, and small grain, focused on the development and delivery of timely educational programs to various clientele including county agents, growers, and industry representatives. The successful candidate will maintain an applied research program supported through extramural funding, publish research findings in appropriate peer-reviewed journals, and participate in graduate student education.

Additional Requirements

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification

The candidate will have completed research projects directly related to the fields of soil fertility, plant nutrition, and environmental interactions.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, secure extramural funding and publish research findings and outreach education materials.
• Working knowledge of applied agronomic principles including soil fertility, plant nutrition, crop growth, and harvest management.
• Knowledge of fertilizer recommendations for field peanut, cotton, corn, soybean and small grain.
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to function independently and with commodity-oriented teams of extension and research scientists.
• Competent computer skills related to data analyses and information delivery technologies.

Physical Demands

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in developing extension and research programs for soil fertilizer management and recommendations in row crop areas.
• Provide assistance to county extension agents through demonstrations, in-service-trainings, meetings, county visits, remote and on-site trouble-shooting and telephone consultations as well as coordinate educational outreach programs to assist various state and federal agencies.
• Develop and fund field-oriented applied soil fertility demonstration programs on various row crops relevant to Georgia as well as applied research programs to resolve soil fertility issues facing row crop producers in Georgia and provide timely, wholistic information on fertilizer management in row crop systems.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with UGA commodity teams, agri-business, commodity and livestock associations, personnel with the USDA-ARS, and government agency representatives.
• The individual will be expected to develop a nationally/internationally prominent program, attract extramural funding, publish peer-reviewed journal articles, extension publications, and popular press articles, and participate in graduate student training.

Percentage Of Time 100

Read Full Description