Assistant Professor Organic Agriculture

TITLE: Assistant Professor of Organic Agriculture

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

REPORTS TO: Chair, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

CLASSIFICATION: Faculty-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 40 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt 

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Assistant Professor of Organic Agriculture is a tenure track position having teaching, research, and extension responsibilities related to organic agriculture and renewable energy. Teaching responsibilities will support the baccalaureate in Agriculture, Food, and Agriculture Degree (AFE) and the Masters of Science in Environmental Studies (MES) degree programs in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR). Research and extension projects should address the needs of organic farmers in Kentucky and strongly cooperate with the Organic Association of Kentucky.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses including Organic Agriculture, Agriculture and Energy, Introduction to Environmental Studies, and related areas.
• Develop an integrated research program in organic production agriculture.
• Identify new potential crops and cropping systems for organic production by small and limited resource farmers in Kentucky and the surrounding region.
• Conduct experiments on stakeholder farms and/or experimental stations to determine the best organic production systems for high-value crops.
• Develop cropping systems for high tunnel production systems in Kentucky and the surrounding region. Develop research proposals, conduct research, analyze research results, and publish results in areas important to organic agriculture, bioenergy, and related areas.
• Share research-based results with stakeholders through extension programs.
• Supervise graduate and undergraduate students engaged in applied research projects. Serve on committees for university, stakeholder groups, and professional associations. Work with small and limited resource farmers and underserved communities.
• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Candidates should be interest in integrated farming systems involving plants and animals.
• Candidates must demonstrate the potential for collaborative, integrated, multi-disciplinary research, granting, publishing, and stakeholder involvement.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a record of excellence in research and teaching and the ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in the university setting;
• Ability to monitor or supervise laboratory research
• Ability to work under deadlines
• Will need a valid Driver’s License

     SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

• This position does have supervisory responsibility. 

 OTHER DUTIES: 

• Other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Ph.D. degree required in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science or related areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Must be able to travel (25% and/or as nee