Assistant Professor Soilless Plant Culture

TITLE: Assistant Professor of Soilless Plant Culture, 12 Month Faculty 

DEPARTMENT: School of Agriculture, Communities, and the Sciences 

REPORTS TO: Chair, School of Agriculture, Community and the Sciences 

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time  

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt 

JOB SUMMARY:  

This is a tenure-track, research, teaching, and extension position with Kentucky State University’s 1890 Land-Grant Program.  The faculty member is expected to conduct research in soilless culture and provide statewide extension support to train extension professionals about soilless plant culture with a particular focus on limited-resource and small farms, and low-income communities.   

The faculty member is expected to create research projects under the 1890 Research Capacity Funds and obtain competitive grant funding.  The research and extension focus should be on soilless plant production for use for food, fiber, medicinal, and/or ornamental purposes using both indoor facilities and outdoor facilities.  Therefore, research and outreach activities should cover situations for both farms with limited financial abilities and with well-funded farms.   This research will investigate plant nutrient uptake, precision nutrient application, hydroponics and irrigation/fertigation systems, etc.  Another research goal will be to develop plant nutrients from naturally occurring substances such as manures, composts, other organic ingredients, minerals, etc.  The faculty member is expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present research results in professional conferences, participate in professional/trade/governmental meetings, serve on departmental, college, and university committees, and other related duties as assigned.   

The faculty member is expected to teach courses that are potentially undergraduate, graduate, online and in-class.  The courses will be selected by departmental committees and/or the Chair and/or the Dean of the College, and will reflect the qualifications of the faculty member and the needs of the College. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Develop a research program related to soilless plant culture involving vegetables, small fruits, ornamentals, and other food/fiber/medicinal plants.
• Establish and maintain a competitive research program on topics such as evaluation of alternative nutrient sources and substrates, water quality, and organic sources of nutrients for hydroponic production.
• Conduct research in alternative designs for soilless plant culture including engineering aspects of such designs.
• Conduct research in the facilities associated with soilless plant culture, such as indoor/closed facilities vs. high tunnels vs. greenhouses vs. outdoor protected 
• Conduct and publish research in the area of specialty. Deliver research presentations in professional conferences.
• Develop an Extension program related to agriculture and community development by using hydroponics as a vehicle for establishment of profitable agricultural businesses among low-income rural and urban populations.
• Pursue external funding to support nutrition and food safety education.
• Build cooperative working relationships with other research scientists, extension specialists, area educators, teaching faculty, staff; youth program educators; university administrators, federal partners, other universities,