Assistant Or Associate Professor Of Horticulture - Crop Sciences

Assistant/Associate Professor of Horticulture

Department of Crop Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Crop Sciences integrates horticulture, plant genetics, biotechnology, business, data science, crop production, soil management and sustainability through a collaborative and results-oriented community of faculty and students. The Department is in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) which offers world-class laboratory, greenhouse, and field research facilities.

In addition, ACES is home to the Division of Nutritional Sciences (https://nutrsci.illinois.edu), the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (https://fshn.illinois.edu), and a key partner in the Center for Digital Agriculture (https://digitalag.illinois.edu/). The Department of Crop Sciences also houses the Sustainable Student Farm (https://ssf.cropsciences.illinois.edu), a facility on campus that grows and provides 40 different fruits and vegetables to University of Illinois' dining commons. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and supportive community of distinguished life scientists, computer scientists, social scientists, and engineers across the University of Illinois campus, where our internationally recognized faculty offer extensive research, education, and training opportunities in a diverse array of crops.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is in the heart of the Midwest, surrounded by one of the most productive agricultural ecosystems worldwide. The University campus is nestled within the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, which together offer a welcoming, diverse, and vibrant community.

The surrounding community features affordable and beautiful neighborhoods with high-quality schools, making the University of Illinois an ideal place to live and work. The campus is a recognized Agricultural Tech Hub and boasts rich cultural attractions, including the renowned Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, which attracts artists from around the world.

The Department of Crop Sciences is seeking to hire an outstanding scientist to conduct research that advances horticultural and/or specialty crop production in Illinois, with implications that extend regionally and globally. Example research topics include, but are not limited to, the development of sustainable local urban and periurban production systems, multiple-cropping and perennial production systems, methods to extend the growing season, production in controlled environments, optimizing fruit and vegetable nutritional quality, investigating the economic potential of new horticultural/orphan crops, and/or enhancing crop resilience to climate extremes and climate change.

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to use innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to conduct high-impact research that meet stakeholder needs. They will also have demonstrated interest and experience in scientific communication to students and stakeholders to contribute to both horticulture extension and education programs.

We seek candidates who will strengthen our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives and who will contribute to programs that seek to increase participation from traditionally underrepresented groups in agricultural research and STEAM. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

A Ph.D. in horticulture, plant sciences, or a related discipline is required. Post-doctoral experience leading an independent or team-based research program is desired.

Applicants should provide evidence of research, and scientific communication experience, including teaching, extension, and/or outreach. The successful applicant must also demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communications skills, the ability to collaborate, and the willingness to engage with the public in Illinois and worldwide. Candidates to be hired at the Associate Professor level must have a record that shows real promise of becoming a leader in research, teaching, and service, with a high demonstrated likelihood of sustaining contributions to the field and to the department.

This is a 9-month, 100%-time academic tenure-track position with the opportunity for summer appointment. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. The position is available as soon as possible after the closing date.

Please create your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload the following documents: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, concise research, scientific communication, and DEI statements (one-page maximum each), and contact information for three professional references. The scientific communication document can focus on teaching, extension, and/or outreach. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by the closing date of July 31, 2024. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, but all applications received by the close date will receive full consideration.

Late applications may be considered if the position has not yet been filled. For more information about this position, you may contact Dr. Jack Juvik, Search Committee Chair, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 W.

Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801. Telephone: (217) 333-1966, e-mail: juvik@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

More information on the Department of Crop Sciences is available at cropsciences.illinois.edu

Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (https://diversity.illinois.edu/). Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UIUC. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and nonacademic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1025389

Job Category: Faculty

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu