Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Science

Position Title:

Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Science

Campus:

Presque Isle

Department:

Math & Science - IMS

Location:

Presque Isle ME

Bargaining Unit:

AFUM

Salary Band/Wage Band:

n/a

Work Schedule:

Fiscal Year

Length:

Fiscal Year (12 Months)

Statement of the Job :

Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Science

The University of Maine Presque Isle is seeking a broadly-trained agricultural scientist for a 12-month tenure-track position as Associate/Assistant Professor of Agricultural Science. This faculty position also serves as the Dr. Robert Vinton Akeley Chair in Agricultural Science and Agribusiness. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated record of teaching and research in the broad areas of agronomy, crop science, agroecology, and other plant and agricultural science areas. The candidate should have the ability to lead and grow an exciting and innovative undergraduate academic program, build capacity within this program, and to further develop dynamic connections to support the needs of a rural, agricultural area.

The University of Maine Presque Isle recently established a B.S. in Agricultural Science and Agribusiness, which includes a range of courses in agricultural sciences along with several courses in agricultural management, marketing, and analysis. Our agricultural science facilities include 60 acres of agricultural land, updated agricultural teaching and research labs, and a 4-season greenhouse constructed in 2019. Through this endowed faculty line, our program is well positioned to enhance education, research, workforce development, and connections to our regional agricultural community. Our region is the center of agricultural production in Maine with an emphasis on potatoes, broccoli, and grains. There are active connections with industry, producers, trade organizations, cooperative extension, and the adjacent Aroostook Research Farm, which focuses on potato production.

Responsibilities include:

15-18 contact hours of teaching per year which may include traditional fall and spring offerings, in addition to summer field or research-based courses;

Advising; service to the department, university and community;

Collaboration with regional agricultural businesses and organizations.

Conduct basic and applied research utilizing laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field resources,

Secure external funding for their work

Involve undergraduate students in their projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Primary teaching responsibilities will include introductory and upper-level courses in agricultural science, which may include Introduction to Agricultural Sciences, as well as courses in plant and crop science, agricultural equipment and technology, integrated pest management, soil science, or other topics in area(s) of expertise, all depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant.

Advising agricultural students, and serving on 1-2 campus committees is expected. Research involving undergraduates is expected, and external funding, conference presentations and publications will be expected outcomes of this effort.

Working Conditions:

The position is located at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, but may occasionally require intra- or interstate travel with students or to conferences. Duties also will require lab work. Some overnight and weekend travel is expected. Distance delivery modalities may be assigned as determined necessary by the College dean.

Work Schedule: beginning as early as May 2022.

Work schedule will be variable based upon teaching schedule and research demands. Work beyond regular hours (which may include nights and weekends) may be necessary in order to meet the requirements of the position. The employee will establish regular office hours on campus, especially during semesters when teaching.

About the University :

For more than a century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been helping students find their path to great professional careers providing its 1,300 traditional and non-traditional students from all areas of the state, country, and world with life-changing opportunities in a caring, small- university environment.

Further information about the University of Maine at Presque Isle can be found at https: // www. umpi.edu/

For information about the University of Maine System's COVID-19 response and guidelines for employees, please visit https: // www. maine.edu/together/.

The university sits on 150 acres surrounded by the rolling hills and potato fields of northern Maine and the university strives to be the region's premier learning institution while helping to stimulate cultural and economic development in Aroostook County and the State of Maine. The university serves as an educational and cultural center for the area and its facilities are utilized for lectures, programs, concerts, dance performances, exhibits, and plays that benefit the entire region. The University is at the heart of the state's potato production and has existing collaborations with other university researchers and the local agricultural sector.

Learn more about what Aroostook County has to offer here.

Qualifications :

Required:

Ph.D. (or ABD) in a program with strong emphasis on agricultural sciences.

Demonstrated experience in teaching introductory and/or upper-level agricultural science courses

Effective oral and written communication skills, and ability to collaborate with the campus, local, and regional communities (academic and agricultural)

Demonstrated experience or ability to employ high impact teaching practices, multiple forms of formative and summative assessment, and technology that qualitatively improves the learning experience, including on-line teaching methods

Demonstrated ability to conduct research that engages undergraduates, can garner extramural funding, and advance existing and new regional agricultural practices

Demonstrated experience in use of agricultural technologies, which may include greenhouse management, use of farm equipment and technologies, and field and laboratory approaches to agricultural research

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Preferred:

3+ years teaching at the collegiate level (may include as a graduate assistant)

3+ years in an agricultural educational, leadership, or research role in higher education or in the agricultural sector

Demonstrated leadership experience

Experience with FFA, as a student, mentor, or collaborator

Candidate interested in supporting student clubs related to agriculture

Experience with potato cropping systems or other northern-tier crops

Other Information :

Salary and rank will be commensurate with education and work experience. The university offers an excellent fringe-benefits package, including a 10% employer contribution to the University of Maine System retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The University of Maine System is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America's Well Workplace Award and offers wellness programs.

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

Acover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position with specific reference to the qualifications outlined above

A resume/curriculum vitae

Contact information for three professional references

A teaching statement

A research statement that outlines a plan for engaging undergraduates and may provide opportunities for modest extramural funding

Official transcripts

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self- identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the university.

Search Timeline is as follows:

Review of applications to begin: ASAP

Screening interviews to begin no earlier than: November 30, 2022

On-site interviews to begin no earlier than: December 5, 2022

Tentative start date: between June 1, 2023

For questions about the search, please contact Melissa DeMerchant, Human Resources Partner by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 207-768-9462.

Appropriate background checks are required.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Office of Equal Opportunity, University of Maine, 101 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Required Documents:

Cover Letter, References, Research Prospectus, Resume/CV, Teaching Philosophy, Transcripts