Assistant/ Associate Professor – Belowground Plant Ecology/ Root Microbial Interactions – Haines Family Professorship in Plant Biology
POSITION TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: Assistant or Associate faculty position in the area of Belowground Plant Ecology/ Root Microbial Interactions. This 9-month tenure-track position will be jointly appointed in the Departments of Plant Biology (Franklin College of Arts & Sciences) and Plant Pathology (College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences) at the University of Georgia (UGA), starting January 2019. The position will have available research funds from a Haines Family Professorship endowment. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent will address fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions in plant ecology with an emphasis on plant roots and their interactions with the soil environment, specific soil organisms, and/or the root microbiome. Field-based research should be integrated with other approaches (e.g. modeling, computational, molecular, genomic). The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a high-impact, externally funded research program in belowground plant ecology; mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or postdoctoral scholars across relevant disciplines; and teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses. QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have a PhD in Plant Biology, Plant Pathology, Ecology, or related field. Candidates to be considered for Associate Professor must have an established extramurally- funded research program. SALARY: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Jim Leebens-Mack, Chair of the Search Committee ([email protected]). All application materials must be submitted via the university’s faculty job portal at https://facultyjobs.uga.edu/postings/3265. Materials to be uploaded include: a) cover letter, b) resume/vitae, c) statement of research accomplishments and goals, d) statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy that relate to NSF-AAAS Vision and Change, e) 3 highest impact publications combined into 1 PDF, and f) names and e-mail addresses of four referees who will receive an online link for submitting letters of reference. Review of applications will begin on February 28, 2018, and continue until the position is filled. INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION: UGA, a Land/Sea Grant institution located 90 miles northeast of Atlanta, is ranked 16th among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 edition of America’s Best Colleges. The Departments of Plant Biology and Plant Pathology encompass a broad range of disciplines and have historical strengths in plant ecology, evolutionary biology and plantassociated microbiology. UGA offers a vibrant research environment with potential collaborations with faculty across the plant sciences (https://plantcenter.uga.edu/), the Odum School of Ecology, and the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, among others. Opportunities for off-campus interactions include the Savannah River Ecology Lab, the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab, the Sapelo Island Microbial Observatory, and several research farms and Research and Education Centers in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. Athens, GA, is consistently ranked highly for its quality of life and vibrant culture (https://www.visitathensga.com). UGA is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Institution. As such, we are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage women, minorities and other diverse candidates to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([email protected]). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.
