Open Rank Professor of Field Crops Extension Agronomy University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Crop Sciences
WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.
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Be a part of our story: The Department of Crop Sciences (https://cropsciences.illinois.edu) is a recognized global scientific leader in plant genetic improvement, crop production, plant protection, biometry, and environmental quality. Our research and teaching facilities include state-of-the art laboratory space for plant and soil research, newly renovated classrooms with advanced learning technologies, and over 1,500 acres of research plots on our three research and education centers. The Department of Crop Sciences plays a key role in national and international research initiatives in food and agricultural systems, environmental sustainability, bioenergy, biotechnology, integrated landscapes, and global climate change and future work force training.
The Department of Crop Sciences seeks an outstanding scientist for a Professor (open rank, Assistant/Associate/Full) of Agronomy position with an Extension/applied research and education emphasis on field-crop production. A core focus of this position is excellence in scientific communication, both to stakeholders and students. The incumbent in this position will develop and share timely, relevant agronomic management information to support field-crop producers in Illinois and the upper Midwest balance productivity, profitability and sustainability in their operations. The incumbent will also contribute to course instruction. The successful candidate will use innovative stakeholder engagement and communication methods (such as co-production, participatory research and extension, peer networks and learning communities, among others) to increase the practical relevance, inference space and reach of their applied research and Extension program.
Responsibilities:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in plant or crop sciences, agronomy, soil science, or a closely related field. Relevant experience (e.g., postdoctoral, PI) demonstrating leadership of independent and team-based research and scientific communication is required. The candidate should have the ability to develop and instruct undergraduate and graduate courses using innovative teaching methods. Evidence of engagement with stakeholders in outreach and research is highly desirable. The candidate must demonstrate excellent communication skills and an ability to engage professionally with a diverse population from industry, farmers, faculty, staff, and students.
About the University and College The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a student enrollment of more than 40,000 and nearly 2,000 faculty. It’s located approximately 120 miles south of Chicago in a vibrant and diverse community of 110,000 and is easy driving distance from St. Louis and Indianapolis. Our community offers the residential advantages of a medium-sized university city, excellent cultural opportunities, and a high quality of life.
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is recognized worldwide for its commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate programs, teaching, research, outreach, and international programs. We offer tremendous opportunities for students to achieve their goals and prepare for excellent careers. Our hands-on academic programs prepare our graduates for local, national, and global careers. Our research and education centers, located throughout the state, provide vital testing grounds where research can generate practical applications that benefits consumers, farmers, commodity groups, agricultural organizations, environmentalists, conservationists, government agencies, industry, and business. University of Illinois Extension connects the university to stakeholders, businesses, and communities statewide to help solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Our faculty and staff ae leaders in international engagement, addressing global challenges and impacting lives around the world.
Salary and Appointment: Competitive, based on qualifications and rank, 9-month academic year, tenure track, 60% extension and research/40% teaching.
Start Date: The anticipated starting date for the position is August 16, 2022.
Application: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by February 28, 2022 but applications will be accepted until a candidate for hire has been identified. To apply, please create a candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a brief cover letter, a CV, an extension statement or portfolio, research statement, a teaching statement, a statement describing the candidate’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and names/contact information for three professional references.
Additional Information: For additional information about the department, see https://cropsciences.illinois.edu. For information about the position, contact the search chair, D.K. Lee leedk@illinois.edu. For information regarding the application process, contact Linda Kemplin, kemplin@illinois.edu.
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The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
