Description

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position.

The primary purpose of this position is to develop and lead a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program in pedology, soil genesis and morphology, and soil landscape analysis. The incumbent will apply emerging technologies, AI, machine learning, and digital tools to advance the areas of soil mapping, soil classification, soil morphology, and other related areas. Other research areas include (but are not limited to) soil degradation; hydropedology; geospatial analysis; land-use change; soil mineralogy; remote sensing; soil conservation; soil erosion; subaqueous soils; pedotransfer functions; and big data.

The incumbent is expected to develop a rigorous and innovative externally funded research program in pedology. The soil pedologist will develop mutually beneficial collaborations with CSS, CAS faculty at branch experiment stations across the state, with other Colleges within the university, as well as outside. The incumbent in this position should be able to develop active collaborations nationally and internationally, to advise graduate and undergraduate students, to engage with stakeholders interested in Oregon soils, and to be involved in service to the department, university, and the broader scientific community. The incumbent will teach a course in Soil Morphology and Classification, and two additional courses (one introductory undergraduate course and one standalone graduate course) each year. The incumbent is also expected to serve as an investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project. CSS faculty are expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

65% Research

• Pursue scholarly research and publication in pedology.
• Maintain an externally funded research program that adheres to OSU’s requirements for research integrity, compliance, and safety.
• Research is expected to lead to scholarly outcomes, including refereed journal articles, oral and poster presentations, abstracts, and proceedings of professional meetings.
• Supervise research staff, graduate research assistants, and/or student employees, as needed.
• Mentor graduate student or undergraduate student researchers who contribute to research accomplishments, including those for which you serve as a major professor or a committee member.
• Serve as an investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.
• Share findings with and cooperate with other research scientists and stakeholders in Oregon and at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

30% Teaching

• Teach existing on-campus and Ecampus versions of courses and develop high quality undergraduate and graduate courses, as needed. Teaching duties will include 3 courses each year, including Soil Morphology and Classification, a second course to be decided based on departmental needs, and the third based on employee’s expertise.
• Teaching activities include classroom instruction, course and curriculum development, and interacting with students in more informal settings.
• Supervise graduate teaching assistants, as needed.

5% Service

• Activities in support of the Department and the University, and the Profession (e.g. peer-review activities, professional society leadership roles).
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion, including efforts promoting equitable outcomes among learners of diverse and underrepresented identity groups.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Soil Science or a closely related field. Candidates must have successfully defended and obtained their Ph.D. prior to appointment.
• Experience in pedology, soil genesis, soil classification, soil morphology and/or soil-landscape relationships
• Teaching or teaching assistant experience in a professional setting
• The ability to work as a team member with other professionals and diverse audiences, and/or experience collaborating with partners outside academia.
• A publication record of research articles addressing soil science in peer-reviewed journals.
• A clearly articulated plan for raising extramural funds to support research, and evidence for success in raising such funds commensurate with career stage.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Evidence of efforts to promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in an educational environment.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A resume/CV; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
3) Statement of Research (1 page minimum)
4) Statement of Teaching (1 page minimum)

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact:
Manoj Shukla
Manoj.shukla@oregonstate.edu