Utah State University’s Department of Plants, Soils and Climate seeks applications for a full-time 9 month tenure-track faculty position as a Controlled-environment agriculture Assistant Professor. The successful applicant of this research (55%), teaching (40%), and service (5%) position will develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program that integrates basic and applied science to develop and optimize controlled environment production systems for high value crops. Teaching is a vital part of this position, and the successful applicant will teach courses in whole-plant physiology and production of high value vegetables.

Areas of emphasis could include the development of technologies and cultural practices that facilitate water recycling and improve water use efficiency, increases in efficiency of production or improvements in product quality, optimization of mineral nutrition using hydroponics and soilless substrates, optimization of production with CO₂ enrichment, energy efficient sources for heating and cooling, advanced lighting technologies, and the identification and selection of novel high-value crops with relevance to Utah producers. This position offers the opportunity to cooperate with our 40-year legacy of NASA-funded research on food production for deep space missions, which has direct implications for closed-system food production on Earth.

Estimated start date is August 1, 2023. Reviews will begin Feb. 28, 2023 but applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline and to compete successfully for external funding to support their scholarly programs.
• develop and teach undergraduate courses in whole-plant physiology and vegetable crops and potentially a graduate course in their field of expertise.
• mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• collaborate with a wide range of scientists and stakeholders. This type of research is important to multiple disciplines, including growers, entomologists, pathologists, geneticists and breeders.
• contribute to the department/college/university through service on committees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in plant science, botany, or related discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of controlled-environment management practices for diverse plants
• Experience in effective classroom and/or on-line teaching
• Record of publication in peer-reviewed academic journals
• Evidence of ability to pursue and obtain competitive funding

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in plant research using controlled environments
• Demonstrated communication skills across diverse audiences
• Implementation of innovative and inclusive teaching
• Evidence of effective mentoring of students and staff
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working across diverse communities and identities

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. 3-5 professional references with contact information
3. Documents below to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
   • Cover Letter
   • 1-2 page Research statement - Research statements should include information regarding your approach and work related to fostering diversity and inclusiveness.
   • 1-2 page Teaching statement - Teaching statements should include information regarding your approach and work related to fostering diversity and inclusiveness.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 11/2022