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Assistant Professor of Irrigation/Water Resources Engineering

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Position description

Assistant Professor – Irrigation/Water Resources Engineer
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
University of California, Davis

TITLE
Assistant Professor and Assistant Irrigation Engineer in the Agricultural Experiment Station (9-month tenure track position). The candidate will hold an appointment in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE, Colleges of Engineering and of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) at the University of California, Davis. The position is for an academic year (9-month) tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, which includes the expectation that the appointee will conduct mission-oriented research and outreach of relevance to the California Agricultural Experiment Station in addition to regular research, teaching, and service responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research: This position will address water application technology, water-use efficiency and development of alternative water supplies for irrigated agriculture that ultimately consider its sustainability in the face of increasing environmental impacts and water shortages. This position will consider at a holistic, or systems modeling level, developing ‘reclaimed’ or ‘recycled’ waters for irrigation, precision application of water for crop production, the associated impacts on ‘downstream’ (i.e. soil-water, groundwater and other surface waters) water quality and associated energy usage, environmental implications, and efficient resource utilization. The successful candidate is expected to establish a competitively-funded research program including collaborative work with faculty and CE Specialists in the departments of BAE, Land, Air & Water resources (LAWR) and Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE). The engineer will develop partnerships with growers, equipment companies, irrigation districts, and relevant government agencies. An emphasis on development of enhanced irrigation technologies directed at efficient water application as well as knowledge of the processes associated with development of alternative water supplies (e.g. wastewater treatment technologies) is desired. That is, the candidate should have a strong background in irrigation and wastewater engineering, agricultural production, instrumentation and mathematical modeling and a demonstrated interest in conducting fundamental research that will enhance California agriculture in the face of persistent drought. These efforts will complement and expand the current research activities in the Colleges of Engineering and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Interdisciplinary linkages are possible with engineering, agricultural, and life science faculty across the Davis campus and other UC campuses, as well as with scientists in nearby industrial research laboratories and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, a network of field stations, and with county-based extension personnel. This position will support relevant UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), College of Engineering (CoE) and UC Davis strategic initiatives.

Teaching: The candidate shall contribute to the undergraduate program through revision of engineering courses in irrigation engineering and fluid mechanics/hydraulics, as well as introductory GIS and water quality related courses. At the graduate level, the candidate shall contribute to departmental instruction, including the development of a course related to their research area. The candidate will also contribute to teaching existing courses in both departments and in both colleges, including curriculum assessment and program accreditation. Advising and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have a strong engineering background with a PhD in engineering or a BS in engineering with a PhD in a water-science related field. They must show evidence of research excellence and have an ability to conduct independent and cooperative research, and willingness and ability to address research areas relevant to the mission of the Agricultural Experiment Station. Applicants must also have a strong desire and ability to teach biological systems engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SALARY
Commensurate with experience within the Assistant Professor ranks at the University of California.

APPLICATIONS
Open until filled, but to assure consideration, applications must be received by April 15, 2015. Applicants should submit the following materials on-line at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/: 1) curriculum vitae (with copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts appended), 2) statements of research and teaching experience, 3) list of publications, 4) reprints of up to five publications, 5) names and contact information for letters of reference from at least four individuals, and 6) a statement on future research interests, possible sources of extramural funds, and teaching interests. In addition, applicants may submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity that highlights past efforts to encourage diversity. For more information, contact:
Dr. Mark Grismer, Search Committee Chair
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
University of California
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616-5294
Phone: (530) 304-5797, FAX (530) 752-2640
email: megrismer@ucdavis.edu

BACKGROUND
The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is jointly administered by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Engineering at UC Davis and includes 26 academic faculty with a variety of appointments. Teaching and research programs are conducted in both colleges. The department has a long history of fundamental and mission-oriented research, outreach and impact on the agriculture and food industries in California and internationally. The department maintains well-equipped chemical, mechanical, and electronics support facilities, staffed by experienced technicians and development engineers.

The University of California, Davis is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty and staff. UC Davis is an NSF ADVANCE institution committed to equality and inclusion.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Future Research

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for information about why diversity statements are requested and guidelines for writing a diversity statement.
    (Optional)

  • Undergraduate transcripts

  • Graduate transcripts

  • List of Publications

  • Reprint of Publication # 1 - Upload a representative publication (three publications required, upload up to five)

  • Reprint of Publication # 2

  • Reprint of Publication # 3

  • Reprint of Publication # 4 (Optional)

  • Reprint of Publication # 5 (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 4-6 required (contact information only)
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