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Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences - Crop Modeling

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Position description

The Department of Plant Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences with a preferred emphasis in Crop Modeling.

This is an academic year (9-month), tenure track, Assistant Professor position that includes the expectation of mission-oriented research and outreach relevant to the California Agricultural Experiment Station.

This position provides the opportunity to develop and use dynamic simulation modeling frameworks to link crop genetics, physiology, and ecology to elucidate, generate hypotheses about, and predict plant responses to changing management and environmental conditions, as well as to build mechanistic modeling platforms to support agro-industry. This position will be central to the teaching and research continuum of the department, which spans from fundamental discoveries to application of research findings. It is expected that this position will generate biologically sound modeling approaches to enhance and optimize cropping systems utilizing an array of modern and novel research tools, available data bases, and that model outcomes will guide future experimental crop research. The expectation is that the incumbent’s research program would embrace mechanistic approaches to physiologically-based crop models. The incumbent is expected to build an internationally recognized research program with potential to impact cropping practices in California and internationally. A strong background in plant sciences, computer sciences or applied mathematics with proven record of plant-specific modeling is essential.

The department has traditionally had strength in crop modelling in all areas of plant sciences with undergraduate and graduate courses. As such we envision for this position a successful track record or demonstrated potential in teaching advanced general mechanistic modeling and specialized crop modeling courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. We expect that the incumbent will have a clear vision for the future of modeling in cropping systems. The emphasis of teaching should be on “hands on” experience aiming to introduce and train students in the development of crop models as well as in the use of models in a realistic environment.

The faculty of the Department of Plant Sciences has expertise in a broad range of topics related to all aspects of plant genetics, biology, physiology, and ecology providing many opportunities for collaboration on topics of interest to the incumbent of this position. Consequently, we hope to select a candidate with the ability to work comfortably in collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams as well as with industry to develop and optimize both basic and applied crop models. Department research encompasses the full spectrum of scholarship in the land-grant university tradition, solving agricultural and environmental problems through a continuum from fundamental discovery to application of research findings. The department focuses on interdisciplinary research in plant and environmental sciences that translates fundamental advances in genomics, genetics, plant physiology, plant ecology, evolutionary biology and environmental sciences into improvements in crop production and sustainability in California and internationally.

The Plant Sciences faculty has a strong commitment to undergraduate education. The Department’s teaching mission is to provide a research-based, integrative undergraduate and graduate educational experience for students in plant sciences and related disciplines, including the biology of plant relationships to other organisms and their environments. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate the ability to teach plant/crop modeling topics at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels and to establish a vigorous, dynamic and innovative teaching program at UC Davis at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and develop new courses in their area of expertise. For instance, this individual will be expected to participate in teaching “PLS 142 (Ecology of Crop Systems)” and contribute to modernization of “PLS 21 (Applications of Microcomputers in Agriculture)”. In addition, the candidate will teach at the graduate level within her/his area of research expertise for Horticulture and Agronomy or Ecology Graduate Groups. Enthusiastic and effective advising and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows is expected.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

Language to include in all position descriptions in UC RECRUIT

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second
person to accompany an invited faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html

UC Davis recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty with efforts to integrate work, family and other work-life considerations. To recruit and retain the best faculty, the campus sponsors a Work Life
Program that provides programs and services that support faculty as they strive to honor their commitments to work, home and community.
http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/worklife/index.htm l

The UC Davis Partner Opportunities Program (POP) is a service designed to support departments and deans’ offices in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty. Eligibility for POP services is limited to full-time Academic Senate Ladder Rank faculty (including Lecturers with Security of Employment (LSOE), Lecturers with Potential Security of Employment (LPSOE) Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment (SLPSOE)), and Cooperative Extension Specialists.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any property owned or leased by UC Davis-- indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
    (Optional)

  • Publication List

  • Publication #1

  • Publication #2

  • Publication #3

  • Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts - (if within 5 years of either degree)
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 5-7 required (contact information only)
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