Assistant Professor

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 31 Mar 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Department Crop and Soil Science (ACS)
Position Title Assistant Professor
Job Title Assistant Professor
Appointment Type Academic Faculty
Job Location Corvallis
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
The Department of Crop and Soil Science invites applications for a 9-month, full time (1.00 FTE) 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 soil microbiology and ecology. Potential research areas will address current issues related to sustainable agriculture, environmental quality, and climate change. Research topic areas may include carbon and nitrogen cycling, microbial communities, disease suppressive soils, microbiome characterization, biological soil health indicators, bioremediation, rhizosphere ecology, plant-microbial interactions, microbial ecology, soil biodiversity and conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions from soils.
The incumbent will develop a research program that is integrated and in collaboration with faculty specializing in complimentary topics such as soil biogeochemistry, soil fertility, soil carbon, soil health, soil water, pedology, agronomy, plant pathology, and microbiology. The incumbent will support research investigations ranging from molecular to global scales. The incumbent is expected to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in soil biology and will mentor graduate students and postdocs in this field. The successful candidate is also expected to have a commitment to and an understanding of the importance of enhancing diversity in the development and delivery of their program efforts.
College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document .
Oregon State University and the CSS Department are committed to maintaining and enhancing a collaborative and inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. All employees of the Department are responsible for helping to ensure that these goals are achieved. In addition, all faculty members will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Departmental programs to ensure that all people have equal program participation opportunities.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
55% Research
The incumbent is expected to develop an impactful and innovative soil microbiology and ecology research program with an emphasis in Oregon agricultural systems. The incumbent will work to create new knowledge across different spatial scales in both laboratory and field settings, applying modern methods of data procurement, storage, and interpretation.
Specific research activities include:
  • Lead a robust nationally and internationally recognized soil microbiology and ecology research program that addresses emerging soil-related Oregon issues related to sustainable agriculture, environmental quality, and climate change.
  • Secure external funding from federal, state, regional, and industry funding sources to support various research activities.
  • Serve as an investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.


20% SCHOLARSHIP
The incumbent is expected to actively develop their status as a recognized scholar.
Activities serving this purpose include:
  • Maintain a strong publication record by publishing research articles in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Communicate research findings through collaborative and personal interactions with Extension personnel, growers, farm managers, governmental organizations (NRCS, ODA etc.) via meetings, workshops, internet websites or other forums as appropriate.

20% Teaching AND ADVISING
Teach the combined undergraduate and graduate level Soil Biology course on an annual basis.
Teach an additional graduate level course related to Soil Microbiology and Ecology in alternate years.
Additional activities related to teaching include direction of student projects and internships, course and curriculum development, and interacting with students in more informal settings.
  • Collaborate with other teaching faculty within the CSS department as well as other departments and colleges across campus. Serve as a mentor to undergraduate students (i.e. honors college committees)
  • Advise graduate students and serve on graduate student committees.
  • Supervise and mentor an effective research team including support staff, research assistants and post-doctoral researchers as appropriate.

5% Service
Serve and participate on Department, College and University committees.
Maintain active membership and participate in professional associations and activities.
Fulfill all reporting requirements of the unit, department, and college in a timely fashion.
What You Will Need
PhD in Soil Science, Microbiology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to scholarly activity through refereed journals, books, and electronic media as evidenced by a strong publication record.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate, cooperate and work within a team structure.
Demonstrated ability to effectively present soil microbiology and ecology related topics to varied audiences.
Experience or strong potential to secure external funding for research programs.
Evidence of verifiable efforts to promote and enhance diversity, equity, inclusion.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Postdoctoral experience in a related field.
Exemplary publication record in relevant scientific journals.
Previous experience with nitrogen and carbon cycling in agricultural systems.
Experience leading and teaching undergraduate or graduate level courses in a classroom setting.
Documented ability to apply genomic/proteomic methods with associated data analysis techniques.
Documented ability to apply modern methods in microbial ecology, such as phylochips, stable isotope probing, or similar techniques.
Demonstrated ability to translate fundamental research results into practical suggestions for stakeholders.
Record of commitment to work with underrepresented/underserved students or other audiences.
Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student success or impact underserved audiences.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Evening and/or weekend work may be required for conference travel and research work in the field and laboratory.
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/150925

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P07844UF
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 09/16/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 03/04/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 03/31/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
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) In accordance with the OSU College of Ag Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence , all faculty are expected to develop actionable goals and strategies to improve opportunities and outcomes for underrepresented students, faculty, staff and stakeholders. To assess their disposition towards this goal, applicants are requested to formulate an actionable DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) commitment that the candidate would be comfortable to have incorporated in their Position Description and be held to account. This commitment should be brief and concise (less than 200 words), describing specific, executable, and quantifiable actions, tailored to the talents and experience of the applicant. The purpose of this request is to avoid noncommittal, standardized statements while rewarding creative ideas. Activities may include, but are not limited to the examples listed below.
  • Actions that create an environment where all people can thrive.
  • Identification of key diversity gaps in your discipline and strategic activities that will be taken to reduce these gaps.
  • A plan to support and empower students who may have very different identities and backgrounds than your own.
  • Actions to improve the experiences of marginalized students
  • Other pertinent actions/activities .


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:
| Thomas Chastain
| [email protected]
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected] .

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