Assistant Professor – Ornamental Horticulture

Job Title

Assistant Professor – Ornamental Horticulture

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Overton

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Overton, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Position Description:

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, TX seeks outstanding applicants for a non-tenure track Assistant Professor position in environmental horticulture working with ornamental plants in greenhouse and field settings. This is a 12-month appointment (75% research and 25% extension) and will be based at the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, TX and will be affiliated with the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. The applicant will work closely with other scientists within the department, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M Extension to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing the green industry in Texas related to ornamental plants.

Position Responsibilities:

• Building an externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing the green industry in Texas related to ornamental plants.

• Publish in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals within the discipline. 

• Manage and expand the ongoing plant trial program at Overton station.

• Engaging with industry professionals and participating in extension activities relevant to stakeholders.

• Working closely with the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, county extension agents, on-campus and other state-wide faculty, and other Green Industry professionals in the region and participating in extension activities of relevance to stakeholders

• Work collaboratively with local Extension personnel and volunteers to accomplish training programs.

• Participate in graduate student mentoring to the extent that conditions permit.

• Publish regularly in high-quality peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline.

• Participate in extension programming to contribute tangible impacts on the economic viability and competitiveness of the Texas Green Industry.

• Potential research topics may include but are not limited to: selection, propagation, production, and management of ornamental plants, adaptive and water-efficient ornamentals, and genetics, breeding, and development of ornamental plants.

Administrative Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Overton, with guidance from the Department of Horticulture at Texas A&M University, College Station. 

• Directs the work of support staff, and other technical personnel and graduate students assigned to the project.

Qualifications:  

Required job qualifications:

• Ph.D. in horticulture or a closely related field by hire date.

• Experience in herbaceous and woody ornamentals/landscape horticulture.

• Strong communication skills.

• Grant writing experience.

• Ability to attract research funding.

• Record of peer-reviewed publications of original research.

• Experience or training relevant to extension.

Preferred job qualifications:

• Prior academic, post-doctoral, or professional experience.

• Demonstrated outreach and extension experience with stakeholder interaction.

• Valid drivers’ license or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellence in verbal and written communication, including a relevant publication record.

• Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.

Location and Facilities:

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is in northeast Texas approximately 160 miles from College Station. Research programs at Overton include Forage Physiology, Forage Breeding, Soil Microbiology, Beef Cattle Physiology, Biomathematical Modeling, and Ornamental Horticulture. Extension programs in Horticulture, Agronomy, 4H, Entomology, and Animal Science are represented at Overton. Forestry programs are conducted by the Texas A&M Forest Service. Research facilities and support include office and laboratory space as well as greenhouses, irrigated plot ground, and farm equipment.

The Department of Horticultural Sciences in College Station, Texas is a nationally ranked program with a mission focused on sustainability, wellness, and food security to support the economic viability, and national and global competitiveness of Texas horticulture, which contributes over $70 Billion per year to the state economy, develop the next generation of academic and industry professionals and leaders, ensure physical and mental well-being of Texans and Americans with abundant availability and access to aesthetic and nutritious horticulture crops.

Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M University Department of Horticulture is available at:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/about/who-we-are/

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Overton: https://overton.tamu.edu

Texas A&M University Department of Horticulture: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/

Application Procedure: 

Applicants must upload a

• Cover letter (two-page limit)

• Transcripts

• Curriculum vitae including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV

• Vision statements of research and extension (two-page limit).

To be given full consideration, please submit applications by March 1, 2024. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2024. 

Questions: 

Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair: Michael Arnold, Ph.D.

Phone: (979) 845-1499
Email: [email protected]  

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.