Assistant Professor- Soil Microbiology

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.  

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.