Assistant Professor in Ornamental Horticulture

University of Guelph - Job Requisition #1171

The Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. This position is located at the Guelph, Ontario (Canada) campus and requires a PhD in Horticulture, Plant Science, or a closely related field. The anticipated start date for this appointment is September 1, 2025, or another mutually agreed-upon date in 2025.

The successful candidate will design and teach undergraduate courses in floriculture and nursery crop production and will serve as the program coordinator for a course-based master’s program in Plant Agriculture. They will supervise MSc and PhD students in their thesis research and contribute to classroom instruction at the graduate level. The chosen candidate will develop and lead a comprehensive, externally funded research program in any area of ornamental horticulture (e.g., nursery, greenhouse or other controlled environment production, plant nutrition, physiology, breeding) according to their expertise and interest. They will also participate in industry liaison activities, including managing the Guelph Ornamental Trial gardens, and representing the University of Guelph on the board of the Canadian Greenhouse Conference; accordingly, direct experience in the ornamental horticulture industry is considered an asset.

The successful candidate will join a world-class, collaborative faculty in the Department of Plant Agriculture, with members conducting cutting-edge research in the disciplines of plant breeding and genetics, weed science, plant pathology, soil science, agronomy, plant physiology, plant conservation, and plant-based bioproducts. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications. The department will provide competitive research start-up funds; other research support and subsidized access to research facilities are available through the Research Alliance Agreement between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

The Department of Plant Agriculture is Canada’s largest and most diverse applied plant biology department and has recognized strengths in a broad cross-section of plant sciences including agronomy, horticulture, breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, controlled environment systems, plant physiology, post-harvest physiology, plant pathology, and plant-based bioproducts. The Department currently has 26 faculty members and employs 100 staff and more than 100 graduate students. Faculty within the Department have access to modern laboratories, growth room and greenhouse facilities, as well as fourteen well-equipped research stations across the province.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on May 12, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications must consist of the following materials (in an integrated single PDF file):

1. Letter of interest (ATTN: Prof. H. Earl, Chair, Department of Plant Agriculture)
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching philosophy statement (1 Page)
4. Research interests statement: short- and long-term (1 Page)
5. EDI Statement: Describe the strategies you will use to foster inclusion and support a diverse community in your research program and classrooms (1 Page)
6. References: Contact information for 3

Questions about this position may be directed to Professor Hugh Earl, Chair, Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College hjearl@uoguelph.ca

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca