Assistant Associate Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (PA, TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture to join their Department of Plant Science. This full-time, tenure-track position offers the opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research that benefits both small and large-scale growers. The successful candidate will engage in innovative research, focusing on the application of advanced technologies like AI and robotics in agriculture. Additionally, they will teach horticulture courses and mentor students, contributing to a vibrant academic community. If you are passionate about advancing agricultural science and education, this position is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement Contributions

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field required with a focus on controlled environment agriculture.
• Evidence of research publication and excellence in teaching is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to improve greenhouse and indoor farming systems.
• Teach horticulture courses and mentor graduate students.

Skills

Controlled Environment Agriculture

Research Methodologies

Teaching Excellence

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Science

Ph.D. in Horticulture

Ph.D. in Plant Biology

Tools

AI Technology

Computer Vision Systems

Sensors and Robotics

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Plant Science in the College of Agriculture Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Pennsylvania State University is pleased to invite qualified applicants to apply for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture position. This is a full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Plant Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences with a 60% research and 40% teaching appointment. The successful candidate will specialize in controlled environment agriculture and will conduct novel research benefiting small- and large-scale growers in Pennsylvania and beyond. Research will focus on understanding and improving greenhouse and indoor farming systems and may include studying the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on plant production and nutritional quality, crop modeling, or the application of physiological, cellular, or genomic approaches to plant growth and development. The successful candidate will focus on horticultural crops important to Pennsylvania's commercial industries and may include vegetables, fruit, floricultural and landscape plants, herbs, or pharmaceutical plants. Expertise in the application of novel technologies, including sensors and/or robotics for crop production, computer vision systems, and AI technology in controlled settings, is preferred.

The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty within and outside of PSU and industry partners to address pressing issues for farmers within the fruit, vegetable, or floriculture production industries. The individual will develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in controlled environment agriculture supported with competitive extramural funding. They will also recruit and train graduate students and publish research in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline.

The individual will also teach three horticulture courses annually, potentially including HORT 131 - Herbaceous Plants and HORT 453 - Flower Crop Production and Management. The successful candidate may have the opportunity to develop other courses based on their area of expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in plant science, plant biology, horticulture, or a related field is required. Candidate must possess disciplinary depth in a field relevant to controlled environment agriculture, with the ability and desire to approach problems taking a variety of horticultural crops into account. Applicants should provide evidence for conducting and publishing research, expertise in modern research methods, excellence in teaching, and ability to mentor and advise graduate students. Interest in and ability to contribute to interdisciplinary research collaborations in one or more areas central to the College of Agricultural Sciences is expected. An ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students across the university is required.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package includes health, dental, and retirement contributions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates should apply online at https://hr.psu.edu/careers. Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, the names and contact information for three references, three representative publications, a statement of research experiences/future interests, and a statement of teaching pedagogy/interests. Applicants should provide evidence, either woven through their application materials or as a separate diversity statement, of a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, and belonging and of engagement that creates an inclusive environment in their classroom, Department, and the University.

START DATE: August, 2025 or as negotiated.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship of teaching, research, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups in academia to apply.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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