Assistant Professor in Ecological Epidemiology of Agricultural Systems

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Assistant Professor in Ecological Epidemiology of Agricultural Systems -

Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University's commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveness.illinois.edu.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) seeks to fill a 9-month, tenure-track position for an Assistant Professor in Ecological Epidemiology of Agricultural Systems. The start date is 16 August, 2019. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. This position is part of a seven-position cluster hire in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to dramatically strengthen and expand college capacity in Food and Agricultural Systems for Global Health. Faculty hired into these positions will lead college wide efforts in food security and global health, and participate in related campus priorities, including the Nutrition and Food Security theme of the campus strategic plan (blogs.illinois.edu/view/7831/601847), the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, among others.

We seek broadly trained candidates that take integrative approaches to conducting research in eco-epidemiology with relevance to food and agricultural systems.  Research could focus on impacts of infectious or noninfectious diseases on agricultural production (animals or plants), or how agroecosystems influence disease dynamics. Research areas could include ecosystem health, zoonotic diseases, wildlife diseases in agroecosystems, food safety, and sustainable agriculture, among others. Applicants are especially welcome that examine how environmental change, including land-use and climate change, affects disease dynamics across a hierarchy of scales, from individuals to ecosystems, with consequences for global health. Ideal candidates will possess computational modeling skills that will enhance the research capacity of NRES. We envision that the successful candidate could collaborate with colleagues outside of ACES from the College of Veterinary Medicine; College of Applied Health Sciences; Prairie Research Institute; National Center for Supercomputing Applications; Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment; and the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology.  

The successful candidate will develop a nationally prominent research program with publications in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals and extramural funding, contribute to the undergraduate and graduate programs of the Department of NRES through teaching and student advising, and collaborate with colleagues to address societal problems that require complex, multidisciplinary approaches.

All candidates must hold a Ph.D. in epidemiology, biological or agricultural sciences, preventive medicine, ecology, natural resources, or related field. Candidates should show potential for a strong research and teaching program in their area of specialization, and have completed their degree before the start date of the appointment.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, AND DEPARTMENT

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the leading public universities in the world with a student enrollment of more than 40,000, and nearly 2,000 faculty. The university is located 120 miles south of Chicago, within easy driving distance of St. Louis and Indianapolis. Our vibrant and diverse community of 110,000 offers the residential advantages of a medium-sized university city, excellent cultural opportunities, and a high quality of life. The College of ACES is recognized for its commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate programs, teaching, research, outreach, and international programs. Our hands-on academic programs prepare graduates for local, national, and global careers. Research and education centers throughout the state provide vital testing grounds where research can generate practical applications that benefit consumers, farmers, commodity groups, agricultural organizations, conservationists, government agencies, and industry.  ACES faculty and staff are leaders in international engagement, addressing global challenges and impacting lives. The Department of NRES is one of seven departments in the College of ACES with 21 tenure-track faculty members, 260 undergraduate students, 120 graduate students plus 77 online MS students. NRES brings biological, physical, and social scientists together to identify, teach, and publicize solutions for the sustainability of urban, managed, and natural ecosystems from local to global scales. Disciplines include landscape, ecosystem, and restoration ecology; animal ecology and conservation; environmental social science; biogeochemistry; microbial communities and functions; and soil science and sustainable agriculture. Our applied emphasis helps NRES meet its land-grant mission while maintaining a high level of scholarship.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To ensure full consideration, candidates should submit all application materials by November 28, 2018. To apply, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload the following: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of current and future research, 4) statement of teaching interests and philosophy, 5) up to three representative publications, and 6) contact information for three letters of recommendation.

For further information, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Robert Schooley (schooley@illinois.edu).

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer.

All tenured appointments require Board of Trustees approval.