Assistant Professor of Horticultural Plant Breeding

Assistant Professor of Horticultural Plant Breeding 

Position Summary:

We seek a tenure-track faculty member with demonstrated expertise in the area of plant genetic improvement to join an interdisciplinary department of colleagues committed to enhancing the sustainability of the farm-to-fork-to-human wellness continuum through teaching and engaged research activities. The appointee is expected to develop an externally funded, nationally recognized research program focused on the applied genetic improvement of horticultural crops relevant to our agroecoregion and beyond.  Bringing genome-enabled trait development and breeding strategies to bear, the successful candidate is expected to work on horticultural crop improvement to enhance crop adaptation to present and future climactic conditions, tolerance to evolving biotic stresses, and marketable qualities. The ideal candidate will be equipped to characterize and improve targeted biochemical determinants of culinary and nutritional quality.

In addition to establishing a high-impact, externally funded research program, the successful candidate will be expected to recruit and train graduate students, as well as develop and teach vibrant, high-quality courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, namely an upper level horticultural production systems course and plant genetics courses in support of our graduate program. Undergraduate education, including provision of directed research opportunities, is an area of distinction at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) that will be further strengthened with this position.

About the Department

The Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems (ANFS) (http://colsa.unh.edu/anfs) currently serves undergraduate majors through its Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Animal Science, Nutrition, and Equine Studies programs, as well as graduate students and dietetic interns through a variety of departmental and college-wide programs. Current ANFS faculty research areas include agroecology, animal and plant production, plant breeding and applied genomics, plant pathology, dairy cattle nutrition, food systems analysis, nutritional epidemiology, human nutrition, and disease prevention. We are a vibrant, interdisciplinary department committed to engaging in cross-disciplinary research and teaching at the interface of our food system, human health, and the environment.

Application instructions and timeline: 

Candidates should upload the following documents at the time of application: Cover letter, resume/CV, research statement, statement of teaching philosophy, and contact information for three professional references. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on December 1, 2021.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to the chairs of the search committee, Dr. Iago Hale (iago.hale@unh.edu) and Dr. Becky Sideman (becky.sideman@unh.edu).

Please note that the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire is committed to continuously improving our learning environment, one that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus, and we encourage and value applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission.

Acceptable Minimum Qualifications

  1. PhD. in Genetics, Plant Breeding, or a related field
  2. Evidence of research and teaching excellence in plant genetic improvement
  3. Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students
  4. Demonstrated potential for securing robust extramural research funding
  5. Demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for the integrated teaching, research, and service components of our land-grant mission
  6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Additional Preferred Qualifications

  1. Postdoctoral training
  2. Teaching and/or advising experience at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Salary

Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status, genetic information, and political orientation. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged.

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S.

Institution Information

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast, and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide