Assistant Professor of Enviromental Science
University of California Davis
United States

Application Window

Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in Soil Heath
in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources,
University of California, Davis

The Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, internationally recognized as a premier center of excellence in research, teaching, and extension, is seeking applications for a Professor in Cooperative Extension (CE) to join the faculty at the Assistant rank in the field of Soil Health. The mission of the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources is to develop and disseminate comprehensive basic and applied knowledge regarding all aspects of soil, water, and air involving managed and natural ecosystems. A Professor of CE is being recruited to conduct original applied research resulting in information that can be applied to diagnose soil health and identify sustainable and cost-effective management practices to improve soil health in diverse cropping systems, climates and soils, and to develop an extension education and outreach program that extends information to various clientele (e.g., growers, ranchers, county-based CE academics, federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, land managers, and technical service providers) including under-represented groups. The successful candidate will bring visibility and leadership to campus- and county-based CE academics and other researchers and educators involved in the study of soil management in agricultural (perennial and annual) and rangeland ecosystems. Research and extension outreach activities will be closely integrated with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), including county-based CE academics and clientele as well as campus-based CE and ladder rank faculty.

Responsibilities:
This is a full-time, career-track appointment that includes the expectation that the appointee will conduct mission-oriented research and engage in extension education and outreach that advances the mission of the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources and ANR. The focus of this position will be on cost-effective indicators to diagnose soil health considering the wide range of soils throughout the State, and identifying practices that improve soil health in light of limitations imposed by the complexity of cropping systems in the State. Accordingly, applicants should have the professional background necessary to conduct original research in a wide range of cropping systems, and evidence of an ability to expand their work to rangeland. By developing reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and with various stakeholders, the candidate should become a knowledgeable partner who can provide reliable information and build research-informed networks to address issues of regional and California-wide importance. Advising and mentoring of graduate students is expected.

Extension Teaching:
A person in this position is expected to provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers, CE campus and county-based academics, and clientele and colleague groups such as growers, ranchers, federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, land managers, and technical service providers. This will include providing information to clientele through print publications, web-based resources and in-person presentations, and serving as a resource for other CE academics.

Applied Research:
Existing soil health guidelines are one-size-fits-all and are poorly suited to management of California’s diverse cropping systems and rangelands. The successful candidate will: 1) coordinate applied research related to the diagnosis of soil health and evaluating how soil health practices can be tailored to California’s agricultural systems to maintain productivity and minimize adverse effects on water and air resources. 2) conduct and publish the results of applied research or other creative activities designed to explore new technologies and tools to promote soil health and grower friendly observations to monitor soil health. Holistic assessment of management practices will be evaluated to promote strategies to increase resource use efficiency, stimulate resilience, while promoting productivity. Areas of emphasis may include the myriad of soil heath promoting practices, each having differential impacts on soils (carbon storage, fertility, erodibility, compaction, greenhouse gas emissions, plant-water relationships, and microbial biodiversity).

Professional Competence and Activity:
The candidate will be expected to participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings; reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals in his/her area of expertise; and establishing productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states and countries. The goal would be to gain national and international recognition for scholarly contributions to the science and practices of soil health, as he/she advances to the higher ranks in the UC system.

Qualifications:
Ph.D. degree in Soil Science or other closely related discipline is required (degree must be awarded by start of position).
The successful candidate must have a record that documents productivity in research as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Salary:
Commensurate with experience.

Appointment Date:
Applications will be reviewed with the expectation that the appointee will be available for service on or soon after December 1, 2022.

Applications:
Applications should be submitted on-line at http://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04992. The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by August 31, 2022.

Required application materials include:
1) curriculum vitae including publication list,
2) college transcripts (if within 5 years of Ph.D.),
3) a summary or abstract of the Ph.D. dissertation (if within 5 years of Ph.D.),
4) a statement of research and extension interests and goals,
5) copies or links to three recent relevant publications,
6) statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion and
7) the contact information (name, address, e-mail, telephone number) of at least three references.

Additional inquiries should be directed to the Search Committee Chair - Dr. Daniel Geisseler djgeisseler@ucdavis.edu.

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse faculty community. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Ph.D. degree in Soil Science or other closely related discipline.
Additionally, knowledge, experience, interest and/or academic coursework related to agronomy, soil variability and/or agroecology is highly desired

Evidence of research excellence in the candidate’s discipline and demonstrated potential for developing an independent applied research program in soil health.
Evidence of leadership, team-building, and organizational skills to plan and conduct independent and collaborative research projects, and to develop a successful extension education and outreach program with a diverse clientele.
Commitment to ANR and the mission of the land-grant system and evidence of a “vision” for development of a research and outreach program to protect soil health and discover soil health promoting practices that coincide with the State’s diverse cropping systems, natural resources, soils, and climates.
Ability to direct graduate students and willingness to serve as a student advisor.
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to non-scientific and public audiences.
Interest, understanding, and commitment to contributing to diversity. Demonstrated ability to contribute to diversity and inclusion of groups that are underrepresented in the academy and extension clientele through extension education, research, and/or service would be a plus. Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be assessed by their general quality and the candidates’ awareness, contributions, and plans for future efforts related to diversity and inclusion. Evidence of collegiality and professional service consistent with departmental and professional citizenship.

• 3 required (contact information only)

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.