POSITION TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: As part of a major hiring initiative in the areas of Integrative Precision Agriculture, Data Science, and AI at the University of Georgia, the Department of Plant Pathology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is recruiting for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor in Precision Crop Protection/Digital Plant Pathology with a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment. This is an academic-year, tenure-track appointment located at the Athens Campus.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate will develop a vigorous, innovative, internationally recognized, and extramurally funded research program that develops and utilizes sensing, imaging, and/or machine learning technologies to detect, identify, monitor, predict, and/or manage plant pathogens, plant diseases and other biotic stresses in the field and/or controlled-environment systems. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the use of proximal and remote sensing of pathogens and plant bioindicators; development and validation of predictive disease development models; and development of autonomous or semiautonomous pest management vehicles.
Candidates with the ability to integrate sensing data with temporally and spatially explicit disease modeling to enable precision pest management are especially encouraged to apply. The incoming faculty member is expected to develop a vigorous, well-published, and externally funded research program; work collaboratively with members of the department and the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture; mentor graduate students and postdoctoral scientists; effectively support our teaching mission at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels; and contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment within the university. Specific teaching assignments will be negotiated with the department, but are expected to be commensurate with a 25% instructional appointment.
QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate must have a Ph.D. in plant pathology, one of the plant sciences, biological/agricultural engineering, or related discipline.
Documented research background appropriate for the appointment rank, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, in the application of technologies, models, or data analytics to problems in crop protection or crop production.
To be considered for the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must have at least 5 full years in rank at the Assistant Professor level. To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must be appointed as an Associate Professor, have been tenured at a prior institution, and bring a demonstrably regional and/or national reputation to the institution. Candidates must be approved for tenure upon appointment before hire. The criteria for promotion and tenure in the Department of Plant Pathology are summarized at https://provost.uga.edu/_resources/documents/Plant_Pathology_2015.pdf
POSITION AVAILABLE: 1 August 2023. Applications received by 31 October 2022 are assured full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
SALARY: Rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA: The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.
UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Harald Scherm, Chair of the Search Committee (scherm@uga.edu). Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. All application materials must be submitted via the university’s faculty job portal at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/270338 Materials to be uploaded include i) cover letter addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position, ii) curriculum vitae, iii) graduate-level academic transcripts, iv) statement of research interests, v) description of teaching experience and interests, and vi) names and contact information of four professional references. Selected applicants will be required to submit a background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia.
As one of the largest departments of its kind in the U.S., the UGA Department of Plant Pathology is recognized internationally for its comprehensive and integrative research and outreach portfolio, spanning basic, translational and applied programs. Our scientists ensure the economic viability of agriculture, the largest sector of Georgia’s economy, and contribute to national and global food security by reducing crop losses. Equally important, our research increases the understanding of basic biology through new discoveries in pathogen biology, resistance genetics and host-pathogen interactions.
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).