Appointment: This is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position with a 60% extension, 40% research appointment in the area of Vegetable and Small Fruit Production. This position is in the Plant and Soil Science Department, within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Position Description: Agriculture is a major industry in Delaware and on the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia) peninsula. Fresh market and processing vegetables, along with poultry and grain crops are the primary agricultural commodities. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research and extension program, extend information through a variety of outlets, and publish peer-reviewed fact sheets, trade articles and scientific journal articles. The successful candidate will serve as liaison with and advisor to the vegetable and fruit industry in Delaware. The candidate will be expected to work with processing and fresh market vegetables and small fruit; evaluate a range of production systems; and incorporate adaptive research and new technologies for vegetable and fruit production.
Extension efforts will include working with farmers and ag-industry to keep them informed of current recommendations based on applied research, updating vegetable and small fruit production recommendations, and keeping vegetable and small fruit industry informed of regulatory updates. Close interaction with neighboring Land Grant Institutions in the region, including the Delaware State University, University of Maryland-College Park, and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, and travel outside the state are required in this position.
This candidate is expected to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their research and extension programs. There are opportunities to mentor students both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in horticulture or closely related discipline with a thorough understanding of vegetable and/or fruit production practices. A strong commitment to working with diverse clientele, willing to be part of a team-oriented approach to Extension and research, and an ability to develop and lead extension programs and complimentary research are essential. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills are necessary.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and training. The University of Delaware provides an excellent employee benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement contributions, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and complete tuition remission for family members.
The University of Delaware: The University of Delaware’s main campus is located in Newark, DE, with an enrollment of approximately 23,000 students. UD ranks in the top 75 of the nation’s public research universities with sponsored program expenditures exceeding $200 million per year, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is third in research expenditures among its colleges. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences is one of four departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with 27 full-time faculty focused in the areas of agriculture, plant biology, and landscape horticulture/architecture that are located in Newark or at the Carvel Research and Education Center near Georgetown, DE.
The Carvel Research and Education Center serves as the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ southern Agricultural Experiment Station and is located near Georgetown, Delaware. This well-equipped station, comprising 347 acres, is the primary research facility for vegetable and grain crop production. PLSC faculty and county Cooperative Extension staff are located there and include a strong multidisciplinary agronomic field crops team with expertise in weed science, irrigation, agronomy, plant pathology, plant breeding, and entomology. County Extension offices are also located in Newark and Dover. Cooperative Extension enjoys the support of a dynamic agricultural community. The incumbent’s responsibilities will include interactions with the farmers and ag industry in the three counties of Delaware. The position will be housed at the Carvel Center in Georgetown yet have full access to the facilities at all locations.
Application Dates: Application review will begin September 26, 2022 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The position is available as early as Spring, 2023.
Application Process: Interested persons should submit: i) a curriculum vitae, ii) statement of approach to developing an Extension and applied research program, this statement should also address developing diverse and inclusive programs (two pages maximum), and iii) include name and contact information for three references. Submitted documents will be shared with departmental faculty.
Questions regarding the search can be sent to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Mark VanGessel (mjv@udel.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity
Employment offers will be conditioned upon successful completion of a criminal background check. A conviction will not necessarily exclude you from employment.
The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members and Women.
Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Applications are made through the UDJobs (https://www1.udel.edu/udjobs/faculty.html Job Number: 499226.
Applications close: Open until filled
Additional information related to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Plant and Soil Sciences, Cooperative Extension, and the Carvel Research and Education Center at the University of Delaware can be found at the following web sites: College of Agriculture (http://canr.udel.edu); Plant and Soil Science Department (http://canr.udel.edu/plsc/); Cooperative Extension (http://extension.udel.edu); Carvel Research and Education Center (http://www.rec.udel.edu).
Job no: 499226
College / VP Area: College of Ag & Natural Res
Work type: Faculty
Location: Newark
Categories: Plant & Soil Sciences, Full Time