3 Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Jobs in Crop Design at the University of Georgia, USA

The University of Georgia (UGA) is inviting applications for three open-rank tenure-track faculty positions in Crop Design, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. The positions are part of a strategic cluster hire designed to build world-leading expertise in rational crop redesign for climate resilience, yield, sustainability, and agricultural profitability.

These faculty positions offer an opportunity for researchers working across artificial intelligence, quantitative genetics, genome engineering, synthetic biology, computational modeling, and translational crop science to develop high-impact research programs. Successful candidates will become part of the emerging Institute of Crop Design, with departmental affiliation determined by their research focus. Potential academic homes include Crop and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Horticulture.

The University of Georgia is a major public research institution with a long history of agricultural innovation. Its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has been a leader in agricultural research since its founding in 1859. Research at the college spans precision agriculture, sustainability, genomics, climate resilience, food security, and other areas relevant to the future of agriculture.

About the Crop Design Faculty Positions

UGA is seeking candidates across three complementary areas of crop design. The first focuses on AI, machine learning, computational modeling, and quantitative genetics to enable predictive crop design. Researchers in this area may work on AI-guided prediction of genome-editing outcomes, genotype-to-phenotype mapping, synthetic genetic circuits, multi-omics integration, digital-twin models, and computational frameworks for engineering traits in major crops.

The second area is advanced genome engineering for crops. This position is intended to strengthen UGA’s capabilities in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. Relevant expertise may include synthetic promoters, biosensors, orthogonal systems, genetic circuits, base and prime editing, multiplex CRISPR, large-scale genome engineering, protein engineering, metabolic pathway refactoring, and high-throughput genetic engineering pipelines. Applications involving yield, nutrient efficiency, stress tolerance, and agricultural biomanufacturing are particularly relevant.

The third area is integrative crop design and translational synthetic biology. UGA seeks an established leader capable of combining AI, advanced genome engineering, genetics, and synthetic biology to redesign crops for sustainable and high-performance agriculture. Candidates with experience in genome design, synthetic chromosome engineering, systems-level trait stacking, translation of fundamental discoveries into applied crop varieties or technologies, and interdisciplinary team leadership are encouraged to apply. Experience developing industry partnerships and strategies for real-world deployment of engineered crops will also be valuable.

All three positions are structured around a 75% research, 20% teaching, and 5% service distribution. The positions are open rank and may be appointed at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Research Environment and Collaboration

The successful candidates will join a highly interdisciplinary research environment at UGA. The university supports collaborative research through institutes and centers working across plant biology, artificial intelligence, genetics, precision agriculture, food safety, and related disciplines.

Relevant research infrastructure includes the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, the Plant Center, the Center for Food Safety, the Institute for Plant Breeding and Genetics, and the Institute for Integrated Precision Agriculture. Together, these resources can support research ranging from molecular and computational discovery to field-scale agricultural applications.

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences also plays an important role in addressing challenges facing Georgia’s large agricultural economy while contributing to global efforts involving food security, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Faculty appointed through this search will be expected to establish and lead a substantial research program with strong potential for external funding. Responsibilities will include developing collaborative research initiatives, mentoring postdoctoral researchers and students, and contributing to the strategic development of crop synthetic biology and crop design at UGA.

Teaching responsibilities will include advanced graduate-level courses and related educational activities. Faculty may also participate in outreach, industry engagement, technology translation, and interdisciplinary initiatives that connect academic research with agricultural applications.

Qualifications and Preferred Expertise

A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field is required. Candidates should demonstrate an international reputation or emerging international profile appropriate to the rank sought, together with research accomplishments aligned with the goals of the Crop Design initiative.

UGA is particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate leadership in areas such as quantitative genetics, AI-based modeling, crop synthetic biology, genome design, computational crop science, or translational genetic engineering. Evidence of successful interdisciplinary collaboration and the ability to translate research discoveries into agricultural impact will be important. Rank and tenure considerations will follow UGA’s applicable appointment, promotion, and tenure guidelines as well as the criteria established by the appointing department.

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Information

The advertised salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The appointment is an academic nine-month position and is classified as open rank, tenure track or tenured depending on the candidate’s qualifications and appointment level. The position is benefits eligible, with retirement options through TRS or ORP. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.

The position is based in the Athens, Georgia area. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer and provides consideration to qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Because the position carries financial and security-related responsibilities, selected candidates may be subject to applicable background investigations and, where required, credit checks. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of required employment verification and background procedures.

These Crop Design faculty positions are particularly relevant to researchers interested in the intersection of AI, plant science, genetics, genome engineering, and sustainable agriculture. The cluster-hire structure provides an opportunity for multiple researchers with complementary expertise to help shape an emerging research institute rather than joining an established program with a fixed scope.

The positions may be especially attractive to scientists who want to develop a well-funded, interdisciplinary research agenda around climate-resilient crops, predictive crop design, advanced genome engineering, synthetic biology, or agricultural biotechnology. Candidates with a strong record of collaboration and a vision for moving discoveries from laboratory research toward practical agricultural outcomes are likely to find the research environment particularly relevant.

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Research statement covering past research and future plans
• Teaching philosophy or teaching statement
• Names and contact information for five professional references
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References will not be contacted without further communication with the applicant. Selected candidates will be required to provide transcripts and complete the applicable background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with UGA.

Applications submitted by October 1, 2026, are assured full consideration. The search will remain open until the positions are filled, so interested researchers are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

For questions about the search, applicants should contact Dr. Scott Jackson, Chair of the Search Committee, at sjackson@uga.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What positions are available at the University of Georgia?

The University of Georgia is recruiting for three open-rank faculty positions in Crop Design, with appointments potentially at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level.

Is the Crop Design position tenure-track?

Yes. The positions are listed as Open Rank (Tenure Track), with tenure-track or tenured status determined according to the candidate’s qualifications, rank, and applicable departmental policies.

What degree is required?

Applicants must have a PhD or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Candidates should also demonstrate research accomplishments appropriate to the rank for which they are being considered.

What research areas is UGA looking for?

The search covers three broad areas: AI and computational modeling with quantitative genetics; advanced genome engineering for crops; and integrative crop design and translational synthetic biology.

What is the research-to-teaching workload?

The positions are structured as 75% research, 20% teaching, and 5% service.

Where is the position located?

The positions are based in the Athens Area of Georgia, USA, at the University of Georgia.

When is the anticipated start date?

The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.

What is the application deadline?

Applications received by October 1, 2026, are assured full consideration. The positions will remain open until filled.

What documents are required?

Required application materials include a CV or resume, research portfolio/philosophy, teaching portfolio/philosophy, and a list of five professional references with contact information.

Who can applicants contact about the search?

Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Scott Jackson, Chair of the Search Committee, at sjackson@uga.edu