Assistant/Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences

TITLE: Assistant or Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Regular Title Series

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a tenure eligible position with a 12-month appointment and approximately 70% research, 25% teaching, 5% service responsibilities. The annual DOE will be aligned with this colleague's strengths and college/department needs. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.

RESEARCH: This position will develop a visionary research program focused on plant reproduction. The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to apply modern plant physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, and/or molecular genetics/genomics techniques to studies of plant reproduction (e.g., flowering, meiosis and gametophyte development, pollen biology, apomixis, doubled haploid formation, seed and fruit biology, seed dormancy, seed and seedling vigor, epigenetics, or evolution). The expectation is that the incumbent will conduct research at the forefront of the field of plant reproduction, bringing to bear a multidisciplinary approach. Opportunities exist for collaboration with a broad range of basic and applied plant scientists in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and University of Kentucky; accordingly, an ability to work at many different levels of plant biology is desirable.

TEACHING: The incumbent will contribute to the instructional mission of the Department by teaching in the Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology undergraduate program, as well as in the Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences graduate program.

SERVICE: As a land-grant university, service to department, college, university, professional society, and/or society at large is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have an earned doctorate in plant biology, molecular biology, or related areas. Post-doctoral experience in basic and/or applied plant reproduction, as well as in aspects of genome-scale plant biology, is desirable. Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills is required. It is expected that the incumbent will obtain extramural funding to support a vigorous research program.

RANK AND SALARY: The rank of this position is at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. Salary is negotiable and is commensurate with training and experience. Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with diverse rewards, focusing on total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees' retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. Further information about benefits provided to faculty by the University of Kentucky is posted on the following website

THE ENVIRONMENT: The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MG-CAFE) is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future. We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, CAFE has provided research results to the community. From traditional labs and research farms to high-tech diagnostic and research centers, we offer science-based, practical solutions that affect the everyday lives of Kentuckians and people around the world. Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentucky's 120 counties, identifying and addressing needs not only in agriculture and natural resources, but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, as well as community & economic development. We create a welcoming and inclusive environment that allows our faculty, staff, and students to reach their highest potential. We recognize people with diverse backgrounds and experiences are essential to decision making, problem solving, and innovation each and every day.

The University of Kentucky is a university with approximately 23,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. UK is Kentucky's flagship university and a land grant institution. We have a university commitment to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond and that is why environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of our institution's legacy. We are recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Gold levelBicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, and are recognized as a STARS(Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Silver Rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The university is geographically near downtown Lexington, which offers the vibrancy of an urban location while being in close proximity to working landscapes and recognized wilderness areas. It is a thriving community of 300,000+ with a strong commitment to quality of life, education, and the arts. Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region.

QUESTIONS AND/OR NOMINATIONS TO:

Dr. Tomo Kawashima

Chair, Search Committee

321 Plant Sciences Building

1405 Veterans Drive

Lexington, KY

-Phone: 859-25

Email:

Website:

APPLICATION: Completed applications should include the following: a cover letter, CV, separate statements of research and teaching interests (Special Request 1) and a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement ( Special Request 2). In addition, names and contact information of three individuals from whom letters may be requested should be included in the application packet. Applications should be submitted by August 30, 2024 for full consideration. Please use the University of Kentucky's electronic application process to apply. In your uploaded document please begin with a cover letter that outlines your approach to the position's qualifications, responsibilities, and vision for innovative and impactful programs that address existing and emerging issues for a diverse and inclusive community, followed by the name, address, email, and phone number for three references, and conclude with career curriculum vita and relevant statements.

If you need assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/ Employment, phone , press 2, or email

The University of Kentucky and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment of mutual respect where all members of our community are able to fully engage, belong, and succeed. We support and welcome applicants of all identities such as but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, perspectives, beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, religious belief, age, and, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity university. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and all interested and qualified people. The EEO Coordinator is Tim West, S-105 Agricultural Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY