Assistant or Associate Professor , Extension Title Series

Posting Details Job Title Assistant or Associate Professor , Extension Title Series Requisition Number FE03766 Working Title Assistant or Associate Professor Department Name 81060:PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES Work Location Lexington, KY Type of Position Faculty Position Time Status Full-Time Tenure Track Status Tenure Track Required Education Applicants must have an earned doctorate in soil science, agronomy with a specialization in soil science and/or agricultural engineering, or a related area, with a focus on sensor use in soil science/agronomy Required Related Experience Post-doctoral experience is desirable.
Required License/Registration/Certification N/A Job Summary TITLE: Assistant or Associate Professor, Extension Title Series RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a tenure eligible position with a 12-month appointment and approximately 75% extension, 20% research, and 5% service (other than extension) responsibilities.
The annual distribution of effort will be aligned with this colleague’s strengths and college/department needs.
The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024.
Kentucky’s 74,100 farm operations cover 12.
9 million acres (7 soil physiographic regions), including 0.
51, 1.
55, 1.
85 and 2.
12 million acres planted to winter wheat, corn, soybean, and hay, respectively (NASS, 2022).
Much of the remaining acres are in pasture, providing grazing for 2.
43 million beef/dairy cattle, horses, and small ruminants, and the soil resource also supports waste utilization from nearly 300 million broilers annually (NASS, 2022).
The successful candidate will provide statewide leadership for extension and research efforts in sensor data interpretation and application to crops/soils under site specific management.
Extension responsibilities will include developing guidelines for spatial crop/soil management and conducting impactful extension programs.
The appointee will be familiar with and use soil and remote/proximal crop sensors, as well as other emerging precision management technologies in their extension and research efforts.
This faculty will develop a nationally recognized extension program meeting Kentucky row crop and forage producers’ needs and collaborate with various soil and plant research programs within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) and across Kentucky.
Extension: The successful candidate will work as part of a team, providing educational programs focused on greater understanding and improved management of Kentucky’s soil resources – for the benefit of county Cooperative Extension Service agents, agricultural producers, industry, and other clientele.
This extension faculty member should provide special expertise/training programs on use and application of sensor technologies in the characterization of soil and plant properties.
As part of the Extension Team the individual will be expected to maintain existing relationships with key commodity groups (e.
g.
, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council).
Additional expectations for this position include authorship of peer reviewed extension publications, and newsletter articles, helping maintain the UK Soil Science Website, and developing new and alternative routes to disseminate extension information.
Research: The appointee will conduct research in support of their extension activities and the University of Kentucky’s soil and plant production recommendations, develop applied investigations in sensor uses/applications in Kentucky’s agroecosystems, and secure extramural funding to support this research.
Research discoveries will be transferred to stakeholders through refereed journal articles and extension outlets.
There are immediate existing opportunities for collaborative work with other UK-CAFE faculty in the Plant and Soil Sciences, Agricultural Economics and Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering departments.
In addition, CAFE has a large number of outstanding programs in related fields.
The incumbent will be actively involved in graduate student education by serving on student guidance committees and training MS and PhD students in the Integrated Plant & Soil Sciences degree program.
Service (Other Than Extension): As a land-grant university, faculty service to the department, college, university, professional society, and/or society at large is expected.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have an earned doctorate in soil science, agronomy with a specialization in soil science and/or agricultural engineering, or a related area, with a focus on sensor use in soil science/agronomy.
Post-doctoral experience is desirable.
Candidates should demonstrate a mastery of the theory and practice of applied agricultural soil science, including communication of scientific principles to industry and producer audiences.
Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills demonstrating the ability to effectively convey general information and research findings to a diverse clientele is required.
It is expected that the incumbent will obtain extramural funding to support a vigorous extension and research program.
RANK AND SALARY: This rank of this position is at the Assistant or Associate Extension 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.
To learn more about these benefits, please visit: www.
uky.
edu/HR/benefits.
THE ENVIRONMENT: The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFÉ) 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 extension, research, and instruction in our work.
We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready.
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.
For more than 130 years, CAFÉ 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.
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 level Bicycle 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.
Edwin Ritchey Chair, Search Committee 348 University Drive P.
O.
Box 469 University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Princeton, KY 42445-0469 Phone: 270-625-8825 Email: edwin.
ritchey@uky.
edu APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Completed applications should include the following: a cover letter, CV, statements of extension and research interests (upload as Specific request 1), and a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (upload as Specifc request 2).
In addition, names and contact information for three individuals from whom letters may be requested should be included in the application packet.
Applications should be submitted by December 1, 2023 for full consideration while the position will remain open until filled.
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 responsibilities, your qualifications, and your vision for innovative and impactful programs that address existing and emerging issues for a diverse an inclusive community, followed by the name, address, email, and phone number for three references, and conclude with career curriculum vita and relevant statements.
To apply for this position, click on the quicklink: https://ukjobs.
uky.
edu/postings/493046 or copy and paste the URL into your browser Click Apply for this Posting.
Follow the instructions on how to create an account.
Complete the Employment Application and upload the required documents.
If you need assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/Employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2, or email ukjobs@email.
uky.
edu.
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 Agriculture Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes Preferred Education/Experience Deadline to Apply Open Until Filled Yes University Community of Inclusion The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance.
We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome.
We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live.
In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources.
These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.