Purdue University Seeks Assistant Professor (Urban Soil Science)
Posted on December 9, 2022
Position Title:
Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Position Summary
Tenure-track Assistant Professor (9 months) position with research and teaching appointments in an area related to soil science and environmental quality. The candidate should have an advanced understanding of soil science but be able to work in water, landscape design, land use, community or natural resource development, sustainability, or resilience. While this position will not have a formal extension appointment, the candidate is expected to be active in communicating their work to stakeholders outside of academia. The successful candidate will join a 31-member faculty in the Agronomy Department housed in Lilly Hall on the main campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. The position will also hold a minor appointment in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department. This position is part of an Equity Cluster Hire package entitled Advancing Sustainable, Equitable Urban Environments, and Food Systems. This position will help establish a critical program for the College in improving the sustainability of Indiana's diverse urban landscapes and local food systems. The emphasis is on the role of soil as part of the Urban Ecosystem.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or other related fields. Candidates with solid backgrounds in soil chemistry, soil morphology, or soil physics, especially as these relate to contaminants, are desired. Candidates should be able to integrate the impacts of disturbance, intensive management, or industrial effects on the long-term landscape of soil health, contaminant leaching, and runoff, and provide solutions for returning these soils to productive use. The goal is to use fundamental science to create practical approaches and strategies and to apply sustainable development techniques for new and existing urban environments. The candidate must demonstrate success in teaching, communication, teamwork, leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving skills.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate is required to develop a nationally recognized research program focused on improving the soil in the urban system. Understanding how urbanization has impacted the soil will play
a critical role in returning the ground to human benefit, ranging from resettlement to local food production. The position must focus on how anthropogenic-induced stresses along with environmental
stresses impact the ability of the soil to function. The candidate is required to engage with the local stakeholders, who are often disadvantaged, to help them understand needs in the urban environment, including brownfield sites, old industrial locations, and possible impacts on local water and air quality.
a critical role in returning the ground to human benefit, ranging from resettlement to local food production. The position must focus on how anthropogenic-induced stresses along with environmental
stresses impact the ability of the soil to function. The candidate is required to engage with the local stakeholders, who are often disadvantaged, to help them understand needs in the urban environment, including brownfield sites, old industrial locations, and possible impacts on local water and air quality.
Experience and interest in collaborating with social scientists to achieve these goals is encouraged. The successful candidate will establish an externally funded research program from sources including
federal and state agencies and industry. They will teach graduate and undergraduate courses, function as an active departmental and university faculty member, and engage in national and international
professional activities. Potential exists for teaching distance courses.
The Agronomy and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Departments are integral parts of the College of Agriculture, one of the world's leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource
sciences, and ranked eighth globally in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. The College of Agriculture is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 302 faculty, 2823 undergraduate students, and 689
graduate students. The College's current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html.
Appointment and Salary: Assistant Professor (9-month; tenure-track). Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A background check will be required for employment in this position.
Application:
All materials must be combined into one pdf and submitted electronically via this site: https://careers.purdue.edu
Application materials must include:
1. Cover letter that speaks to the candidate's qualifications for and interests in the position as
described herein with contact information.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Diversity and inclusion statement explaining how the candidate's teaching, scholarship, and mentoring, has helped or will help to foster and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in urban communities, as well as the Department and the College.
4. Statement of research interests and future research direction.
5. Teaching statement.
6. A list of three professional references with contact information.
Purdue University's Agronomy Department is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in a separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. Purdue University, the College of Agriculture, and the Agronomy Department are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.
Screening of applicants will begin on January 6th, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, contact Melinda Smith, smit2732@purdue.edu
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply