INTRODUCTION

The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a full-time (11-month appointment, 80% Teaching, 20% Extension) Assistant Professor in Residence or Instructor in Residence. This is a non-tenure track position renewed annually with the expectation of long-term employment. The position is available immediately and will start no later than August 23, 2022.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic individual capable of engaging students in practical and experiential learning as part of our Associate of Applied Science Program in the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture (RHSA) and Baccalaureate Degree Program in PSLA. Responsibilities include teaching courses in the areas of general turfgrass management, golf course grounds management, and plant pest control, and the development of an additional course in consultation with PSLA faculty to meet the needs of the department. We expect that the candidate will oversee the successful operation of the turfgrass internship program, which involves connecting students with employers and conducting on-site visits with interns and their employers; an opportunity to coordinate internships for RHSA students in ornamental horticulture and sustainable crop production will also be provided for those with relevant background experience. The candidate will be expected to develop an innovative extension outreach education program that includes a strong applied research component to meet the needs of turfgrass practitioners in Connecticut and become a recognized turfgrass expert sought throughout New England. We are seeking a collaborative educator able to cultivate strong relationships with industry practitioners to augment the impact of their teaching and extension efforts. Preference will be given to those who have experience working with first-generation and underrepresented groups.

Other duties include advising undergraduate students, participating in undergraduate student recruitment activities, serving as faculty advisor to the Turf Club, and actively contributing to the academic community through service within the University, to the state and region, and through national and international organizations.

CAHNR has developed and implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. Faculty hired for this position will be expected to make significant contributions in their area of expertise, contributing to the advancement of one or more of the CAHNR’s five strategic priorities.

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply;
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally and globally;
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces;
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate; and
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion and belonging by advocating for anti-racist policies, practices and norms.

The CAHNR Strategic Vision (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues/) provides additional information on the strategic initiatives and their related areas of emphasis.

The University prioritizes scholarship in areas that include health and environmental sustainability, and offers significant opportunity for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarship in a number of areas including healthy and active communities, shoreline and community resilience, storm water management and green infrastructure, sustainable cities, landscape ecology, multi-modal transportation, and digital visualization and spatial analytics. UConn has been recognized as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses by a national publication of Sierra magazine. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ph.D. in Plant Science, Agronomy, Turfgrass Science, Weed Science, Horticulture or closely related discipline for consideration as Assistant Professor in Residence; OR MS in Plant Science, Agronomy, Turfgrass Science, Weed Science, Horticulture for consideration as Instructor in Residence.
• Knowledge of innovative teaching approaches in undergraduate level classroom and laboratory and/or field analysis instruction.
• Experience managing turfgrass systems for public or private entities or for an applied research program.
• Knowledge of integrated pest management strategies for the green industry.
• Ability to develop an externally funded, Extension program that includes applied research.
• Experience with enhancing diversity and inclusion in outreach activities or furthering inclusive best practices at work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Teaching experience at the college level with full-class responsibilities.
• Experience advising and mentoring undergraduate students.
• Experience working in a managerial position within the turfgrass industry.
• Experience writing and delivering Extension/outreach educational materials.
• Effective communication and collaborative skills with diverse individuals from agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds.
• Familiarity with organic and conventional approaches used in applied research.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 11-month position, with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022, or earlier. Salary and faculty rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment at the University of Connecticut is contingent upon the successful candidate’s compliance with the University’s Mandatory Workforce COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  This Policy states that all workforce members are required to have or obtain a Covid-19 vaccination as a term and condition of employment at UConn, unless an exemption or deferral has been approved. 

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY 

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20569 and submit the following application materials:

• Letter of interest that addresses how the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications, why the applicant is the best fit for the position, and how your work at UConn will contribute to one or more of CAHNR strategic priorities;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Teaching statement, 1 to 2 pages maximum (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, etc.);
• Extension statement, 1 to 2 pages maximum (including approaches to developing an effective program and assessing program impacts);
• Diversity statement, 1 to 2 pages maximum (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and extension and applying effective pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles);
• Names and contact information for three references.

Evaluation of applicants will begin January 15, 2022. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than February 15, 2022.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Jessica Lubell-Brand (jessica.lubell@uconn.edu). 

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.