POSITION TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: The University of Georgia (UGA) seeks to hire a faculty member with Extension and applied research responsibilities addressing the disease management needs of urban, homeowner, and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) clientele in Georgia. This is a tenure-track assistant professor position on 9-month academic-year appointment with a guarantee of 2 months of summer salary. The faculty member will be a member of the UGA Department of Plant Pathology under the direction of the Department Head. The position will be located at the Athens Campus.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: The faculty member will be responsible for Extension programming and applied research focused on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of diseases in urban and homeowner landscapes and gardens as well as in food crops produced in CEA facilities, a rapidly growing sector of agriculture in Georgia and the southeastern U.S. This includes education and training of stakeholder groups and Extension agents; preparation of journal articles, Extension publications, and popular press articles; participation and leadership in collaborative grant proposals; and supervision and mentoring of graduate students in research areas commensurate with the mission-oriented scope of this position. Collaborations with faculty and agents in the Center for Urban Agriculture, the IPM Program, and the Controlled-Environment Cluster at UGA are strongly encouraged. The appointment split will be 70% Extension, 25% research, and 5% service.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related discipline. Knowledge of and skill in diagnosis and management of plant diseases, as documented by work history and/or scientific publication(s).
POSITION AVAILABLE: January 1, 2024. Applications received by 21 August 2023 are assured full consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
SALARY: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Phil Brannen, Chair of the Search Committee (pbrannen@uga.edu). All application materials must be submitted via the university’s job portal at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/322035 Materials to be uploaded include i) cover letter addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position, ii) curriculum vitae, iii) graduate-level academic transcripts, iv) statement of Extension philosophy and experience (uploaded under Other Documents #1), v) statement of research interests and experience, and vi) names and contact information of four professional references. Selected applicants will be required to submit a background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.
