Assistant Professor - Agroecology

About UMass Amherst

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, the flagship campus of the Commonwealth, is a distinguished public research university recognized nationally for its academic excellence offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. The University is member of the Five Colleges consortium, which includes Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College, contributing to the region's intellectual vitality.

Job Summary

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track position in Agroecology at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is a full-time, 9-month appointment with a distribution of responsibilities including 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service. The successful candidate will be a full member of the University's faculty and will contribute to advancing sustainable agricultural systems and addressing global food and environmental challenges through their research and teaching in agroecology.

We seek a dynamic candidate with strong commitment to research, teaching, and service in agroecology, working to achieve resilient, just and sustainable food systems. The candidate will be expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in areas including but not limited to sustainable farming practices, agronomy, agroecosystem management, soil health, chemical ecology, plant-microbe interactions, ecological pest management emphasizing biological controls, climate adaptation of agricultural systems, resilience in food systems, social equity in food production, and the interaction of economic, social and biological principles in agriculture.

The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture by advancing the understanding of sustainable agricultural systems and fostering innovative solutions to global food and environmental challenges.

Instructional responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to agroecology and agricultural sciences, or related courses in the candidate's disciplinary area, across the departments within the School of Earth and Sustainability, as well as engaging with local stakeholders. The candidate will contribute to departmental, college, and university committees, and engage with producers and the broader community to disseminate research findings and promote the application of agroecological principles.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in agroecology, horticulture, plant science, plant physiology, agronomy, environmental sciences, food policy, or related fields. Degree requirements must be completed by the appointment start date. Postdoctoral experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence in agroecology and related disciplines.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including publications in reputable journals and presentations at conferences.
• Experience or potential in securing external research funding.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, with evidence of effective instruction and mentorship.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, extension specialists, industry partners, non-profits, and government agencies.

Additional Information

The expected start date of this position is September 1, 2025.

For information for prospective faculty, please visit: https://www.umass.edu/prospective-faculty/.

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit: 1) a cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position, 2) curriculum vitae (CV) detailing education, professional experience, publications, grants, and awards, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy and goals, 4) statement of research interests and goals, 5) Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below), and 6) the name, postal address, phone, and email contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applicants will begin November 15, 2024, and will continue until the ideal candidate is identified. Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Om Parkash Dhankher (parkash@umass.edu).

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan. For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.