Assistant Professor - Ornamental Horticulturist

The Department of Horticulture at Auburn University is seeking applications for the position of Assistant Professor - Ornamental Horticulturist. This position will be a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position with 60% research and 40% teaching appointment. The projected start date is August 2025.

Responsibilities: The selected individual will be expected to conduct applied research that will enhance ornamental crop production and usage in Alabama and the region. The selected individual will be expected to develop a strong research program that will support the current and future needs of the Alabama Nursery and Ornamental Greenhouse industries. The research program should address relevant topics related to outdoor nursery crop production, greenhouse floriculture and potted plant production, and new and emerging systems, including highly controlled environments. Collaboration with faculty members and extension personnel at Auburn and beyond is also expected. The selected individual will be expected to publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the discipline of their research and to compete successfully for external funding to support their research program. The selected individual will be expected to mentor undergraduates in short-term research projects and to train future scientists by directly advising M.S. and Ph.D. students. The selected individual will have responsibility in both undergraduate and graduate instruction. Specific course offerings will be negotiable and based on the selected individual's expertise. Departmental, college, and university service is expected.

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Horticulture, or a closely related plant science discipline at the time employment begins. The successful individual should have experience in research on ornamental crops at the M.S. and/or Ph.D. level. The successful candidate should have experience with conventional outdoor and protected cultivation methods for production of ornamental crops, should display evidence of scholarly productivity including published peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, presentations at scientific societies, and a record of developing successful competitive grant proposals. The selected individual should have experience teaching (either as TA or instructor of record) undergraduate and/or graduate courses and must possess excellent written and interpersonal communication skills to effectively interact with diverse audiences. The selected candidate must meet eligibility requirements for employment in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and to continue working legally for the term of employment.

Desired qualifications: Experience in research on ornamental crop production at the Postdoctoral level. Experience securing extramural competitive grant funding and support of a research program as principal investigator. Experience showing teaching effectiveness and excellence in teaching scholarship. Experience in mentoring undergraduate students in research. Experience mentoring graduate students.

Applicants must apply for the position by visiting the link: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/46314 and attach the following: 1) a cover letter that addresses the experience pertinent to all of the responsibilities of the position, 2) current Curriculum Vitae, 3) copies of ALL academic transcripts, 4) statement on research philosophy and 5) statement of teaching philosophy. When prompted during the online process, please provide names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Only complete applications will be considered. To ensure consideration for the position, applicants are encouraged to apply prior to or by end of business on November 15, 2024, but the search may continue until the position is filled. Questions concerning the advertised position should be directed to: Dr. Daniel Wells, Search Committee Chair, email: wellsda@auburn.edu.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/ EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.