Location: Bowling Green, KY
Category: Faculty
Posted On: Mon Jan 24 2022
Job Description:
The Department of Agriculture and Food Science is seeking applications for a nine-month, full-time position as an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture. The position will be tenure eligible with annual reappointment based on performance and availability of funds. Candidates are expected to have interest and experience in the integration of livestock, plant, soil, food, and environmental sciences. The Department is committed to educating our students concerning equity and diversity in a multicultural society. Candidates should be passionate about teaching, advising, and mentoring all students including female students, students of color, and students with disabilities. Candidates should show interest in leadership development of students through involvement in student clubs and organizations. The successful candidate will be required to assist with student recruitment and make a determined effort to interact with local, state, and national industries and associations. This is a research weighted position that will focus on holistic approaches to establish best practices for feeding the world while optimizing environmental health. Duty reassignment resulting from increased interdisciplinary research in sustainable agriculture is expected with this position. The interdisciplinary teaching and research mission of this position is intended to bridge departmental lines, including the Department of Agriculture and Food Science, the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences, the Department of Biology, and other relevant departments. Service activities may include service to the department, college, university, industry, professional groups, and outreach to the surrounding community.
Western Kentucky University has excellent farm facilities (Agriculture Research and Education Center) located four miles from the main campus. Farm facilities include a 100 head covered feedlot, a covered cattle-working area, 60 head free-stall dairy barn, milking parlor, cheese production, small ruminant barn, the Agriculture Exposition Center, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, stables, laboratory space, green houses, and composting. Facilities are located on an 814 acre farm with abundant pastures, forage and row crops, vegetable and specialty crops, beef, equine, goat, and dairy herds. The successful candidate will assist with the management of the farm operations and work with associated personnel, including livestock, crop, and horticulture technicians. The anticipated start date for this position is August 15, 2022.
Job Requirements:
Candidates must have a substantial knowledge and background in sustainable agriculture, including the integration of livestock production, forage and row crop production, food security, and environmental resources to provide sustainable high quality nutrition while optimizing environmental integrity. Candidates expected to teach courses related to sustainable agriculture. Applicants should demonstrate experience and commitment to mentoring. This candidate must have excellent written and oral communication skills, along with the ability to operate effectively in a diverse multi-ethnic/multicultural environment. Candidates must be able to function in a highly collaborative student centered environment. Educational requirements include a Ph.D. degree in an area relevant to sustainable agriculture. The successful candidate must be willing to promote multicultural education and awareness.
Additional Information:
Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.
Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.
The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Andrea Anderson, who can be contacted via email at andrea.anderson@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5398. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU''s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.
