Assistant Professor - Soil Health

Position Information

Description & Details:

Soil health impacts a broad range of issues facing North Dakota and is a major initiative in the state. This research position (90%) is one of several extension and research appointments hired in the state to address soil health issues. General duties and responsibilities include conducting field and laboratory research on soil utilization and land management practices that impact soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, nutrient use efficiency and cycling, and cropland and rangeland sustainability and productivity. Also, the incumbent will be required to teach classes and train graduate students in the area of soil health (10% teaching appointment).

Specific duties and responsibilities include development of a nationally-recognized research program supported by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and extramural funding sources. Research topics would cover state-wide soil-health interests that may include, but are not limited to, the effects, prevention and mitigation of soil salinity and sodicity, influences of cropping practices on soil resources, drought mitigation efforts, prevention of wind and water erosion, soil C and nutrient cycling, reclamation of disturbed lands, irrigation of croplands, and management of range, native, and wildlife production areas. Soil Science is a program within the School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNRS) that includes Range Science, Entomology, and Natural Resources Management. The candidate is expected to lend their expertise in a collaborative manner to other programs in the School, and to collaborate with scientists in other departments and institutions when appropriate. The candidate is also expected to help provide research leadership to a statewide team for North Dakota's Soil Health Initiative. Essential to the position is publishing in peer-reviewed journals; writing grants to obtain extramural funding; teaching one undergraduate course per year in the area of soil health, which may include soil microbiology, ecology, chemistry, or management, and potentially one graduate course (one semester every other year). The incumbent is expected to work with a team of soil health personnel; advising undergraduate and graduate students; communicate at a practical level with farmers, agronomists, and land managers; and work with Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, commodity groups, and the NDSU Research and Extension Centers on soil health issues.

This position is housed in SNRS. Currently, SNRS has 23 full-time faculty members, 14 research staff and strong administrative support, including a Grants Coordinator. The SNRS undergraduate program serves approximately 100 students, and graduate programs (PhD, MS, and professional MS) serve almost 70 graduate students. Available facilities include a state-of-the-art greenhouse complex, laboratory space, and access to field research locations throughout North Dakota, including seven Research Extension Centers.

Advertised Salary:

Salary is commensurate with qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in soil science or closely related discipline at the time of hiring.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and conduct original research in the area of soil health.
• Effective verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• History of project completion as evidenced by disseminating study results in leading academic journals and scientific conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and in a team environment.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching or mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
• Demonstrated ability to write grants and secure extramural funding.
• Post-doctoral or soil-related job employment.

Applicant Materials Required:

The position is open until filled. For full consideration, application screening will begin 1 September 2022. Application materials must include:

• Cover letter addressing each of the minimum and preferred qualifications
• Complete Curriculum Vitae
• A research plan (maximum 3 pages) that includes how the applicant's experience and research philosophy will allow them to establish a successful research program at NDSU, ideas for existing or potential funding, and areas of potential collaboration
• A teaching philosophy (maximum 2 pages)
• Three professional references with contact information

Please direct questions or nominations to Dr. Tom DeSutter, Search Committee Chair, by email at thomas.desutter@ndsu.edu or phone (701) 231-8690. Applicants must submit all materials through the NDSU Human Resources portal.

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the state.

NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September 2018). NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made Livability.com's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

No Smoking Notice :

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu .

Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region. (see www.ndsu.edu/inclusioncouncil/native_american_initiatives/ ).