College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Plant Sciences

Assistant or Associate Professor - Turf Grass (080022)

Position Description:
Assistant or Associate Professor with responsibilities in research and teaching. This is a tenure-track faculty position with a 12-month appointment in the Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will have responsibilities for research and classroom instruction in the area of turf production and management. Teaching responsibilities will include an introductory course in Principles of Turfgrass Management and an advanced course in Golf Course and Sports Turf Management.

It is expected that an active research program will be developed to complement existing turfgrass programs. Research should focus on the aspects of turf production and management that are critical to the transitional turf grass zone in Missouri and the Midwest. The successful candidate will be expected to publish refereed and technical articles, pursue competitive and other grant funding, and supervise graduate students and post-docs in support of this research effort.

The individual will be encouraged to interact with other faculty and lead a working group to foster the academic development of the turf grass program. The University of Missouri has active programs in the plant sciences and excellent opportunities exist for cooperative investigations involving turf grass production and management. The successful candidate will interact with appropriate state and federal agencies, turf organizations and private industry, and also be expected to participate in research/outreach activities such as the Turf & Ornamental Field Day, Lawn & Turf Conference, NCR-192 and other professional meetings.

The position is based on campus with excellent field facilities located at the Turf grass Research Facility, University South Farm, located only a short distance from campus. Laboratory facilities on campus are also available.

Qualifications: The appointee must have a Ph.D. in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related discipline with education and/or experience in turfgrass production and management. The candidate must also be able to communicate and cooperate effectively with clientele groups, university research, teaching and extension personnel, and have a demonstrated capacity to participate in team oriented activities. Postdoctoral experience is desirable but not required.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary will be commensurate with training and experience. Benefits available include group health, life, dental, disability insurance and a retirement plan.

Application Procedure:
Applications should include: electronic submission in Word or PDF format a letter of application describing qualifications and career goals as well as a curriculum vitae to PlantSci@missouri.edu. Arrange to have selected reprints, copies of transcripts, and the names and contact information of at least three letters of reference mailed to:

Turf Search Committee, c/o Margie Anglen
Division of Plant Sciences
1-41 Agriculture Bldg.
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Please direct questions to Dr. Reid Smeda at 573-882-1329 or smedar@missouri.edu. The position will be open until filled, but to be assured of full consideration, all materials should be received by March 15, 2008. Job Description # 1505860; File #080022.

MU’s college of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources strongly endorses the principles embodied in MU's values statement - respect, responsibility, discover, excellence. In that context we seek to recruit and retain outstanding scholars who are: 1) committed to blending service with scholarship, 2) Leaders, 3) Good colleagues who will collaborate with others from diverse disciplines and backgrounds and, 4) flexible and adaptable in an era of rapid change.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer. To request ADA accommodations please contact our ADA Coordinator.

Date Posted:
January 28, 2008