The department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position.

The primary purpose of this position is to develop and lead a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program in pedology, soil genesis and morphology, and soil landscape analysis. The incumbent will apply emerging technologies, AI, machine learning, and digital tools to advance the areas of soil mapping, soil classification, soil morphology, and other related areas. Other research areas include (but are not limited to) soil degradation; hydropedology; geospatial analysis; land-use change; soil mineralogy; remote sensing; soil conservation; soil erosion; subaqueous soils; pedotransfer functions; and big data.

The incumbent is expected to develop a rigorous and innovative externally funded research program in pedology. The soil pedologist will develop mutually beneficial collaborations with CSS, CAS faculty at branch experiment stations across the state, with other Colleges within the university, as well as outside. The incumbent in this position should be able to develop active collaborations nationally and internationally, to advise graduate and undergraduate students, to engage with stakeholders interested in Oregon soils, and to be involved in service to the department, university, and the broader scientific community. The incumbent will teach a course in Soil Morphology and Classification, and two additional courses (one introductory undergraduate course and one standalone graduate course) each year. The incumbent is also expected to serve as an investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project. CSS faculty are expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internship, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. There is an expectation that, as part of the role in the college, the incumbent will embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

The CSS Department has 114 on-campus faculty and staff, and an additional 33 off-campus faculty located at branch experiment stations and county extension offices with academic homes in CSS. These faculty and staff are engaged in the department’s four missions in research, teaching, extension, and service. There are more than 125 students seeking CSS degrees ranging from the BS to PhD. As a faculty member at a land grant university, the incumbent is expected to excel in research and teaching, and to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in these areas. This position contributes to the missions of the CSS Department, the CAS, and the Agricultural Experiment Station at Oregon State University. The position will be located at the main Corvallis campus.

Oregon State University and the CSS Department are committed to maintaining and enhancing a collaborative and inclusive community that strives for equity and equal opportunity. All employees of the Department are responsible for helping to ensure that these goals are achieved. In addition, all faculty members will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out Departmental programs to ensure that all people have equal program participation opportunities.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities.

Teaching Mission: CAS faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities.

The incumbent will contribute to equity, inclusion, and diversity as part of educational delivery, advising, research, Extension, service, and/or scholarly outcomes. Outputs and impacts of efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity should be included in promotion and tenure dossiers.

Tenure: This position carries the general and specific responsibilities of a faculty member described in the Faculty Handbook and the promotion and tenure guidelines of Oregon State University. These include effective research and teaching programs, demonstrable scholarship and creative activity, service contributions, and active professional development.

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Ph.D. in Soil Science or a closely related field. Candidates must have successfully defended and obtained their Ph.D. prior to appointment.

Experience in pedology, soil genesis, soil classification, soil morphology and/or soil-landscape relationships

Teaching or teaching assistant experience in a professional setting

The ability to work as a team member with other professionals and diverse audiences, and/or experience collaborating with partners outside academia.

A publication record of research articles addressing soil science in peer-reviewed journals.

A clearly articulated plan for raising extramural funds to support research, and evidence for success in raising such funds commensurate with career stage.

Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Evidence of efforts to promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in an educational environment.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Postdoctoral experience, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience having taught courses at the undergraduate or graduate level; and/or experience developing courses or training in pedagogy.

Experience as a supervisor or co-supervisor or mentor in a research environment.

A successful track record of obtaining external funding support for research, commensurate with career stage.

Life experience, education, and/or training that broadens capacity to promote student success or impact underserved audiences.

Expertise in pedology, soil genesis, soil classification, soil morphology and/or soil-landscape relationships.

The incumbent will be expected to travel occasionally for conducting field research, sharing findings through on-site presentations, and participation in other collaborative efforts. Incumbent will conduct or direct others in outdoor pedological field work using hand-held or powered equipment under varying and sometimes inclement weather conditions.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) Statement of Research (1 page minimum)

4) Statement of Teaching (1 page minimum)

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact:
Manoj Shukla
Manoj.shukla@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.