Plant Sciences
Assistant Professor and Plant Cell Wall Physiologist (090218)
Position Description The Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, invites applications for a tenure-track position in plant cell wall biology. The 12-month, assistant professor position is 60% research and 40% teaching.
Responsibilities The successful candidate will be expected to establish an innovative, extramurally funded research program on the biology, development, and degradation of plant cell walls and associated ligno-cellulosic structures. Research should focus on utilization of cellulosic compounds by the emerging biofuels industries and by economically important food-animal (livestock) species. The University of Missouri has a long history of collaboration within the Division of Plant Sciences and with other teams of scientists across campus. The candidate will be expected to explore collaborative opportunities with the Interdisciplinary Plant Group, the University of Missouri Center for Sustainable Energy, and teams of scientists working on thermo-chemical conversion of biomass, pasture-based dairies, and the forage-based beef industry. Accessible to the candidate are excellent laboratory and field research facilities (both on and off-campus research centers) within the Missouri Agricultural Experiment station network.
The successful candidate is expected to participate in the undergraduate and graduate teaching and service missions of the Division of Plant Science. Teaching responsibilities include an undergraduate forage crops class, as well as a new course in bio-energy crops. Future teaching opportunities could include self or team-taught graduate courses in the candidate's area of expertise.
QualificationsThe applicant must have a Ph.D. degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Sciences or related field. Effective oral and written communications skills are required. Training in the development, degradation, biochemistry, or physiology of cell walls as it relates to the biofuels and/or food-animal industries is desirable. Post-doctoral experience is also desirable.
Applications Applications should include: electronic submission to PlantSci@missouri.edu the following items in Microsoft Word or PDF format; a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, transcripts, a list of four references and their contact information and reprints of major publications. Hard copies of required materials can be sent to:
Christa Smith, ESA
Division of Plant Sciences
1-41 Agriculture Bldg.
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Dr. Rob Kallenbach, Chair, Search Committee, at kallenbachr@missouri.edu or 573-884-2213. Job Description #: 1506453; OARS file # 090218.
Salary and Benefits Benefits available include health, dental, life and disability insurance and a retirement plan. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline Review of applications will begin February 1, 2010 and will continue until a qualified candidate is identified.
For information related to the University's background check policy, HR 504, go to the Human Resources Policy Manual available at http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/hr/manual/. The University of Missouri-Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To request ADA accommodations, please contact our ADA coordinator. (V/TTY).
MU's College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources strongly endorses the principles embodied in MU's values statement - respect, responsibility, discover, excellence http://www.missouri.edu/about/values.php. 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.
MU makes available to applicants a security report of crimes that occurred on campus over the previous three years. For a copy of this report, contact the University Police Department at (573) 882-5923 or access their web site at: http://www.mupolice.com/.
EOE/ADA/V/TTY
Date Posted: 10/08/2009