Description & Details:

North Dakota farmers raise at least 18 different crops on about 25 million acres of cropland each year, and managing each crop presents unique challenges to maintaining and improving yields and protecting water and soil qualities. These challenges include, but are not limited to, crop nutrient management, iron deficiency chlorosis, eroded soils, and salinity and sodicity. To meet needs related to soil fertility and teaching a new generation of farmers/scientists the modern understanding of soil fertility fundamentals and challenges, the North Dakota State University (NDSU) School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNRS) Department of Soil Science is hiring a 12-month, tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in Soil Fertility.

The appointment for this position is 70% research and 30% teaching. The successful candidate will develop an independent but collaborative research program supported by external funding to advance the science of soil fertility through use of laboratory, greenhouse and/or field studies. Activities for the candidate may include, but not limited to: studies on the use of new and existing fertilizers and amendments to enhance the uptake and nutrition of crops, improving the efficiency of crop nutrient use, using laboratory methods to develop and evaluate new soil testing procedures in conjunction with field experiments, developing techniques for more efficient delivery of plant nutrients and/or liming amendments for use in no-till or modified no-till crop production systems, and using precision management to improve yields and economic gains

This position will be housed in School of Natural Resource Sciences, a multi-disciplinary unit that includes Entomology, Natural Resources Management, Range Science, and Soil Science. Currently, the SNRS has 23 full-time faculty members, 14 research staff and strong administrative support. 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 at seven Research Extension Centers.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will provide expertise and leadership in research, teaching, and service. Responsibilities and duties include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Develop a nationally recognized research program exploring soil fertility approaches and technologies to improve agricultural production and reduce adverse environmental consequences of crop nutrient use
• Secure funding to support a research program, which includes advising graduate students.
• Disseminate research outputs to the scientific community and other stakeholders, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other formats
• Teach two courses per year at the graduate or undergraduate level
• Provide service to the scientific community, to the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, and to NDSU at the University, College and School levels

Advertised Salary:

Salary is commensurate with qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Soil Science with emphasis in soil fertility or a related field with soil fertility related focus
• Experience in conducting field, greenhouse and/or laboratory studies using appropriate statistical designs
• Evidence of scholarly contributions or publication of peer-reviewed journal articles related to soil fertility
• Valid driver’s license
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of grant writing and/or successful acquisition of external funds to support their research or teaching
• Teaching experience at the University level
• Successful mentoring and/or management of students, technicians, or other personnel.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially and collaborate with a diverse set of collaborators and stakeholders (e.g. farmers, land managers and ag-industry personnel)
• Service to the discipline or university, including engagement with professional organizations

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.

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/).