POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Assistant/Associate Professor, Controlled/Protected Environment Fruit Crop Physiology (9- month, tenure-track)

Location: Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Effective Date: Screening of applicants will begin on September 1st and continue until the position is filled. The proposed start date is January 1, 2023, or as negotiated. Both domestic and international candidates are encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities: This position is a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment in the Department of Plant Sciences. The successful applicant will:

• Establish a nationally recognized research program in fruit crop physiology with a primary focus on fruit crop production in controlled environments
• Teach courses to meet departmental needs (i.e., hydroponic production; fruit and vegetable production; graduate course related to the candidate’s area of expertise) and advise undergraduate students
• Actively participate in graduate student training and mentoring
• Provide leadership and scholarship in their research area
• Interact and work cooperatively with scientists at the University of Tennessee, other universities, government agencies, and industry
• Seek extramural funding to support research, teaching, and mentoring programs
• Publish in refereed journals, present research findings, and participate in relevant scientific societies
• Foster an inclusive environment and contribute to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Tennessee and within the Department

Potential research focus areas may include, but are not limited to: fruit crop physiology, crop responses to abiotic/biotic stresses, crop sensory and nutritional quality and flavor (including primary and secondary metabolism), resource use efficiency, gene-environment interaction, or crop development and growth regulation related to controlled/protected production.

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a doctorate degree by date of hire in Horticulture, Crop Science, Plant Science, Plant Biology, or a closely related discipline with coursework and research experience in plant physiology
• Advanced knowledge of specialty crop physiology related to field or controlled environment production systems
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and publish research in plant physiology at the whole plant level
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse faculty, students, and clientele

Desired Qualifications:

• Research experience in controlled environment or protected fruit crop systems

• Teaching and mentoring experience at the collegiate level
• Experience with grant writing
• Experience with molecular plant physiology and/or analytical techniques for plant physiology
• Postdoctoral research experience

Support: The successful applicant's lab will reside in a multi-disciplinary plant biotechnology research building. Three large, state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities that support faculty research and teaching are located on the University of Tennessee campus, totaling 22,000 square feet. Additional greenhouse, high tunnel, and field research facilities are located on University of Tennessee Research and Education Centers in Knoxville, Crossville, and other locations throughout the state. Growth chamber facilities to support faculty research are located in the Phytotron on the ground floor of the Plant Biotechnology Building.

Salary and rank (Assistant/Associate) will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available include group medical insurance, dental insurance, group and individual life insurance, long- term disability insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement plan with UT contribution, sick leave, annual leave, paid holidays and administrative leave days, unemployment compensation, educational discounts, and use of University Services.

Apply through: http://apply.interfolio.com/108797 by including 1) Statement of research accomplishments (2 page maximum) and interests that includes a description of a proposed research program in specialty crop physiology with a primary focus on fruit crop production in controlled/protected environments, 2) statement of teaching philosophy or approach (1 page), 3) statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that includes how the applicant’s research, teaching, service, and community engagement could contribute to enhancing DEI (2 page maximum) 4) a C.V., 5) unofficial copies of all college transcripts, and 6) the names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of three to five professional references. Both domestic and international candidates are encouraged to apply. Inquiries regarding the position should be directed by e-mail to the chair of the search committee: Dr. Kellie Walters, waltersk@utk.edu.