Position Summary
The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering invites applications for a part-time (0.75 FTE), 12-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position.
As part of a cluster hire of three positions at OSU addressing water quality, the Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering is recruiting for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Agricultural Water Management and Irrigation Engineering. This position will strengthen OSU’s extension and research mission in the field of irrigation and agricultural water use. The position will strengthen the ties between the statewide Extension Stations and the Department of Biological & Environmental Engineering and strengthen our already strong reputation at the intersection of agricultural innovation and water resources research. The position provides for a statewide irrigation specialist who will work with Oregon’s growers to improve water-use efficiency, sustain agricultural production and protect our water resource. This position will address the stated goals of our unit, the College of Agricultural Sciences, extension service, and the university as a whole while addressing priorities of national and global relevance. This position will directly strengthen Oregon’s agricultural competitiveness and resilience through interactions with the state and regions many stakeholders while promoting effective strategies for efficiently utilizing Oregon’s water resources.
The position fills a pressing need in irrigation extension within the pacific northwest. Oregon had been without a statewide irrigation Extension Specialist for more than a decade, and this position will more deeply connect water research on campus with the thriving stakeholder and grower community across Oregon.
Activities of the incumbent position may include but are not limited to: Efficient agricultural water use/reuse; Irrigation system design and maintenance; Irrigation technology development, evaluation and assessment; Outreach and extension to agricultural stakeholders; Basin-scale water management; Food-energy-water nexus; Agricultural resiliency and sustainability; Coordinating education and training events.
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. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audience.
Position Duties
1) Supervisory Responsibilities (10%)
2) Extension (70%): Develop a statewide extension presence, start and maintain applied irrigation research in support of the extension activities.
3) Teaching: (10%): develop and deliver 1 course per year related to agricultural water management.
4) Service (10%): provide service to the department, College, OSU, and the profession through participation on committees, organizes sessions at profession meetings, and similar activities.
The appointee will be expected to generate external grants and/or contracts for any appointment during the summer months. The appointee will be expected to be responsive to and contribute to OSU initiatives for promoting student success and enhancing diversity at OSU.
Minimum/Required Qualifications
• Ph.D in Biological, Ecological, or Agricultural, Civil, or Environmental Engineering or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience in agricultural water management and irrigation engineering consistent with this PD.
• Demonstrable commitment to extension and applied research.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• 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 OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
•Experience working with stakeholders in an extension context.
•Sufficient training/experience to qualify for the Professional Engineering Examination.
•Record of/commitment to work with underrepresented/underserved students or other audiences.
•Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student successor impact underserved audiences.
•Licensed (or eligible to be licensed) as a Professional Engineer.
