Assistant Professor (Sustainable Soil Water System Management)

Location: Honolulu, HI

Job Type: Full-Time Permanent

Job Number: 2023-02165

Department: University of Hawai’i at Manoa – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Division: Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences

Opening Date: 10/19/2023

Closing Date: 12/3/2023 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number: TBD

Description

Title: Assistant Professor (Sustainable Soil Water System Management)
Position Number: 84416
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources-Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
Location: Manoa Campus
Date Posted: October 19, 2023
Closing Date: December 3, 2023
Monthly Type: 9-Month
Tenure Track: Tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent; (40% Instruction, 60% Research)
 
The Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) invites applicants for a tenure track position in Sustainable Soil Water System Management at the Assistant Professor level beginning August 2024.
 
In an island environment such as Hawaii, judicious management of water resources is paramount for a sustainable future. The rising demand for limited water resources among competing interests (e.g., agriculture, urban development, ecosystem health) coupled with the drying trends associated with climate change has placed deep stressors on our water resources, which demand immediate attention. The department seeks candidates who will develop and lead an internationally recognized, innovative, and extramurally funded research and instructional program that focuses on water management.
 
Qualified candidates shall possess a holistic systems-level approach towards water resource management that considers the fundamental connections at the soil-water-plant interface and the various demands on water (i.e., agroecosystem health, indigenous and biocultural practices, and urban needs) with a focus on maximizing water use efficiency and protecting water quality. The department is particularly interested in candidates who have experience with developing solutions to improve the efficiency of water use including the implementation of efficient irrigation systems, innovative and cutting-edge technologies to protect water quality and reduce nutrient movement, and alternative water supplies (i.e., waste water recycling) that can be applied to the unique soil ecosystems and cropping systems of Hawaii; and candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, minimizing barriers, and increasing equity and completion rates among different demographics. The instructional and research activities will be guided by, and incorporate, core Hawaiian values (e.g. malama aina).
 
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) is an indigenous-serving institution with a commitment to becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. UHM is classified as an “R1” institution; part of a 10 campus state-wide system that has 48,373 students enrolled (Fall 2022), and it is a uniquely structured Minority Serving Institute (MSI) and Land Grant University (LGU) within the US Western-Pacific region. UH is one of a few MSI-LGUs offering Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters, and Ph.D. STEM degrees, as well as post-graduate certificates.  Candidates whose work directly addresses one or both of these two broad areas and can apply their skills and knowledge to Tropical/Pacific Island/Hawai‘i systems are encouraged to apply.
 
The Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) is focused on:

1. improving food self-sufficiency and sustainability under a changing climate and 
2. strengthening the agriculture economy in Hawaii. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Works collaboratively with the department, and colleagues across the college and university, to build an internationally recognized, innovative, and extramurally funded research program that focuses on soil water management at multiple scales and systems.
2. Addresses major gaps in the undergraduate and graduate program through instruction of existing courses in Soil Physics, Irrigation and Water Management, and the development of graduate and undergraduate courses in the subject areas of fundamental soil water relations, irrigation technology and practices, crop water use management, and water quality. Courses may vary depending on the department’s curriculum needs.
3. Actively participates in advising and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, including undergraduate research.
4. Establishes and sustains an independent and externally funded research program in (but not limited) fundamental soil-water processes, water application technology, water- and nutrient-use efficiency, alternative water supplies for irrigated agriculture, and adaptive management practices for changing environmental conditions (e.g., drought, floods, or human-generated contaminants)
5. Provides service to the department, college, university, and community.

Minimum Qualifications 

1. A doctorate degree in Soil Physics, Ecohydrology, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, or a related discipline with an emphasis in interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches.
2. A strong foundation in soil physics, soil-water system dynamics, and practical experience working with irrigation equipment and agricultural production practices across a diversity of soil types and soil properties (i.e., temperate, tropical, volcanic soils, clay mineralogy).
3. Demonstrated active research that connects fundamental and applied science.
4. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent and cooperative research.
5. Demonstrated track record of scholarly achievement (i.e., peer reviewed publications).
6. Demonstrated a record of teaching excellence; the ability to effectively teach and mentor a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students.
7. Demonstrated experience working effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
8. Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.
9. Ability to engage successfully in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment.

Desirable Qualifications 

1. Research that provides an integrative understanding among soil-water-plant system dynamics.
2. Experience with tropical soils, volcanic soils, and soils with diverse clay mineralogy.
3. Experience with quantifying crop water needs via tensiometers, weather stations, or other technologies in vegetable cropping systems with multiple crop cycles per year.
4. Experience with delivery systems such as fertigation, chemigation, or other innovative systems for nutrient sources and other agrochemicals.
5. Demonstrated ability to garner extramural funding.
6. Demonstrated track record of curriculum development at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
7. Demonstrated leadership and service in academic institutions and/or organizations.
8. Incorporation into practice DEI principles, including Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. Please visit https://manoa.hawaii.edu/nhpol/ to learn more.

To Apply:
Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account. 

1) Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2) Curriculum vitae;
3) Statement of teaching philosophy and research interests;
4) Statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, the classroom, and/or services;
5) Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including e-mail address); and
6) Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution is required upon hire).

The application will be considered incomplete if any of the required documents are not included or are unreadable. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
Inquiries:
For further information, contact Dr. Hue Nguyen (nvhue@hawaii.edu) 

CTAHR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:
We believe that inclusiveness and excellence are interdependent. Our local and global communities are best served by ensuring all populations are represented equitably throughout CTAHR. We strive to cultivate an environment that supports equitable opportunities for every member of CTAHR to achieve individual and common goals. We will advance diversity, equity, and inclusion by: (1) promoting the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff, especially from groups that have been underrepresented or marginalized; (2) creating equal opportunities for all members of CTAHR to participate in decision-making processes and scholarly and professional development; and (3) fostering an inclusive culture where every CTAHR member feels respected and valued.  EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai’i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai’i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai’i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

Agency: University of Hawaii

Website: http://workatuh.hawaii.edu