Assistant Professor Cropping Systems Water Quality with University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI

We seek to hire a tenure track Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems Water Quality, to be appointed jointly in the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Division of Extension. Position responsibilities will be a split of 60% Extension duties and 40% research/teaching duties. The incumbent will provide leadership in research and Extension activities related to cropping systems water quality in Wisconsin and engage in teaching in related areas. An integrative and applied approach to research is expected, working with multidisciplinary teams of research scientists, Extension specialists, and community partners. Leadership is needed in the development, evaluation, interpretation, and application of new approaches for effective field, watershed and regional applications of multi-scale research.

Research will address problems related to agricultural water quality in cropping systems and associated environmental and human health impacts. This would include, but not be limited to: resource management and risk assessment of croplands, grasslands, pastures, and/or waterways; irrigation water quality and its relationship with groundwater quality (for irrigation and human use/consumption); local, watershed-scale, and regional assessment of pollution mitigation efforts and agricultural best management practices; and configuration and composition of cropping systems to eliminate or reduce contaminant and pollution loss. Additional examples of research topics include perennial intercropping systems, real-time irrigation water contaminant sampling, landscape-level cropping system composition and configuration to reduce nutrient and pesticide losses, nutrient and pesticide delivery systems and materials that reduce leaching and runoff, in-field bioremediation, enhanced on-farm filtration systems such as wetlands, and refined water conservation systems. Cropping systems currently studied in the Agronomy and Horticulture departments at UW-Madison include annual fruits, vegetables, and grains; perennial specialty crops and forages; and natural and cultivated landscapes.

Thus, the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture seek a 9-month tenure track Cropping Systems Water Quality Specialist to address problems related to agricultural water quality and associated environmental and human health impacts. The position carries a commitment to the three important university functions of instruction, research, and outreach, as well as professional and university service as appropriate to the faculty rank. The incumbent will be expected to develop and grow an extramurally-funded research and Extension program recognized at state, regional, national, and international levels. The Cropping Systems Water Quality Specialist will possess strong ‘systems thinking’ skills and the ability to integrate biological, physical, and economic variables that interact within and among agroecosystems at the field, farm, and landscape levels. The incumbent will develop and lead research and Extension programs that embody the mission of the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences. The incumbent will also develop, lead and partner with collaborative teams to obtain funding to develop, manage, and increase adoption of agroecosystems that fit the aforementioned problems. Commitment to Extension and outreach activities and documenting impact of efforts is a critical component of this position, as is mentoring, supporting and developing students in a collaborative environment. The Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture are committed to inclusivity and diversity; therefore, we strongly encourage applications from candidates who foster and promote these values.

The candidate will be expected to:
1. Develop an independent, extramurally-funded and recognized Extension and research program at the state, regional, national, and international levels.
2. Generate, translate, and apply research-based knowledge and methods to issues and problems by integrating Extension and research activities into a coherent body of work. CALS Extension-funded faculty are expected to provide leadership in the design, development, and implementation of Extension programs and to document the impact of these efforts.
3. Teach graduate and undergraduate students, commensurate with college expectations and consistent with the teaching loads of the department. Mentor students and promote their development and success in a collaborative environment.
4. Contribute to outreach and service functions of the department, college, university, and professional societies.
5. Contribute to programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department, college, and university. Promote an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities.

PhD in Agronomy, Horticulture, Soil Science, Plant Science, Crop Science, Agroecology, Hydrology or related fields is required.

Candidates must have a strong foundation in the principles and concepts of agricultural sciences, and demonstrated ability to communicate (oral and written) with community partners (e.g., farmers, landowners, agency personnel, watershed managers, crop consultants, agribusiness representatives).

Successful candidates will have a record of, or demonstrate potential for:
i) Extramural grant-writing
ii) Publications in peer reviewed journals
iii) Graduate student training/mentoring
iv) Teaching and curriculum development
v) Contribution to the outreach and service functions of CALS
vi) Promoting an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: https://diversity.wisc.edu/