Assistant Professor Turfgrass Science – Environmental Stress Physiology and Management

11-month, tenure-track position, 70% research and 30% extension

Oklahoma State University

Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Description:

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time, eleven-month, tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science. The successful candidate is expected to establish an effective research and extension program related to turfgrass environmental stress physiology and management with emphasis on water, temperature, and salinity issues, contributing to the sustainable use of turfgrasses in society. Review of applicants will begin after July 15, 2021, and will continue until a candidate is hired, with a potential starting date on or after September 1, 2021. For more information about the department, please visit: http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/.

Responsibilities:

Research: The incumbent will develop a nationally recognized research program in turfgrass science, physiology, and management with emphasis on water, temperature, and salinity stress response. They will participate as part of the OSU turfgrass breeding and development team with emphasis on bermudagrass drought resistance, water use, freeze tolerance, and salinity tolerance. Research emphasis may also include turfgrass irrigation and water management at the local, state, regional, and national scales. Research efforts towards the development of best turfgrass and landscape management practices resulting in improved water use and conservation in rural and urban environments may also be conducted. All research efforts should align with the goals and objectives of the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The incumbent will publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The incumbent will actively seek and garner external, competitive funding through research grants and contracts.

Extension: The incumbent will develop a nationally recognized extension program in turfgrass management with emphasis on turfgrass response to environmental stress. Extension emphasis areas should include turf grass drought resistance, freeze tolerance and adaption to temperature stress, turf grass irrigation management, including water use, water conservation, and water quality, and turf grass soil salinity management. Professional extension services will be provided to clientele including but not limited to: golf course managers, professional lawn care operators, sod producers, seed producers, sports field managers, turfgrass and landscape industry professionals, and governmental decision and policy makers. The incumbent will contribute to the consumer/homeowner horticulture extension team. They will provide educational programming for Extension personnel, the Master Gardener program, the Oklahoma Gardening television show, and other appropriate outlets. Development and authorship of Extension publications is expected. The incumbent may also publish Extension related content in peer-reviewed Extension focused journals. It is also expected that they will actively seek and garner external, competitive funding through extension grants and contracts.

General: The incumbent is expected to recruit, mentor, and serve as major advisor and graduate committee chair to graduate students in the Horticulture MS graduate program and/or the Crop Science, Plant Science, or Environmental Science interdisciplinary PhD programs. They will contribute to graduate education through service on graduate student committees and they will be expected to periodically serve on Department, Division, and/or University committees. The incumbent will work cooperatively with OSU faculty and staff and serve as a member of the OSU interdisciplinary turfgrass team and the OSU bermuda grass breeding and development team. Regular engagement in professional development opportunities and activities will be expected as well as completion of all required Departmental, Division, and/or University level required annual trainings.

Qualifications:

Required – A PhD in Horticulture, Crop Science, Plant Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline, obtained by the time of hire. Candidates that have or will have earned the PhD degree by December 2021 are encouraged to apply.

Preferred – At least three years of previous experience in turfgrass science research and extension. Evidence of academic scholarship through publication of peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and Cooperative Extension Service publications. Evidence of turfgrass science grant management by serving as the principal investigator (PI) or Co-PI of a successfully funded competitive grant proposal.

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Procedures: Applications must be submitted through the Oklahoma State University jobs website at: https://jobs.okstate.edu by searching on requisition 9470.

Applicants should submit: 1) a detailed letter of interest and fit for the position, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) names and contact information for five professional references, and 4) official or unofficial graduate program transcripts. All application materials should be submitted through the Oklahoma State University jobs website at: https://jobs.okstate.edu

Review of applications will begin after July 15, 2021. Inquiries concerning this position may be sent to the position search and screening committee chair, Dr. Dennis Martin, at dennis.martin@okstate.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Oklahoma StateUniversity, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicablefederal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action.Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for allindividuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color,national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, genderidentity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment,educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information,visit https://eeo.okstate.edu.