Professor & Director of Coastal Research & Education Center

Location:
Charleston, SC
Open Date:
Dec 15, 2021
Description:

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for the position of Professor and Director of the Coastal Research and Education Center (REC).

Clemson University is a Land Grant institution designated as an R1 university with strong community engagement. The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences is deeply rooted in Clemson University’s heritage as a land-grant institution, advancing founder Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of higher education that benefits South Carolina, its people, land, natural resources and economy. World-class education, research and Extension merge for scientific discoveries of global impact, while partnerships with industry and state and federal agencies foster innovation and provide unique opportunities for faculty and students.

Clemson University’s Coastal REC is located in Charleston, South Carolina in an active vegetable production area and has served for many decades to enhance the vegetable industry. Coastal REC's mission is to conduct research to solve problems in the production and protection of vegetable and specialty crops. In collaboration with the Cooperative Extension Service, regional problem-solving and grower educational programs receive major emphasis.

The Coastal REC shares a state-of-the-art research building with the USDA-ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, including laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers and other specialized facilities for vegetable research. The Coastal REC experimental farm consists of 325 acres and provides 80 acres for research plots. All fields can be irrigated and most can be drip-irrigated using automated irrigation systems. Seven soil series of the southeastern coastal plains are represented on the farm. Faculty at the REC specialize in plant breeding and genetics, horticulture, applied entomology, specialty crops, plant pathology, and weed science. They collaborate closely with USDA-ARS scientists in the US Vegetable Lab and other faculty in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences at Clemson University.

General Duties and Responsibilities
The Director serves as the principal internal and external spokesperson for the Coastal REC and its mission. The Director will hold faculty rank and provide leadership and support to maintain and advance strong integrated research and Extension programs appropriate for the Coastal REC vision and mission. The Director will provide a vision for innovative educational initiatives; foster a collegial working environment at the Coastal REC and collaborative relationships with faculty on the Clemson University main campus and the USDA-ARS US Vegetable Lab; and strengthen working relationships with local communities, external funding agencies, research collaborators at partner institutions and other key constituency groups.


Additional Responsibilities
• Manage the REC’s daily operation, budget and resources
• Provide direct supervision of support staff
• Provide leadership and oversight of Extension and Experiment Station activities at the REC
• Mentor researchers and provide vision for research initiatives
• Establish a foundation for active and sustainable fundraising
• Improve and expand Coastal REC infrastructure through successful fundraising and project guidance
• Foster diversity and inclusion among students, faculty and staff

Qualifications:

Clemson University seeks a strategic and visionary scientist to lead Coastal REC. The successful candidate will have experience in a premier academic setting and can serve as a strong advocate for faculty, staff, and students. The candidate will also have demonstrated accomplishments, impacts, and programmatic vision of relevance to the research and Extension programs at the Coastal REC.

Additional Desired Qualifications Include:
• Influential leadership skills including supervisory and budgetary experience
• Ability to build support for initiatives through engagement with stakeholders and industry
• Strong communication skills and capacity to inspire others
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment
• Understanding of fundamental and applied research opportunities across the range of disciplines represented within Coastal REC
• Demonstrated commitment to research and/or Extension as illustrated by achievements in grants, scholarship and academic reputation in the field
• Mentoring skills that encourage faculty to achieve their highest potential
• Ability to create and maintain appropriate alliances with the diverse stakeholders

Education
The successful candidate will have earned a Ph.D. in an agriculture-related discipline and achieved a record of scholarly activity warranting appointment at the rank of tenured Professor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University.

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, please apply by January 21, 2022. This position will be posted until it is filled. 

Applications should include 1) a detailed curriculum vitae, 2) a letter of interest that addresses the requirements described above and the applicant’s motivation to apply, 3) a statement of vision (2-page max) for the Director role at the Coastal Research and Education Center including leadership style and values, and diversity, and 4) names, titles, and contact information for at least three references. All application materials are required to be submitted electronically via http://apply.interfolio.com/100289. 

Inquiries and nominations can be submitted confidentially to Dr. Carlyle Brewster (carlylb@clemson.edu) or Dr. Matthew Hersom (mhersom@clemson.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.