College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time, 12 month, Extension faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. We are looking for a candidate who will develop an integrated program in urban agriculture involving Extension, teaching, and research.

Urban agriculture encompasses a wide range of skills and expertise that includes, but is not limited to, horticulture, indoor production, environmental remediation, soil health, community and urban development, nutrition, and food systems. A new faculty member would link efforts in these areas in Stockbridge School of Agriculture, the Center for Agriculture, Food & the Environment, and the University in an urban agriculture and food systems program. They will collaborate with other faculty members in nationally-recognized sustainability efforts across campus, particularly in the School of Earth and Sustainability. They will work closely with Extension Educators serving an audience of Urban Agriculture practitioners through a multi-disciplinary outreach and education program. The incumbent will also collaborate with stakeholders in government and non-government agencies to expand and develop programs in food production for new and underserved urban audiences. A primary role will be to generate and disseminate research-based information that can be used to empower urban entrepreneurs and mission-driven organizations to grow healthy local food.

Stockbridge School has an excellent undergraduate program, Sustainable Food & Farming, both on campus and online. Students increasingly want to study urban horticulture and emerging methods for urban food production. The new faculty member will have the opportunity to modify and develop courses in urban horticulture and food systems in Stockbridge for both campus and online programs, and guide students in related internships.

Requirements

An MS with five (5) years experience is required, and a PhD preferred, in horticulture, plant science, urban agriculture, or closely related fields. Experience in Extension or public outreach required. The candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduates and fully engage in public education. The successful candidate must acquire extra-mural funding to support research and Extension programs.

Additional Information

Review of applicants will begin November 17, 2022 and may continue until the ideal candidate is identified.

Expected start date of this position is July 15, 2023.

Information for prospective faculty: https://www.umass.edu/prospective-faculty/

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit a (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research interests, (4) statement of teaching philosophy, (5) statement of Extension philosophy, (6) contact information for three professional references, and a (7) Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (see below). The department values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds, and who possess a strong commitment to contributing to the success of historically underrepresented groups. Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Daniel Cooley (dcooley@umass.edu).

The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarship, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion).

The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.