Assistant Professor of Soil-Plant-Water Interactions

with a preferred emphasis in quantifying and modeling water movement through the soil-root-plant-atmosphere continuum in agricultural and managed ecosystems. This is an academic year (9-month), tenure-track Assistant Professor position that includes an appointment in the California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Faculty members who hold an Agricultural Experiment Station appointment have a responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California Agricultural Experiment Station. Participation in outreach programs and performance of university and public service are also expected.

The appointee is expected to establish a competitively funded research program focused on soil–plant–water interactions. The program should advance fundamental understanding of interactions and addresses critical and emerging challenges in sustaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem functioning under a changing climate and increasingly variable and limited water supplies. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: root-zone processes, root water uptake, and soil–root–plant hydraulics; interactions among soil properties, root systems, and plant water status; plant responses and adaptation to environmental stresses, including drought, heat, salinity, and irrigation with marginal-quality water; crop consumptive water use, water productivity, water footprints, and resilience; effects of soil and crop management practices on soil water dynamics, root-zone conditions, plant-available water, and the regulation of plant water use; and the development and integration of in situ, proximal, and remote sensing technologies, data-driven approaches, and process-based models to understand and predict soil–plant–water processes across spatial scales, from the rhizosphere and root zone to fields, farms, and watersheds. Applications are particularly encouraged from individuals researching topics that link these processes to California priorities such as sustainable groundwater management, CV-SALTS, Agricultural Order, and climate extremes.

The department's current teaching load is approximately 2.5 undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year, and the applicant will be expected to teach courses in the area of soil-plant-water interactions. Example courses include HYD 124 (Plant-Water-Soil Relationships), SSC 107 (Soil Physics), and a new upper-level hydrology course in topics such as Root-Zone Science: Soil–Water–Plant Dynamics from Roots to Landscapes, and a graduate course on the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum or root-zone processes and modeling. The appointee will be expected to advise and mentor undergraduate students, and mentor M.S. and Ph.D. students through graduate groups such as Hydrologic Sciences, Soils and Biogeochemistry, and Horticulture and Agronomy, and contribute to curricular development in the department. Participation in and development of public outreach and/or community engagement programs, and performance of departmental, university, and public service is expected.

This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension Specialists and Advisors, partners in allied industries, or other appropriate public stakeholders. Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the Statement of Research Accomplishments and Interests. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review. Full-time Equivalent (FTE) This position will be recruited at the Assistant Professor rank.

This is a tenure-track academic year (9-month) position. Availability of Space and Resources Office and laboratory space will be provided by the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building on the UC Davis central campus. The appointee will also have access to campus field research facilities, greenhouses and controlled-environment facilities, UC Davis Core facilities, and the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources network of Research and Extension Centers (e.g., Kearney and West Side, Hopland, Intermountain, South Coast, Research and Extension Centers). Start-up funding will be provided based on the programmatic needs of the successful candidate.

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Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application) Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Soil Science, Hydrology/Ecohydrology, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Agronomic Sciences, Agricultural or Biological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biophysics, Earth System Science, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, or a closely related field. Degree must be awarded by start of appointment. Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position) • Postdoctoral experience is preferred. • Evidence of research excellence is expected. • The candidate should have the ability to develop and instruct undergraduate and graduate courses and the ability to develop and conduct extramurally funded research in soil-plant-water interactions. Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter (Optional) Statement of Research - Statement of research accomplishments and future research plans relevant to soil-plant-water interactions Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form . Statement of Teaching - Statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy Publications - Up to three publications Transcripts (if applicable - please read description below) - Transcripts if the applicant is within five years of Ph.D. degree (Optional) Reference requirements 4 required (contact information only) Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07987 Help contact: [email protected] About UC Davis As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

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As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. Job location Davis, CA Assistant Professor of Soil-Plant-Water Interactions . Position Description The Department of Land, Air and Water Resou