Associate/Full Professor in Plant Breeding
University of California
Davis, CA

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Associate/Full Professor in Plant Breeding,
Plant Geneticist in the Agricultural Experiment Station,
Department of Plant Sciences and
Director of the Plant Breeding Center
University of California, Davis

LOCATION: University of California, Davis, CA

RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate's research will focus on applying modern genetics and genomics approaches to breeding crops important to California and/or international agriculture. Candidates should be strongly motivated by the agricultural relevance of their research, conduct innovative research with a field component, be willing to oversee a breeding program leading to cultivar and improved germplasm development, and value the opportunity to work in close collaboration with other groups and disciplines. Their research would contribute to, and take advantage of, existing UC Davis campus strengths and infrastructure such as the Genome Center, the Seed Biotechnology Center, and the Plant Sciences farm on campus, as well as the extensive network of UC field stations. 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.

The candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, dynamic, and innovative teaching program at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and teaching of core courses in the Plant Sciences curriculum. The candidate will also teach at the graduate level within her/his area of research expertise in the Horticulture and Agronomy, Plant Biology and/or Genetics Graduate Groups. Enthusiastic and effective advising and mentoring of undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows is expected. The position will include appointment as Director of the Plant Breeding Center (PBC), which will be established by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The PBC will be an international leader in plant breeding by coordinating and promoting research and teaching programs in plant breeding at UC Davis. The Director will provide leadership to promote plant breeding across the wide range of crops important in California's agriculture. The Director will interact with commodity groups, seed and nursery companies, government agencies, professional associations, etc., to develop resources for plant breeding education and research and will foster external relations for the campus-wide plant breeding community. The Director, aided by an executive director, will manage PBC staff, coordinate interactions with multiple stakeholders, secure extramural funding, manage multi-investigator projects, develop promotional materials for the PBC and represent it in diverse public, commercial and academic venues. The Director of the Plant Breeding Center will lead in developing and enhancing both undergraduate and graduate academic programs in plant breeding and will interact with stakeholders to develop resources for plant breeding education and research (student fellowships, internships, training grants, sponsored research agreements, endowments, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have a strong and well-documented background in plant genetics and breeding, as well as a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in genetics, plant breeding, or a related discipline.  Candidates must have the ability to conduct independent, innovative research in plant breeding, and a willingness to address research areas relevant to the mission of the Agricultural Experiment Station as well as demonstrated leadership in the area of plant breeding.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY: Candidates should begin the application process by registering online at http://recruitments.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu . Candidates should include a cover letter summarizing their qualifications for the position, statements of current and future research goals relevant to this position as well as teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae, publication list, copies of three of the most important research publications, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references. For technical or administrative questions regarding the application process please email jlbailey@ucdavis.edu. For full consideration applications should be submitted by March 1st, 2013. The position will remain open until filled.

Dr. Richard Michelmore, Chair, Search Committee
Department of Plant Sciences
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8515
Telephone: (530) 752-1729
E-mail: rwmichelmore@ucdavis.edu

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse faculty community. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.