University of California, Riverside, Cluster Hire in Pollination Biology, Assistant, Associate and Full Professor

The University of California, Riverside seeks outstanding candidates for three faculty positions in various aspects of pollinator and pollination biology to be filled at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor rank. This cluster hire currently seeks collaborative biologists examining issues related to (1) bee health (Open rank), (2) pollinator and plant interaction networks (Assistant rank) and (3) evolutionary ecology of pollination mutualisms from the plant perspective (Assistant rank). The majority of crop systems and over a third of global food production relies on animal pollination, and the value added by managed pollination to US agricultural production exceeds $20B per year. California is home to many of these crops with intensive pollination needs, and accounts for the majority of paid pollination contracts in the US. Research funding for pollinator health is available from a number of national research agencies, and well as a variety of commodity boards. Recognition of the importance of funding research in pollinator health and pollination services has been growing among these agencies in reaction to colony collapse disorder and declining wild bee populations. Maintaining agricultural productivity and natural plant communities will require enhanced knowledge of the pollination interactions in these systems, and solutions to health and management problems facing pollinators. These individuals will build on existing strengths in fundamental and applied research in pollination biology and social insects. Research to maintain agricultural productivity and natural plant communities will require enhanced knowledge of the pollination interactions in these systems, and solutions to health and management problems facing pollinators.
The University of California at Riverside (UCR) is embarking on a major new hiring initiative that will add 300 tenure-track positions in 33 cross-disciplinary areas selected through a peer-reviewed competition (ude.rcunull@gnirihretsulc). Over the next three years, we will hire multiple faculty members in each area and invest in research infrastructure to support their work. This initiative will build critical mass in vital and emerging fields of scholarship, foster truly cross-disciplinary work and further diversify the faculty at one of America’s most diverse research universities. We encourage applications from scholars committed to excellence and seeking to help redefine the research university for the next generation.
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The successful candidates will hold an academic appointment in a department selected during the recruitment, with the option of a secondary cooperating faculty appointment if appropriate. Depending upon the department of appointment, the position may include an appointment in the Agricultural Experiment Station, which includes the responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California Agricultural Experiment Station (http://cnas.ucr.edu/about/aes/).
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Dr. Timothy Paine, Chair of the Pollination Cluster Hire Search Committee at ude.rcunull@eniap.yhtomit. Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2016 and continue until the position is filled with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2016. Assistant level applicants should apply through https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00515. The Bee Health Senior applicants should apply through https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00514. Applications should include a curriculum vitae (6 pages maximum), statements of research interests (3 pages maximum), and teaching interests and philosophy (2 pages maximum). In addition, a statement of contributions to diversity will be required. Candidates applying for the Assistant Professor position will need to provide 3-4 letters of reference. Individuals applying for positions above the Assistant level will be required to provide 3-4 names and contact details for confidential references.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification. Advancement through the faculty ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input.