Assistant Professor - Agronomy

Description

The University of Central Missouri, Department of Agriculture, is seeking an energetic and flexible Assistant Professor with the ability or potential to teach applied courses in Agronomy and Precision Agriculture. This 9-month, tenure-track appointment will be primarily student-centered with teaching, research, and outreach duties. In addition to effective teaching, the successful candidate will mentor students; publish in peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities; seek external funding opportunities; and translate research-based information into student-centered active learning opportunities. The candidate is expected to contribute to the department, college, university, and discipline with appropriate service.

Teaching responsibilities may be in the following: crop science, soil science, soil and water conservation, weed and pest management, and/or precision agriculture applications. Courses may be delivered through traditional face-to-face, lecture/lab, and/or online.

The University of Central Missouri Department of Agriculture aims to develop well-rounded agriculture students with knowledge and skills to guide them in finding career success in the agriculture industry. Hands-on learning opportunities and science-based curriculum are cornerstones of the department. Students majoring in the department focus on Agribusiness Management, Agronomy, Animal Science, Horticultural Science or Agricultural Communication. The department also provides service courses for students majoring in Career and Technical Education, with emphasis in Agriculture Education. Indoor and outdoor agronomic learning laboratories are available through production spaces on the university farms and through department-managed greenhouses. On-campus greenhouse facilities provide over 5,000 sq. ft. of laboratory learning space utilized for classes, research, and department-sponsored student organization activities.

Examples of Duties

• Keep current in your discipline.
• Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices.
• Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.
• Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.
• Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.
• Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours.
• Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback.

• Authoring academic writings.
• Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.
• Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.

• Attending department/college/university meetings
• Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.
• Assisting with student recruitment.
• Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.

• Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s).
• Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation).
• Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations.

• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university.
• Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Weed Management, Precision Agriculture, or Plant Science, or closely-related discipline. Candidates with ABD will be considered.
• Experience teaching at the collegiate level required.
• Experience in research related to agronomic sciences.
• Evidence of teaching excellence in laboratory-based classes.
• Potential for scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Potential for success in competitive grant writing and leadership.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and a willingness to travel.
• Must have or be willing to obtain Missouri certified public operator license within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful online teaching experience.
• Experience or training in precision agriculture equipment, technologies and applications.
• Familiarity with regional agronomic practices and challenges.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• May lift, carry and/or otherwise move items weighing up to 40 pounds on an intermittent basis.
• Ability to conduct agronomic research trials.
• Ability to work in a greenhouse environment.
• Exposure to fumes and/or chemicals.

Supplemental Information

Candidates must complete an on-line faculty profile found at https://jobs.ucmo.edu and apply to position 998326.

Candidates should submit (1) a cover letter that outlines the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and experience for the position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) unofficial transcripts for all awarded degrees; (4) teaching and research philosophies and (5) include on faculty profile the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of a minimum of three professional references. These documents must be attached to the faculty profile at the time of application. Only completed online faculty profiles with the attached documents will be accepted for this position.

If contacted for a campus interview, three (3) formal letters of reference and official transcripts for all awarded degrees will be required to issue the contract. The finalist chosen for this position will be subject to criminal background and educational verification checks.

Direct inquiries regarding this position to: Search Chair, Dr. Michelle Santiago (santiago@ucmo.edu) or 660-543-4121.

For information about the on-line application process contact Human Resources at jobs@ucmo.edu or (660)543-4255.

UCM requires that all faculty applicants complete the on-line faculty profile. All documents requested must be attached to the profile at the time of application. Only completed faculty profiles with attached documents will be accepted for this position.

Application Deadline:

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by February 27, 2026.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our faculty and staff are the university’s most valuable asset, and our goal is to provide a robust Total Rewards Program designed to help them maintain a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle.

Highlights from UCM's total rewards package for full-time employees include:

• 30.25% (staff) and 6% (faculty) defined retirement contribution, paid by the university;

• Voluntary Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) programs (403(b) and 457(b)) that allow eligible employees to make additional pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan;

• Employees can earn up to full tuition (15 credit hours) for themselves per academic year. Full-time employees are also eligible for up to $175 towards non-credit courses each fiscal year. Employees can earn up to full tuition for their dependents;

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans that begin on the first of the month following your date of hire. Basic dental and vision insurance paid at 100% by the university;

• Available Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts;

• University-paid basic life insurance (including accidental death and dismemberment) and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage;

• Generous leave accruals that begin accruing on your start date, plus 14 paid holidays per year.

• The UCM Childcare Center on the Warrensburg campus can provide faculty, staff, and students quality care for their children ages six weeks to 10 years.

• The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) is free for all employees and is located on the Warrensburg campus.

• An Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees and their immediate family members to help assist with personal challenges you may face in your daily life;

• UCM offers an Employee Discount Program through Working Advantage.