Assistant Professor of Translational Plant Science for Dairy Sustainability

Job Summary: The dairy industry relies on plants to feed animals, with ideal cultivars promoting animal health and productivity in systems that are sustainable in profitable, environmental, and social dimensions.
The industry is faced with environmental-related challenges, including excess nutrient excretion by animals, manure nutrient losses to the environment, greenhouse gas emissions from dairy livestock enteric methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide and CH4 emissions from soils when manure is returned to fields, all requiring potentially costly solutions.
There is the potential for using production systems to alleviate environmental challenges by fostering nutrient use efficiency and carbon sequestration.
An exciting opportunity exists to tailor cultivars used for cattle that simultaneously support animal health and productivity while mitigating negative environmental impacts.
The incumbent will generate knowledge to advance development of cultivars that will perform within next generation cropping systems, support beneficial environmental and rumen microbiome interactions, and contain novel characteristics that substantially enhance dairy system function and sustainability.
As part of their efforts, the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences and the Dairy Innovation Hub seek to fund a full time 9-month tenure-track faculty position to build an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program and an impactful teaching program that focuses on plant science research that supports animal health and productivity, including milk quantity and/or quality, while minimizing negative environmental impacts and improving profitability of dairy systems.
This position carries a commitment to the three functions of research, instruction, and outreach, as well as professional and university service as appropriate to the position and rank.
The incumbent will carry out impactful genetics, physiological, and/or breeding research to understand basic biological processes and develop practical solutions to improve cultivars used for dairy animal feed and other uses in production systems.
Research will support animal health and productivity, rumen function, and will promote climate health, farm profitability and sustainability.
The portfolio of projects should include some with near-term positive impacts to farmers.
It is anticipated that the incumbent will utilize various plant species and system types in their research.
The individual will be part of the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).
The incumbent will be expected to contribute to teaching departmental undergraduate major(s) and other related plant science undergraduate majors and be a trainer in the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics graduate program among other potential graduate training units on campus.
Responsibilities: Perform research, teaching, and outreach in an area of expertise in ways that are relevant to dairy agriculture and related fields.
Develop and carry out a vigorous extramurally-funded research program recognized at state-, national-, and international-levels for innovative approaches to advance dairy-related land and water stewardship.
The candidate will work independently and within a collaborative research team to support the mission of CALS and the Dairy Innovation Hub.
Teach graduate and undergraduate students, commensurate with college expectations and consistent with the teaching loads of the department.
Mentor students and promote their development and success in a collaborative environment.
Facilitate interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts within the department, college, campus, and federal labs.
Contribute to outreach and service functions of the department, college, university, and professional societies.
Consistent with the mission of the University of Wisconsin System, the candidate will be committed to service to the community, state, nation, and world for the benefit of all.
Contribute to programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department, college, and university.
Promote an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities.
Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison.
We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community.
We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
Education: Required PhD in breeding, plant genetics, plant physiology, plant sciences, or closely related field.
PhD must be received by the start date of the position.
Qualifications: The candidate must have a strong knowledge base in breeding, plant sciences, or related fields.
The candidate must document strong research experience, and demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, communicate (oral and written form), publish, and secure competitive funding.
Work Type: Full Time: 100% It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Anticipated Begin Date: JUNE 01, 2024 Salary: Negotiable ACADEMIC (9 months) Additional Information: Applicants can find relevant information about the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at https://pasdept.
wisc.
edu/ Any questions regarding the position may be directed to the search committee chair, Natalia de Leon (ndeleongatti@wisc.
edu), or 608-770-5356.
University of Wisconsin-Madison CALS Mission: To advance and share knowledge, discover solutions, and promote opportunities in food and agriculture, bioenergy, health, the environment, and human well-being.
Vision: To lead in science, innovation, and collaboration that improves life and sustains the natural world.
UW-Madison is one of the world's premier research universities, with more than 16,000 faculty, staff, and graduate assistants, who, collectively, support the research, teaching, and public service missions of the university.
The 963-acre campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison is consistently ranked among the top 5 small U.
S.
cities to live in because of its cultural and ethnic diversity, affordable cost of living, low unemployment, and excellent public schools.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison attracts a diverse body of outstanding graduate students from around the world and provides state-of-the art research and teaching facilities, both in Madison and at multiple agricultural research stations throughout the state.
Madison is a picturesque city with a strong economy and a vibrant cultural environment UW Agricultural Research Stations: The UW-Madison Agricultural Research Station Network is comprised of 12 unique sites.
These sites sit on 8000 acres of cropable farmland that represents many of the soil types found in the State of Wisconsin.
The facilities available to researchers and support staff are valued at over $45 million, and house over $8.
5 million worth of farming and research equipment.
The research mission of the Agricultural Research Stations is supported by approximately 110 permanent employees and 50 seasonal staffers.
The UW-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environments for all students, faculty, and staff.
This newly-created position is supported by the Dairy Innovation Hub https://dairyinnovationhub.
wisc.
edu/ in CALS.
The Hub is an exciting initiative at three leading UW agricultural schools (UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls) to foster dairy research, education, and outreach in the priority areas of Stewarding Land and Water Resources, Ensuring Animal Health and Welfare, Growing Farm Businesses and Communities, and Enriching Human Health and Nutrition.
The Assistant Professor will join a world-class university and a college with diverse expertise in agricultural and life sciences.
The Wisconsin dairy sector has a strong collaborative relationship with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is highly motivated to help explore and develop innovative solutions to the industry's challenges.
As a Hub-supported position, the faculty member will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other Hub researchers, pursue Hub funding opportunities, and participate in Hub programs.
UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
A criminal background check will be conducted prior to hiring.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is March 5, 2024; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.
How to Apply: Apply via Jobs@UW, PVL# 292810.
Applications must be received through UW-Madison's online application system.
To begin the process, click "Apply Now.
" Applicants should upload a single PDF file that includes: A.
) Cover letter B.
) Curriculum vitae C.
) Names and contact information of three references that are willing to write a letter of recommendation in support of the candidate D.
) Two-page statement of research interests and future research plans, highlighting the candidate's fit to this position, areas of work and how they would complement the departmental expertise E.
) Two-page statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy, approaches, and experiences F.
) Representative samples of published papers (3 max.
) The deadline for assuring full consideration is March 5, 2024; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.
Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct.
To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application.
Employment will require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct.
To be considered, applicants must upload a signed 'Authorization to Release Information' form as part of the application.
Contact: Natalia De Leon Gatti ndeleongatti@wisc.
edu 608-770-5356 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1.
See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title: Assistant Professor(FA040) Department(s): A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/PLANT & AGROECOSYSTEM SCI Employment Class: Faculty Job Number: 292810-FA The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.
We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Employment will require a criminal background check.
It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released.
See Wis.
Stat.
sec.
19.
36(7).
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