Assistant Professor/Ornamental & Landscape Horticulture

New Mexico State University • Las Cruces, NM

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is searching for a new faculty member in Horticulture with an emphasis on Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture. This is a 9-month tenure-track position with a 75% teaching and 25% research and outreach allocation. The department is specifically seeking candidates interested in building upon its long-term commitment to Urban Horticulture, with a focus on Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture. The new faculty member will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring students, providing leadership in horticulture research and teaching, assisting students with job placements and internships, and co-advising the NMSU Horticulture Forum. Service to the profession and university committees is expected, as is outreach with stakeholders such as Master Gardeners, the New Mexico State Forestry Division, the New Mexico Grown Coalition, and Municipalities and Urban Planners. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and colleges, including with Agricultural Science Centers and specialists in various fields. Research areas may include sustainable landscaping, permaculture, urban food systems, climate-resilient landscape design, urban ecology, biodiversity, green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and human health and social sustainability. Collaboration with community colleges and other universities on urban horticulture programs is also possible. The position is well-aligned with NMSU's land-grant mission to address climate and water challenges, support community needs, and strengthen high-impact teaching and outreach. The candidate will also foster collaborations and participate in research teams supporting the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS). New Mexico State University is the state's land-grant institution with a large student body and a comprehensive College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The PES Department is a significant department within the college, offering concentrations in horticulture, agronomy, plant breeding, molecular biology, plant physiology, ecology, and environmental, water, and soil sciences. A faculty mentoring program is in place, and research opportunities are available across NMSU's network of Agricultural Science Centers. Advanced facilities for microscopy, tissue culture, chemical and omics analysis, and molecular biology are accessible. Opportunities exist for participation in various undergraduate and graduate training programs and collaborations with state, tribal, and federal agencies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (awarded by hire date) in Horticulture/Plant Science, Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Sustainability/Sustainable Design, Regenerative Landscaping, or a closely related field.
• Commitment to excellence and specific evidence of teaching and research experience in urban horticulture, regenerative agriculture, landscape design, or urban improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse audiences including students, academic, industry, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to publish research in leading research and academic outlets with potential to compete successfully for external research funding.
• Ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education and mentor diverse undergraduate and graduate students.
• Ability to enjoy and thrive in a diverse and multicultural collaborative environment.

Nice To Haves

• Background in experimental design and analysis.
• Postdoctoral work with attraction of extramural support.
• Demonstrated evidence of engaging students, community members, and scientists on issues relating to horticulture.
• Ability to conduct research in urban horticulture and sustainable landscapes.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses required for horticulture, agronomy and other majors including ornamental plant identification and landscape design.
• Research and teaching experience in landscape design, landscape resilience and/or productive landscapes and food systems.
• Demonstrated evidence of engaging and mentoring students.
• Ability to develop a nationally recognized program in resilient landscape design, regenerative agriculture, and/or urban agriculture.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses required for horticulture, agronomy, and other majors in the Department, potentially including Introduction to Plant Science, Hydroponics, Landscape Design, Ornamental Plants, Care and Selection of Houseplants, and Seminar.
• Develop new courses in the candidate's area of expertise at the urban-agricultural interface, such as resilient landscape design, urban improvement (urban forests, urban ecology, biodiversity, horticulture in the built environment, herbaceous and non-herbaceous plant selection, etc.) and regenerative agriculture.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Provide leadership in PES horticulture research and teaching programs.
• Assist students in job placements and internships.
• Co-advise the NMSU Horticulture Forum.
• Provide service to the profession and to university, college, and departmental committees.
• Conduct outreach with stakeholders (e.g., Master Gardeners, New Mexico State Forestry Division, New Mexico Grown Coalition, Municipalities and Urban Planners).
• Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree