Teaching Assistant Professor

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for a 9-month, non-tenure track Teaching Assistant Professor of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences. The successful candidate will teach classes to support undergraduate degree programs in Crop Science (CPSC) and Environmental, Soil, and Water Sciences (ESWS). Initial teaching assignments will include CSES 12003 Introduction to Plant Sciences, CSES 21033 Crop Science and accompanying lab (CSES 21001 L), ENSC 10003 for ESWS Majors, CSES 23002 Professional Development in CSES, and production courses focused on major Arkansas crops. Teaching responsibilities will be adjusted to meet departmental curriculum needs and candidate expertise. Opportunities exist for the development of online courses to complement the departmental curriculum. The successful candidate will become an integral part of creating a positive first-year experience for students and be involved in departmental curriculum design, curriculum management and implementation, and program assessment. The successful candidate may also assist with undergraduate advising, honors program advising, and advisement of student clubs. Involvement in recruiting activities and events is expected. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences faculty are expected to contribute to a positive work environment and foster collegiality among peers. It is expected that the successful candidate will explore and foster multidisciplinary collaborations internally and externally and engage with parents, stakeholders, and other academic institutions when appropriate. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. This is an in-person position. Most University classes are offered face-to-face and this role requires regular on-campus presence to support high-quality instruction and student learning. Participation in selected departmental or programmatic activities that advance teaching quality and student success is also expected, consistent with the responsibilities of non-tenure track faculty as defined by the academic appointment.

Requirements

• An earned Ph.D. in crop science, soil science, weed science, agronomy, environmental science, or a closely related agricultural science discipline by the date of appointment.
• Demonstrated successful college-level teaching experience in crop science, plant science, soil science, environmental science, crop production, or a closely related field.
• Experience teaching both lecture and laboratory courses.
• Knowledge of effective, evidence-based teaching methods and student-centered learning practices.
• Proficiency using a learning management system, such as Blackboard or Canvas, and instructional technologies appropriate for college-level teaching.
• Experience mentoring or advising undergraduate students.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with students, faculty members, researchers, agricultural stakeholders, and other clientele groups.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty members and other professional colleagues.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, collegial, and supportive learning and working environment.
• Must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of four years of successful college-level teaching experience in crop science, plant science, soil science, environmental science, crop production, or a closely related field.
• Successful record teaching courses comparable in content and scope to Introduction to Plant Sciences, Crop Science and its accompanying laboratory, Environmental Science for majors, Professional Development in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, or production courses focused on major Arkansas crops.
• Experience independently serving as the instructor of record for college-level lecture and laboratory courses.
• Developing or substantially revising college-level courses, laboratory exercises, instructional materials, or curricula.
• Delivering online or hybrid college-level courses.
• Curriculum design, curriculum management, student-learning assessment, and academic program assessment.
• Experience advising undergraduate students regarding academic requirements, degree progress, career development, or graduate and professional opportunities.
• Evidence of successful advising of undergraduate student organizations, disciplinary clubs, competitive teams, or honors students.
• Experience supporting undergraduate recruitment, retention, first-year engagement, and student success initiatives.
• Knowledge of production practices for major Arkansas crops, including rice, soybean, cotton, corn, or wheat.
• Evidence of successful collaboration with Extension personnel, agricultural producers, crop consultants, industry representatives, government agencies, or other agricultural and environmental stakeholders.
• Evidence of excellence in college-level teaching, such as strong teaching evaluations, teaching awards, peer evaluations, documented improvements in student learning, or other recognized teaching accomplishments.

Responsibilities

• Teach classes to support undergraduate degree programs in Crop Science (CPSC) and Environmental, Soil, and Water Sciences (ESWS).
• Teach CSES 12003 Introduction to Plant Sciences, CSES 21033 Crop Science and accompanying lab (CSES 21001 L), ENSC 10003 for ESWS Majors, CSES 23002 Professional Development in CSES, and production courses focused on major Arkansas crops.
• Develop online courses to complement departmental curriculum.
• Create a positive first-year experience for students.
• Be involved in departmental curriculum design, curriculum management and implementation, and program assessment.
• Assist with undergraduate advising, honors program advising, and advisement of student clubs.
• Involve in recruiting activities and events.
• Contribute to a positive work environment and foster collegiality among peers.
• Explore and foster multidisciplinary collaborations internally and externally.
• Engage with parents, stakeholders, and other academic institutions when appropriate.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance.
• Create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
• Support high-quality instruction and student learning through regular on-campus presence.
• Participate in selected departmental or programmatic activities that advance teaching quality and student success.

Benefits

• University contributions to health insurance
• University contributions to dental insurance
• University contributions to life insurance
• University contributions to disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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