Job Description Summary
Organization's Summary Statement:
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) invites applications for a full-time, 9-month professional track at the Assistant Clinical Professor to contribute to our Bachelor of Agriculture Science and Technology and Master/PhD in Plant Science programs. Promotion to Associate Clinical Professor and Full Clinical Professor available based on performance. We are looking for candidates with a strong background in plant science who can teach and lead efforts in the Agronomy Concentration within the Agriculture Science and Technology Major.
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture is a unique and diverse department composed of 43
outstanding faculty and instructors in Plant Biology and Genomics, Plant Pathology, Ecology, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agriculture Extension and Education, Fermentation Science, and Landscape Architecture conducting research to ameliorate the negative effects of climate change on plants and communities, to increase food access and security, to increase the efficiency of food, fiber, and/or fuel production, and to promote environmental justice. International research efforts are encouraged. The department also educates 132 undergraduate students (4 Programs), 59 graduate students (2 Programs), and 18 postdocs, and it undertakes community outreach. The University is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding, diverse faculty and staff to build upon our Land Grant missions.
COLLEGE AND CAMPUS INFORMATION:
Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland, College Park, is the state’s flagship Land Grant institution. Our 1,250-acre campus is minutes from Washington, D.C., the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. A new metro train line connects the campus to the Capital Mall. This proximity of the University to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies (USDA Beltsville, FDA, APHIS, NIH, NSF, and NOAA among others), and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations provides limitless opportunities for faculty and students. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and the world.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
The incumbent will be an individual who has extensive training in agronomic crop production. This individual must be able to work collaboratively with other PSLA Department undergraduate academic coordinators to support coordinated academic programs. An individual who seeks to collaborate on research with Department and/or Extension faculty is welcome.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• The incumbent is expected to teach a minimum of 15 credits per year, including courses in weed science and agronomy. The incumbent is encouraged to create new course(s) within the Agronomy specialty that advances the program with new technologies, such as precision agriculture or AI.
• The incumbent is expected to advise undergraduate students majoring in the Agricultural Sciences and Technology curriculum, which can fulfill teaching credit requirements.
• The incumbent will assist the program in identifying employers and organizations for students to work with during their internships.
• The incumbent is expected to engage with department or college agricultural interest clubs (e.g., Agronomy Club) and youth organizations in MD (e.g., FFA, 4-H).
• The incumbent will be expected to share their expertise by serving on graduate student committees and developing the teaching skills of undergraduate and graduate Teaching Assistants. It is also expected that this individual will participate in other duties and committees as required by the department, college, and university, and interact with organizations representing their field in the state and region.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• The incumbent must hold a Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Agronomy, or a related field before their start date.
• The incumbent will have experience in teaching at the higher education level (e.g. teaching assistant or faculty instructor).
Physical Demands:
The employee is required to perform routine office duties. The employee will be occasionally required to attend meetings in other buildings on campus, doing so may necessitate walking across campus including going up stairs.
Preferences:
• A background in Weed Science.
• Experience advising students in the area of crop production.
• An individual who is familiar with agricultural technology currently utilized in the field.
• An individual who can demonstrate advanced teaching pedagogy including using new technologies, such as AI.
Licenses/ Certifications:
N/A
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials:
- Cover letter highlighting relevant experience
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial transcripts
- Teaching Philosophy Statement, (three pages maximum)
- Teaching portfolio with examples of instructional materials and student evaluations, etc.
- Develop an example syllabus for one of the priority courses listed above.
- Contact information for three references.
Best Consideration Date: September 5, 2025
Posting Close Date: n/a
Open Until Filled: Yes
Financial Disclosure Required
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
Department
AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$35,446.93 - $132,154.77
For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regardingdisclosablebackground check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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