Career Center

The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking applicants for an open rank tenure-leading/tenured position in Plant Theoretical Quantitative Genetics. This position will contribute to the integrated research and teaching land-grant mission of IANR, as an effective scholar and citizen, including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy.

The incumbent is expected to lead an institutionally, nationally, and internationally recognized research program in plant quantitative genetics. This program will contribute to IANR goals of improved agricultural productivity through the development and application of quantitative and statistical genetic tools and methodologies, the use of which can contribute to the development of genetically improved plant cultivars that bring added value to crops. The successful candidate is expected to conduct such research through a program that is innovative, externally funded, and collaborative.

Research opportunities include the development and refinement of quantitative genetic methodologies used to improve the prediction of genotypic performance under unfavorable environments due to climate change and genotypic by environmental interactions. Collaborations are expected across departments (e.g., Animal Science and Statistics) as well as across related IANR faculty expertise, such as computational biology, genomics, and phenomics. Opportunities for collaborations and access to plant phenomics and genomics data include: a) Within IANR collaborations with plant and animal genomic and phenomics researchers, b) External involvement in national and international plant breeding and genetics projects such as the USDA-ARS GEM Project, and c) external collaborations with private industry involved in plant genetic improvement.

Research responsibilities will include the development of a successful research program leading to publications in refereed journals, a strong record of extramural grant funding, and supervision of graduate students and post-doctoral associates.

The incumbent is expected to have a strong commitment to teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and serving the needs of both resident and distance education students.

Teaching responsibilities will include graduate and/or undergraduate level courses in advanced statistical or quantitative genetics for students across UNL-IANR units. Collaboration across UNL-IANR units (e.g., Animal Science and Statistics) on courses and course content is expected to ensure efficient and effective delivery of course content and to ensure efficient use of IANR-wide teaching FTEs. Specific teaching opportunities include undergraduate/graduate intermediate and advanced courses on breeding and selection methods and theory, and/or population/quantitative genetics. Graduate-level teaching opportunities include courses on whole-genome prediction and selection decisions, application of mixed-model methodologies to plant breeding, e.g., analysis and use of metadata sets, or other advanced quantitative genetics courses fitting the expertise and interest of the incumbent. Teaching contributions may also include leading or assisting with developing and delivering short courses relative to quantitative genetics such as matrix algebra, general mixed models, or other subject areas of interest or expertise, with opportunities for delivery to both resident and non-resident students.

The incumbent is expected to develop a strong mentoring program for graduate students with opportunities existing for mentoring undergraduate student research projects. As a College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (CASNR) faculty member, the successful candidate is expected to participate in teaching-related activities outside of the classroom, including activities leading to enhanced science literacy of the public and enhanced undergraduate recruitment.

The incumbent will adhere to all University policies pertaining to diversity and inclusion and will conduct all activities and functions of the position within an environment that promotes diversity, tolerance, and acceptance, with full appreciation of the value that diversity, tolerance, and acceptance bring to any and all educational experiences.

As appropriate to the appointment, the incumbent will develop a high-impact, nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program in quantitative genetics; seek and establish effective disciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations, including effective integration with research groups and educational programming; connect with stakeholders, agency, and/or industry partners to strengthen research and educational programming; effectively obtain and leverage external and internal support (grants, fee revenue, etc.) for research and teaching activities; mentor graduate students; publish in high-quality, high-impact peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities; and translate research-based information into learner-centered products. This includes creating scholarly, innovative, and high-impact learning programs and tools; identifying issues and opportunities focused on learner needs and emerging regional and national issues with international relevance; measuring the impact of your programs and communicating results to administrators, stakeholders, users, and media; and mentoring colleagues through professional development, translational research, grants, and professional writing.

In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.