Assistant Professor (Horticulture/Entomology) (0082684)

Title:                                Assistant Professor (Horticulture/Entomology)

Position Number:           0082684

Hiring Unit:                     College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Management (CAFNRM)

Location:                         UH-Hilo

Date Posted:                   March 27, 2025

Closing Date:                  Continuous recruitment until position is filled, first review on or about 

May 1, 2025

Salary Information:          Commensurate with qualifications and experience

  Monthly Type:                  9-Month

Tenure Track:                  Tenure

Full Time/Part Time:        Full Time 

Temporary/Permanent:   Permanent

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately August 2025, pending position clearance and availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Teach core horticulture/agronomy/entomology courses
2. Provide academic leadership in the plant science/agroecology/entomology area and advise students. 
3. Develop and modify undergraduate courses emphasizing resilient crop production, crop improvement, post-harvest handling, and system efficiencies. 
4. Facilitate opportunities for students, particularly freshmen, to link with farmers and other agricultural professionals through field trips and invited speakers. 
5. Carry out departmental and university service activities including engaging at the University Panaewa Farm.
6. Obtain extramural support for applied research that leads to publications in peer-refereed journals and outreach media. This research should evaluate the interactions and dynamics of farming practices and Hawaii’s human-influenced natural environments to facilitate development of more sustainable island agroecosystems and production landscapes.
7. Develop improved cultivation practices and innovative pest/disease management for important Hawai?i crops including papaya, taro, sweet potato, maize, ginger root, cabbage, various cucurbits, etc. and greenhouse crops.
8. Collaborate with other UH Hilo programs on interdisciplinary courses and projects related to mutual areas of interest in sustainable food and cropping systems.
9. Teach other related courses in crop production and management to support curriculum needs. 
10. Participate in campus sustainability planning efforts and internship programs, which facilitate student development of critical skill sets in agroecology and crop production and plant health management.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Ph.D. from a college or university of recognized standing in agricultural sciences, natural resource management, entomology, or related fields with an emphasis on tropical/subtropical or humid temperate region crops and their production systems. ABD may be considered, but all degree requirements must be completed prior to the date of hire.
2. Demonstrated high-quality teaching experience.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of crop science and crop improvement, farming system efficiencies, entomology, and field plot techniques.
4. Demonstrated experience in collaborative research and interests in strengthening interdisciplinary study of tropical island food security across the university.
5. Ability to teach a variety of lower- and upper-division crop production, agroecology, and entomology courses at the University level.
6. Experience with plant pest and disease management and sustainable crop production practices including conventional, organic, and integrated agricultural methods.
7. Excellent communication skills with project management experience working effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders, including students, colleagues, farmers, industry organizations, indigenous populations, and immigrants.

Desirable Qualifications 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of land use management practices, agricultural production systems, integrated pest management of tropical islanders in traditional, historic, and contemporary times.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of entomology, postharvest physiology and food safety.
3. Experience with state-of-the-art greenhouse systems, tissue culture and soils laboratories.
4. Demonstrated experience working with undergraduates in hands-on training in the field and laboratory.
5. Experience with teaching/working with minority students in Asia Pacific region
6. Evidence of scholarly achievement, such as publication in peer-reviewed journals.
7. Experience in obtaining extramural funds.
8. Experience developing and teaching distance education courses using modern technology interfaces.
9. Experience leading or participating in international research, education, or development activities.
10. Experience designing and developing curriculum and coursework in agroecology, cropping systems, and improvement.
11. Research and experience in Hawai?i, Oceania, or island Southeast Asia.
12. Familiarity with the agriculture (contemporary and historic), ecosystems, and rural communities in these regions.
13. Exemplary professional teaching record.

To Apply:  Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents.   A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. The names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three [3] current professional references
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment).

Copies of diplomas will NOT be accepted.  Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.

Please do not include any self-identifying photos they will be redacted. PLEASE REDACT REFERENCES TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND BIRTH DATE ON TRANSCRIPT COPIES.  All requested documents/information become the property of the University.  All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Inquiries: Norman Arancon, Director, CAFNRM; normanq@hawaii.edu

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status.  For more information, visit:  https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
 
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
 
 Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/