LSU AgCenter seeks Director and Professor
Position Title: 
Director and Professor
in School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences
Director and Professorin School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences
Position Description:
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and LSU College of Agriculture invite applications for Director of the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences (https://www.lsu.edu/agriculture/spess/index.php). The nationally and internationally recognized School seeks a dynamic leader with a clear vision for the future and a gift for innovation. The School Director will lead a diverse group of talented, multidisciplinary faculty and staff in fulfilling the research, teaching, and extension missions of a
Research I, land-grant university. The School Director has a 12- month appointment with joint responsibilities with the LSU Agricultural Center and the LSU A&M College of Agriculture.
Research I, land-grant university. The School Director has a 12- month appointment with joint responsibilities with the LSU Agricultural Center and the LSU A&M College of Agriculture.
The Director's primary duty is to provide leadership for developing excellence in research, extension, and teaching in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. The School Director also provides leadership in: (1) developing short- and long-term goals and strategic plans for the School; (2) recruiting and facilitating the professional development of faculty, staff, and students; (3) developing courses and curricula; (4) managing the School's human, physical, and financial resources; (5) encouraging faculty to seek extramural funding; (6) administering state, regional, national, and international programs of the School; (7) establishing working relationships with unit heads at regional research and extension centers and other academic units to support research, extension, and teaching programs; (8) evaluating the performance of the faculty and staff; and (9) promoting individual and unit excellence.
The Director represents the School's interests to the research, extension, and teaching administrators of LSU Agricultural Center and Louisiana State University and A&M College, governmental agencies, commodity groups, state, national and international groups involved in plant, environmental, and soil sciences, the rural and urban communities, and the public.
The LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture are dedicated to diversity and inclusion in programs and employment. The School Director's responsibilities are performed in a manner that is nondiscriminatory based on race, creed, color, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or veteran status. The Director reports to the Vice President for Agriculture through the AgCenter Program Leader for Plant and Animal Sciences and the LSU College of Agriculture Executive Associate Dean.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences has 27 faculty members, 22 research, extension, and teaching associates, and 3 administrative support staff members. There are approximately 120 undergraduate students and 60 graduate students. The School offers undergraduate degree programs in plant and soil systems and environmental management The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. systems, and M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in agronomy and horticulture. In the spirit of the land grant university system, the School offers students unique opportunities to gain valuable experience by working with our diverse research faculty on projects covering a broad range of plant, environmental, and soil-related topics. Our
extension faculty, with specializations in agronomy, horticulture, and weed science, work with parish agents to deliver science-based information to Louisiana citizens.
extension faculty, with specializations in agronomy, horticulture, and weed science, work with parish agents to deliver science-based information to Louisiana citizens.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The successful candidate must have a doctoral degree in agronomy, horticulture, or other closely related fields of crop science. A record of scholarly achievement in research, teaching, or extension is required. Excellence in verbal and written communication; demonstrated ability to communicate with scientific colleagues, clientele, and the public is needed. Applicants must qualify for the rank of full professor with tenure in the School and possess a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity. Land-grant university experience is preferred. The candidate should have demonstrated knowledge of national, state, and commodity.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Current benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, longterm care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort, and length of employment.
DATE AVAILABLE:
Upon completion of the selection process
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
The review of applications will begin on January 1, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Qualified candidates must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a file containing a curriculum vita, a letter of application, and a statement of administrative philosophy. (Paper, faxed, or emailed application materials will not be accepted.)
For more information, contact:
Dr. Lawrence E. Datnoff
Search Committee Chair
Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology
302 Life Sciences Bldg.
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Office: 225-578-1366
Email: ldatnoff@agcenter.lsu.edu
www.lsuagcenter.edu
Search Committee Chair
Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology
302 Life Sciences Bldg.
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Office: 225-578-1366
Email: ldatnoff@agcenter.lsu.edu
www.lsuagcenter.edu
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs
and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer board funding environments. The person must be skilled in managing diverse faculty, working with branch research stations, and communicating with stakeholders, alumni, and students. Preferred qualifications include experience in leading research or extension teams and expertise in working collaboratively with stakeholders.