Department Contact: Dennis Lozada, 575-646-5171, dlozada@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is searching for a new faculty member in Horticulture with an emphasis on Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture.

Position Details

Position Title: Assistant Professor/Ornamental & Landscape Horticulture

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 301400-PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is a bargaining unit position with the National Education Association (NEA).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is searching for a new faculty member in Horticulture. The 9-month tenure-track position is 75% teaching and 25% research and outreach. PES is specifically seeking candidates who are interested in building upon our long-term commitment to Urban Horticulture, with emphasis on Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture. The new faculty member will teach undergraduate and graduate courses required for horticulture, agronomy, and other majors in the Department, potentially including Introduction to Plant Science, Hydroponics, Landscape Design, Ornamental Plants, Care and Selection of Houseplants, and Seminar. Development of new courses in the candidate's area of expertise at the urban-agricultural interface, such as resilient landscape design, urban improvement (urban forests, urban ecology, biodiversity, horticulture in the built environment, herbaceous and non-herbaceous plant selection, etc.) and regenerative agriculture is encouraged. The incumbent will mentor undergraduate and graduate students, provide leadership in PES horticulture research and teaching programs, assist students in job placements and internships, and co-advise the NMSU Horticulture Forum. Service to the profession and to university, college, and departmental committees is expected. Outreach with stakeholders (e.g., Master Gardeners, New Mexico State Forestry Division, New Mexico Grown Coalition, Municipalities and Urban Planners) is also expected. The faculty member will have opportunities to work across departments and colleges, including the off-campus Agricultural Science Centers, with specialists in horticulture, soils, agribusiness, agricultural and extension education, crop breeding, economics, plant genetics, plant physiology, molecular biology, human nutrition, renewable energy, economics, and social sciences. Research areas may include sustainable landscaping and permaculture, urban food systems, climate resilient landscape design, urban ecology and biodiversity, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions or human health and social sustainability. There is also potential for research collaboration with community colleges and other universities that offer specialized urban horticulture programs focusing on sustainable plant production, green infrastructure, and landscape management in urban and developed environments.
The State of New Mexico and NMSU provide unique and diverse opportunities for teaching, research, and outreach related to urban horticulture. NMSU's Horticulture program offers training in Hydroponics, Greenhouse and Nursery Management, Turfgrass Management, and Ornamentals, directly applying to urban landscapes. Las Cruces, New Mexico's second largest city and one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the state, currently faces classic urban horticulture challenges such as climate adapted plant material, poor soils, heat islands, water scarcity and irrigation efficiency and demand for urban green spaces in the built environment. There is an active Extension/outreach Urban Horticulture program that provides robust support for urban residents. The faculty position is well-aligned to NMSU's mission as a land-grant institution, to address urgent climate and water challenges, support community needs, strengthen high-impact teaching in degree programs in horticulture and the Department's existing outreach, research, and teaching capacity.
The candidate will also be expected to foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS).

New Mexico State University is the state's land-grant institution, with more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students on the main campus in Las Cruces and four satellite campuses. The Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) Department is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, which is home to seven other academic departments, five extension departments, and approximately 150 faculty members and 1,800 students. PES consists of approximately 46 faculty and research scientists, and 160 undergraduate and 60 graduate students (MS and PhD). Teaching and research concentrations in PES include horticulture, agronomy, plant breeding and genetic improvement, molecular biology, plant physiology, ecology, and environmental, water, and soil sciences. An active mentoring program is in place for new faculty to onboard with senior faculty and successfully progress through the faculty ranks.

Research opportunities exist across NMSU's network of 12 Agricultural Science Centers located around the state, including several facilities near the NMSU main campus. A new container farm laboratory is housed on the NMSU-Grants campus and serves as a prototype for economic growth and a means to combat climate change, food insecurity, and inequities in STEM education. Core facilities for microscopy, tissue culture, advanced chemical and omics analysis, and molecular biology are available to complement laboratory, greenhouse, and field experimental facilities. Opportunities exist to participate in undergraduate and graduate training programs sponsored by USDA, NIH, NSF, and HSI/MSI programs. Additionally, NMSU actively participates with numerous state, tribal and federal agencies. For more information on PES, see https://pes.nmsu.edu.

The Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) Department is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, which is home to seven other academic departments, five extension departments, and approximately 150 faculty members and 1,800 students. PES consists of approximately 46 faculty and research scientists, and 160 undergraduate and 60 graduate students (MS and PhD). Teaching and research concentrations in PES include horticulture, agronomy, plant breeding and genetic improvement, molecular biology, plant physiology, ecology, and environmental, water, and soil sciences. An active mentoring program is in place for new faculty to onboard with senior faculty and successfully progress through the faculty ranks.

*** Application materials must include: (a) curriculum vitae; (b) statement of teaching philosophy and experience (2-page maximum); (c) statement of research interests (2-page maximum); (d) contact information for three references, and (e) undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Ph.D. (awarded by hire date) in Horticulture/Plant Science, Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Sustainability/Sustainable Design, Regenerative Landscaping, or a closely related field. The successful candidate will show a commitment to excellence and specific evidence of: (1) teaching and research experience in urban horticulture, regenerative agriculture, landscape design, or urban improvement; (2) demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse audiences including students, academic, industry, and stakeholders; (3) demonstrated ability to publish research in leading research and academic outlets with potential to compete successfully for external research funding; and (4) an ability to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education and mentor diverse undergraduate and graduate students. The department's student population is diverse and multicultural, and the ability to enjoy and thrive in this collaborative environment will be necessary.

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 
Background in experimental design and analysis; postdoctoral work with attraction of extramural support; demonstrated evidence of engaging students, community members, and scientists on issues relating to horticulture; ability to conduct research in urban horticulture and sustainable landscapes; ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses required for horticulture, agronomy and other majors including ornamental plant identification and landscape design; research and teaching experience in landscape design, landscape resilience and/or productive landscapes and food systems; demonstrated evidence of engaging and mentoring students; ability to develop a nationally recognized program in resilient landscape design, regenerative agriculture, and/or urban agriculture.

Special Certification/Licensure: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.