PhD - Asst. Professor Forest Entomology

[Sherry Sandretto <slsandre@xxxxxxx>]

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Assistant Professor, Forest Entomology

Department of Entomology

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

University of Minnesota

April 2009

*_Position: _*Full-time, tenure-track position in the Department of 
Entomology with responsibilities for research, teaching, advising 
graduate and undergraduate students and working collaboratively with the 
public and key industry contacts. Appointment will be 60% research and 
40% teaching/outreach, with research responsibilities to the Minnesota 
Agricultural Experiment Station in Forest Entomology. The position will 
be funded by the Department of Entomology, College of Food, Agricultural 
and Natural Resource Sciences and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment 
Station. The position is located on the St. Paul Campus of the 
University of Minnesota.

*_Responsibilities ? Research (60%):_* Research will focus on the 
ecology and management of injurious forest insects with emphasis on 
non-chemical means of manipulating these populations through the use of 
host plant resistance, silvicultural practices, and/or biological 
control to maintain or enhance forest health. Interactions are expected 
with state agencies including the MN Department of Natural Resources, 
the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the USDA Forest Service 
Northern Forest Experiment Station and the U of M Departments of Forest 
Resources, Plant Pathology and Horticulture Science. Interactions with 
APHIS and North Central Pest Diagnostic Network are also expected 
because of concerns about invasive species. Additional collaborative 
opportunities for teaching, research and outreach exist with water 
resources, ecology, and conservation programs at the U of M. The 
incumbent is expected to pursue and maintain extramural funding in 
support of these responsibilities. Funding opportunities exist from NSF, 
USDA-NRI, Forest Service Special Technology Development and Evaluation 
Monitoring Programs, the Minnesota DNR, and industry.

*_Responsibilities ? Teaching/Outreach (40%)_*: The incumbent will teach 
/Forest and Shade Tree Entomology/ (Ent 4250) annually. The course is 
required in the Forestry Resources and Urban Forestry majors and is 
necessary for accreditation of CFAN's forestry curriculum. Outreach will 
focus on the forest industry and agroforestry enterprises in Minnesota 
and surrounding states and may include developing specific outreach 
programs. A second course addressing undergraduate interests in 
environmental issues is expected. Advising graduate students in the 
Entomology Graduate Program and undergraduates in the College is 
expected.*_ _*

* *

*_Qualifications - Required_*:

   * Ph.D. or equivalent degree in entomology or related field by date
     of appointment.
   * Course work and research experience relevant to the listed
     responsibilities.
   * Experience working with graduate or undergraduate students.
   * Superior competence in written and oral English communication.

*_Qualifications ? Desired_*:

   * Expertise in forest insect ecology and management, forest ecology
     and/or silvicultural practices.
   * Cross-disciplinary strengths that would be particularly
     appropriate include one or more of the following: insect chemical
     ecology, invasion biology, population genetics, landscape ecology,
     host-plant resistance, behavioral ecology, or biological control.
   * Exceptional ability to identify critical technical information
     needs and issues in forest entomology and effectively communicate
     these to forestry practitioners and researchers.
   * Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and demonstrated
     capacity to collaborate.
   * Evidence of success in obtaining extramural funding.
   * Post-doctoral experience in forest entomology.
   * Classroom and laboratory teaching experience.
   * Publication in peer-reviewed journals.

*_Salary and benefits_*: The position will be filled at the rank of 
assistant professor with a nine-month, 100% time appointment in the 
Department of Entomology. Salary will be competitive with respect to 
other similar positions and commensurate with professional experience 
and qualifications. Benefits include University retirement; group life, 
medical and dental insurance plans, disability benefits, sick leave, and 
sabbatical opportunities.

*_Date Available_*: Spring 2010

*_Application_*: Apply online at http://employment.umn.edu to 
Requisition #160721 and attach CV, a statement of research and 
educational interests and future goals, and the names and addresses of 3 
references. Academic transcripts should be included with the 
application. Please direct inquiries to the Chair of the Search 
Committee. Initial screening of applicant files will begin on July 15, 
2009 but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is 
selected.

For initial inquires contact:

George E. Heimpel, Chair

Forest Entomology Search and Screening Committee

Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

219 Hodson Hall

1980 Folwell Avenue

St. Paul, MN 55108

612-624-3480

Email: heimp001@xxxxxxx

For questions regarding the application process, contact:

Lori Loberg
Human Resource Specialist
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St Paul, MN 55108
(612) 624-8439

Email: theis020@xxxxxxx

As an institution committed to demonstrating excellence through 
diversity, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource 
Sciences is committed to hiring a diverse faculty and staff, and 
actively encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups 
to apply.