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Assistant Professor of Entomology - Apiculture
Position Title: Assistant Professor of Entomology – Apiculture
Appointment: Ten-month, tenure-track faculty appointment with 65% research, 30% teaching; 5% service. Adjustments in the appointment may occur as Departmental needs change.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Research (65%): The successful applicant is expected to develop an innovative and active
research program that leads to discovery of fundamental knowledge in the science of
entomology as well as addressing practical problems facing the apiculture industry. The
academic foundation for the research program will build from a broad-based knowledge of
social insects. In addition, the individual will have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the
following areas: population genetics, pollination ecology, chemical ecology, host/parasite or
host/pathogen interactions, insect behavior/learning, neurophysiology, environmental toxicology,
functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. The faculty member will provide research
leadership in the area of apiculture and serve as the disciplinary expert in Texas regarding all
aspects of apiculture. The successful applicant will be expected to work closely and
collaboratively with colleagues at College Station and those located at Research Centers
throughout Texas and develop a world-class program in apiculture that embodies scholarship,
training of graduate students and service to the profession. The successful applicant is
expected to compete successfully for extramural funding to support their research activities that
will include establishing a graduate student training program in apiculture plus the incumbent
faculty member will work with the apiculture industry in the State of Texas to address problems
of contemporary importance.
Teaching (30%): The incumbent faculty member will be responsible for teaching an undergraduate course in Honey Bee Biology (ENTO 320) currently being offered as an online course each semester, and will participate in the existing graduate curriculum which may include developing a course in the candidate’s area of specialization and organization of the departmental seminar series on a rotational basis.
Service (5%). The successful applicant will demonstrate a willingness and ability to work with
clientele groups and to address their immediate needs by providing the industry with practical
solutions to the problems they face. The applicant will work closely with staff in the Texas
Apiary Inspection Service that has regulatory authority over the apiculture operations throughout
the state of Texas. Service to professional scientific societies, granting agencies by serving on
review panels and as ad-hoc reviewers, and on University, College, and Department
committees is expected.
Administrative Relationship: Supervision is provided by the Department Head of Entomology, and the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. The incumbent faculty member shall exhibit collegiality to all faculty, staff, students, clientele groups, and local administrators. Additionally, the candidate is expected to cooperate and collaborate with Faculty (independent of affiliation) as appropriate to the successful execution of their general duties and responsibilities and in support of Apiculture and Department of Entomology mission and goals.
Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Entomology, or related biological science field with emphasis on honey bees is required. Demonstrated skills in working with honey bees or other social insects or insect pollinators that includes, but is not limited to, population genetics, pollination ecology, chemical ecology, host/parasite or host/pathogen interactions, insect behavior/learning, neurophysiology, environmental toxicology, functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics or other relevant areas. Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong record of scholarly achievement, experience in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, mentoring students, obtaining extramural support, and an ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams is highly desired.
Resources and Facilities: The Texas apiculture program dedicated a new 6,500 square foot building, the Janice and John G. Thomas Honey Bee Facility, on the Riverside campus of Texas A&M University in February 2010. The facility houses the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, an integral part of Texas AgriLife Research, and will serve as a key research facility for the apiculture position. The successful candidate will be provided with an office and laboratory space in the Heep Center as well, along with access to Department teaching assistantships and a generous startup package which includes limited summer salary support.
Anticipated Starting Date: August 1, 2012, or until a suitable applicant is hired.
Closing Date for Applications: Review of applications will begin January 16, 2012.
Application Process: The Department of Entomology, together with Texas A&M University
and Texas AgriLife Research, seeks individuals who are able to work with diverse students and
colleagues, have experience with a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives, and
will contribute to the diversity efforts (http://diversity.tamu.edu) of the University. Applicants
must include in their cover letter information about the manner in which they will further
this goal. To receive full consideration for the position, all application materials must be
received by the closing date. Applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, a letter of
application must include a separate statement which outlines long-term career goals and
address specific issues as it relates to the research, teaching, and service mission of this
position; copies of transcripts; reprints of three most significant publications from the previous
five years, and names of four references which will include name, title, mailing address, e-mail
address, and the telephone number of the references, and a brief statement of how each
reference knows the candidate must be included as part of the candidate’s application
materials. All materials should be sent to:
Department of Entomology
Texas A&M University
Attn: Ms. Teresa Gold
Minnie Belle Heep Center Room 412
College Station, Texas 77843-2475
Phone: (979) 845-2510
Email: t-gold@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity Employer