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Hood College’s Department of Biology seeks an accomplished and highly motivated teacher-scholar to serve as the inaugural Aramark/Maryland Endowed Chair of Sustainability Studies.

Under the general direction of the Biology Department Chair, this full-time tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level begins August 1, 2023.

The College’s new major in sustainability studies launched in the fall of 2020 in response to growing regional demand for sustainability professionals to help guide agribusiness in Central Maryland. To lead this highly interdisciplinary program, we seek a broadly-trained system scientist with training or experience in incorporating aspects of the food-water-energy sustainability nexus and systems thinking into their pedagological approach. We aim to fill our new endowed chair position with a faculty member that can address nexus-related local issues in their research and involve both undergraduate and graduate students in finding answers to agribusiness challenges that will allow the Maryland farming industry to adapt and grow in future decades.

The successful candidate must have a strong commitment to teaching and the liberal arts; ongoing scholarly research in sustainable food systems, agribusiness or a closely related area; and commitment to service in the department, college, and community.

The candidate must also engage in recruitment efforts designed to attract talented students to the college, and actively seek partnerships that support the program’s mission and provide high-impact applied learning opportunities for students.

Based on their expertise and interests, the successful candidate is expected to teach, as well as actively mentor, and conduct research with students. The candidate is required to dedicate 20% of their time working in partnership with regional organizations, businesses, and institutions associated with sustainability studies especially those involved in the operation of local food systems.

Teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate coursework in sustainability studies, especially focusing on sustainable food systems and food security. Other teaching responsibilities will include elective course(s) in their area of expertise at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Resources from the endowment are available annually to support the candidate’s research efforts.

We seek a candidate with a strong commitment in a liberal arts setting, who is passionate about high-impact learning experiences, and who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do.  Candidates must have strong organizational skills and proven ability to work collaboratively across academic disciplines.

Job Description

This position will include explicit responsibilities for program development, student recruitment, and developing ties to the local and regional community. The Department also expects that the faculty member occupying the endowed chair will have responsibilities in initiating research and educational collaborations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Teaching

  • Teach introductory sustainability courses as well as food systems courses such as Introduction to Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Community-Based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainability Seminar
  • Mentor capstone experiences for Sustainability Studies majors.
  • Provide high-impact practices to students at all levels concerning all aspects of food system dynamics
  • Possible opportunity to teach upper-level undergraduate and graduate elective lecture and/or lab in area of expertise
  • Evening or weekend hours could be required to support programs or special events.

Scholarship

One or more of the following:

  • Conduct research in area of expertise while mentoring students at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
  • Using entrepreneurial collaborations with the appropriate regional companies, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and other academic institutions, pursue initiatives that enhance local food production, distribution, access, and processing of food wastes.
  • Present research findings as posters, workshops, oral presentations and peer-reviewed publications in journals or conference proceedings.
  • Give presentations at professional conferences and leading workshops including pedagogical workshops/presentations.
  • Write and receive grants for food systems research, curriculum enhancement or pedagogy.

Service

  • Support and participate in department and college committees and/or professional organizations to develop professional partnerships and meet the academic needs of the institution.
  • Support the College initiatives to recruit and retain talented students particularly in the area of Sustainability Studies.
  • Participate as an active member of the Hood College community.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or an advanced degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience; postdoctoral work and teaching experience are strongly preferred. Additionally, experience in the application of GIS or dynamic modeling to food system issues is preferred.