The University of Central Missouri, Department of Agriculture, is seeking an energetic and flexible Assistant Professor with the ability or potential to teach applied courses in Agronomy and Precision Agriculture. This 9-month, tenure-track appointment will be primarily student-centered with teaching, research, and outreach duties.     In addition to effective teaching, the successful candidate will mentor students; publish in peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities; seek external funding opportunities; and translate research-based information into student-centered active learning opportunities. The candidate is expected to contribute to the department, college, university, and discipline with appropriate service.

Teaching responsibilities may be in the following: crop science, soil science, soil and water conservation, weed and pest management, and/or precision agriculture applications. Courses may be delivered through traditional face-to-face, lecture/lab, and/or online.  

The University of Central Missouri Department of Agriculture aims to develop well-rounded agriculture students with knowledge and skills to guide them in finding career success in the agriculture industry.  Hands-on learning opportunities and science-based curriculum are cornerstones of the department. Students majoring in the department focus on Agribusiness Management, Agronomy, Animal Science, Horticultural Science or Agricultural Communication. The department also provides service courses for students majoring in Career and Technical Education, with emphasis in Agriculture Education.   Indoor and outdoor agronomic learning laboratories are available through production spaces on the university farms and through department-managed greenhouses.  On-campus greenhouse facilities provide over 5,000 sq. ft. of laboratory learning space utilized for classes, research, and department-sponsored student organization activities. 

Faculty within the College of Health, Science, & Technology at University of Central Missouri support the university’s mission of providing student-centered, quality education and are committed to the success of students.  This includes quality teaching, advising, collegiality and communication.  In addition, faculty provide service to their program, department and university, engage in research, scholarship, and professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage, and respond to students, colleagues, departmental, college, and institutional needs.  

Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is quality teaching in their respective content areas, regardless of delivery format. This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to the success of students as well as ongoing assessment of curriculum and of student learning.  

• Keep current in your discipline.

• Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices.

• Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.

• Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.

• Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.

• Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours.

• Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback.

Scholarship/Professional Development - The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area. 

• Authoring academic writings.

• Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.

• Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.

Service - An expectation of a professional faculty member is to serve the department, college, and university community.

• Attending department/college/university meetings

• Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.

• Assisting with student recruitment.

• Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.

Advising - A primary responsibility of faculty is the proper, timely, competent and professional advising of students. 

• Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s).

• Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation).

• Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations.

Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels. Timely communication with students supports other faculty responsibilities (teaching, advising). 

• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university.

• Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.

Minimum qualifications: 

• PhD or equivalent degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Weed Management, Precision Agriculture, or Plant Science, or closely-related discipline.   Candidates with ABD will be considered. 
• Experience teaching at the collegiate level required.
• Experience in research related to agronomic sciences.
• Evidence of teaching excellence in laboratory-based classes.  
• Potential for scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals.  
• Potential for success in competitive grant writing and leadership.  
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.  
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and a willingness to travel.
• Must have or be willing to obtain Missouri certified public operator license within 6 months of hire.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Successful online teaching experience.
• Experience or training in precision agriculture equipment, technologies and applications.
• Familiarity with regional agronomic practices and challenges.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• May lift, carry and/or otherwise move items weighing up to 40 pounds on an intermittent basis.
• Ability to conduct agronomic research trials.  
• Ability to work in a greenhouse environment.
• Exposure to fumes and/or chemicals.

Candidates must complete an on-line faculty profile found at https://jobs.ucmo.edu and apply to position 998326.

Candidates should submit (1) a cover letter that outlines the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and experience for the position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) unofficial transcripts for all awarded degrees; (4) teaching and research  philosophies and (5) include on faculty profile the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of a minimum of three professional references. These documents must be attached to the faculty profile at the time of application. Only completed online faculty profiles with the attached documents will be accepted for this position.

If contacted for a campus interview, three (3) formal letters of reference and official transcripts for all awarded degrees will be required to issue the contract. The finalist chosen for this position will be subject to criminal background and educational verification checks.

Direct inquiries regarding this position to: Search Chair, Dr. Michelle Santiago (santiago@ucmo.edu) or 660-543-4121.

For information about the on-line application process contact Human Resources at jobs@ucmo.edu or (660)543-4255.

UCM requires that all faculty applicants complete the on-line faculty profile. All documents requested must be attached to the profile at the time of application. Only completed faculty profiles with attached documents will be accepted for this position.

Application Deadline: 

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by February 27, 2026.

Special Instructions:

Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.

Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.

Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.

Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.

NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.

The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.