Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension for Agricultural Toxicology

The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), a statewide program with local delivery, in collaboration with the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), UC Davis, seeks a full time Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension (100%) in the area of agricultural toxicology to protect Californian’s diverse animal, plant, human and environmental resources from emerging direct and indirect toxicologic threats through extension teaching (education and training outreach activities), applied research and other creative work, and service. Both the veterinary medicine and agriculture programs at UC Davis are ranked first nationally.

The successful candidate will interact closely with SVM and CAES faculty, the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists and Farm Advisors, I&R faculty, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and relevant divisions of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) including the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and the Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and other entities. This position will join and complement a highly productive team of toxicologists, environmental health scientists, veterinarians, livestock and crop advisors and specialists, regulatory experts, and agriculturalists to secure a sustainable agriculture and ensure human and animal food safety in California under the One Health umbrella.

This position will be a 1.0 FTE Assistant Professor of CE split equally between Veterinary Medicine Extension within the Department of Molecular Biosciences, SVM, and the Department of Environmental Toxicology, CAES, UC Davis. This position will be located at UC Davis given the existing network of collaborators at the SVM and CAES, and proximity to Sacramento for clientele at the CDFA, CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife), CalEPA, SWRCB, and other agencies.

 

SALARY: Dependent on qualifications and experience

 

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have expertise or training in toxicology, agricultural or veterinary sciences, environmental health and/or public health. Desired experience includes a good understanding of California agriculture, demonstrated understanding of the impact of continuing and emerging toxicological issues on California agriculture, and the potential to develop integrated strategies from a One Health perspective that reduce the risk of toxic exposures to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Advanced degree (PhD, DVM or equivalent) is required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with others in a collegial team atmosphere are required. Evidence of or potential for leadership and initiative is required. Evidence of or potential for conducting applied research and outreach education is required.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach: This position will develop and deliver training, and educational and outreach materials to extend science-based knowledge on how to protect humans, livestock, wildlife, crops, and the environment from exposure to toxic agents. This position will involve collaboration with toxicologists, CE specialists and advisors, and SVM and CAES faculty on research and demonstration projects, assistance with workshops, presentations at field days, development of interactive learning simulators, and production of lay and peer-reviewed publications. Additional expectations include identifying key clientele groups for the UC Davis SVM and CAES and the anticipated nature of these interactions. Key clientele include, but are not limited to, producers, ranchers, urban farmers, backyard farmers and growers, beekeepers, aquaculturists, allied professionals and agricultural organizations, regulatory agencies, UCCE advisors, and SVM and CAES faculty.

Research: The development of a creative and productive research program on key existing or emerging toxicologic threats to livestock and wildlife independently and collaboratively within the UCCE network (advisors, specialists, SVM and CAES faculty, etc.) with funding from extramural sources, is a fundamental and indispensable requirement of the position. The successful candidate will develop an applied research program in agricultural toxicology potentially focusing on the impact of legacy pollutants, pesticides, and emerging toxicology-related issues arising from commercial agriculture and climate change. Continuing research is also needed to evaluate the safety of agricultural byproducts and new alternative feeds such as hemp and seaweeds for livestock, along with traditional human food safety related to plant- and animal-derived foodstuffs. This individual will provide leadership and/or collaboration in directing research projects of professional and graduate students.

Service: University and public service through committee work, participation in professional organizations, continuing education and other appropriate means is required.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, please go to the following link - [https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF05147]. To receive fullest consideration, applications must be submitted by October 15, 2022 (IRD), position remains open until filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials: 1) a letter of intent outlining special interest in the position, overall related qualifications, and experience and career goals; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a statement of research; 4) a statement of extension and outreach; 5) a statement summarizing experience and professional contributions in the area of equity and diversity; and 6) the names and addresses of four professional references. Application materials must be submitted by using the University's online submission program.

Questions should be referred to:

Dr. Robert Poppenga (rhpoppenga@ucdavis.edu), Recruitment Chair, Attn: Sylvia Centeno, Personnel Specialist (scenteno@ucdavis.edu) School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California

The University of California, Davis and the Departments of Molecular Biosciences, SVM and Environmental Toxicology, CAES are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity. The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus. UC Davis supports family friendly recruitments; https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/work-life.

 

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Advanced degree (PhD, DVM or equivalent) is required.
Expertise or training in toxicology, agricultural or veterinary sciences, environmental health or public health is required.
Evidence of or potential to develop research and outreach programs from a One Health perspective that reduce the risk of toxic exposures to humans, animals, plants and the environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with others in a collegial team atmosphere are required.
Evidence of or potential for leadership and initiative is required.

 

Preferred qualifications

Desired experience includes a good understanding of California agriculture, demonstrated understanding of the impact of continuing and emerging toxicological issues on California agriculture, and the potential to develop integrated strategies from a One Health perspective that reduce the risk of toxic exposures to humans, animals, plants, and the environment.

 

• 4 required (contact information only)

 

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05147