Assistant Professor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Job Overview

Position:
Assistant Professor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Type:
Tenure‑track, nine‑month appointment

Department: UMES Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences

Start date:

Fall 2026

Salary range: $80,000 - $90,000

Mission:
To address global agricultural challenges, including food security, sustainable agriculture, food systems, and rural development.

• Conduct research, teach, and provide service to the department, university, and community.
• Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team focused on food security and food systems, developing a nationally and internationally recognized research program.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate international agriculture courses such as International Agricultural Development, Global Food Systems, and Sustainable Agriculture.
• Actively seek research and teaching grants and contracts.
• Advise undergraduate students; advise and direct graduate students in global food security and food systems disciplines.
• Develop new graduate courses in international agriculture and global food systems to support programs.
• Assist in student recruitment.
• Develop interdisciplinary relationships with faculty in other departments.
• Engage with stakeholders: farmers, industry, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Ph.D. in Agronomy, International Agriculture, Rural Development, or related field emphasizing agricultural emerging issues, global food security, and food systems.
• Evidence of scholarly publications and grantsmanship.
• Ability to interact productively in diverse settings, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching, advising, and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to develop nationally and internationally recognized programs serving the agricultural sector of the state, region, nation, and world, and to participate in interdisciplinary research.

• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at desk.
• May require lifting.
• Requires communication with constituents externally and internally.
• Requires operation of various office equipment.

• Experience working in international or cross‑cultural agricultural systems.
• Record of or strong potential for securing extramural funding (e.g., USDA, USAID, NSF).
• Experience in interdisciplinary and systems‑based research.
• Engagement with global development, policy, or land‑grant systems.

• Letter of Intent
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Research Experience and Interests
• Unofficial transcript
• Contact information for three professional references (current supervisor will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior consent)

Applications will be accepted through the online application system at  and must demonstrate acceptable documentation for eligibility to be employed in the United States without employer sponsorship.

• Health insurance, including multiple medical plan options for employees and dependents offered through the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Division.
• Prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement plans: mandatory enrollment in the state pension system or an Optional Retirement Plan with Fidelity or TIAA, Supplemental Retirement Accounts (TIAA, Fidelity, or MSRP‑Nationwide) with $600 annual state match.
• Life insurance (state‑sponsored Met Life, USM‑sponsored Met Life Plan, long‑term disability insurance).
• Tuition remission benefits for eligible employees, and, subject to USM policies, spouses and dependents at University System of Maryland institutions.
• Leave benefits: paid sick leave (15 days), collegial (3 days per year), and paid holidays.
• Employee wellness and support resources and access to the State of Maryland wellness programs.

UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons…