[Pollinator] Job: Assistant Professor of Entomology ­ Apiculture

[David Inouye]

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 at tamu.edu

Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity Employer


Raul F. Medina
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Department of Entomology
College Station TX 77843-2475
USA

Phone: (979) 845-8304
Fax: (979) 845-6305