Research Assistant Professor – Temperate Agroforestry

Position Announcement:

Assistant Research Professor in Agroforestry at the University of New
Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire’s Department of Natural Resources and
the Environment seeks a dynamic, engaged scholar in the field of
temperate agroforestry for the position of research assistant professor
with a significant outreach component. Expectations of the position will
be to develop an externally supported research program in agroforestry
and contribute significantly to outreach activities, including playing a
lead role in creating and maintaining the New England Agroforestry
Training program at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Initial
expectations of the position will be consistent with a 12-month
appointment through the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. After
an initial three-year appointment, the successful candidate will be
expected to support 50% of their annual salary on external grants and
contracts for the next two years, with the level of partial funding
determined after the initial 5-year period. The ideal candidate will
undertake research on adapting agroforestry practices to New England’s
landscape to enhance sustainable and climate smart food production while
ensuring the continued provisioning of important ecosystem services.
Interests in interdisciplinary research and direct engagement with
landowners, natural resource professionals, and other stakeholders are
encouraged. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a
vibrant, externally supported research program and to integrate
agroforestry within existing academic, research, and extension programs
in forestry and agriculture at UNH. The research assistant professor
faculty member will help oversee and participate actively in a 5-year
USDA-funded agroforestry project being conducted on university research
farms and cooperating farmers’ lands. As a research faculty member,
the successful candidate will have the ability to mentor graduate
students and postdoctoral scientists.

Responsibilities

* Develop and carry out a vigorous externally funded research program
and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. (50%)
* Play a leadership role in designing and implementing the New England
Agroforestry Training program, as well as supporting UNH’s cooperative
extension program through training, outreach, and education. (30%)
* Responsibilities also include building partnerships with natural
resource professionals and organizations, interacting with landowners,
maintaining an Agroforestry network, and training and coordinating a
team of Agroforestry Ambassadors to assist with promoting Agroforestry
education and adoption. (10%)
* Contribute to outreach and service functions of the department,
college, university, and professional societies. Contribute to programs
aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the
department, college, and university. Promote an inclusive and diverse
climate within our campus and associated communities. (10%)

Qualifications

Minimum: Candidates must have a Ph.D. in forestry, agroforestry,
agronomy, or closely related discipline, and demonstrated potential to
develop and lead a productive and internationally recognized research
program, and to engage with Cooperative Extension state and field
specialists. A.B.D. considered with full degree completion prior to hire
date.

Preferred: At least one degree from an institution accredited by the
Society of American Foresters (or comparable professional accreditor
outside the United States), or a degree from a program in agronomy or
sustainable agriculture. Field experience in the management of diverse
forest and agricultural crops. Familiarity with operational and applied
research aspects of agroforestry, along with direct experience in
outreach and engagement. Demonstrated success with grant writing and
securing funding from diverse external sources to support research and
outreach activities.

Institution Information

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification
research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate
and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a
188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic
coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There
is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of
over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs.
The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which
qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and
cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and
shared inquiry.

Review of applications will begin April 15th, 2025 and will continue
until the position is filled.

For more details, see: https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/62532

Specific questions can be directed to Heidi Asbjornsen:
Heidi.asbjornsen@unh.edu