Assistant Professor of Soil Science

Job Description SummaryOrganization's Summary Statement:
The School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (SANS) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Soil Science with a combined appointment in research, teaching, and Extension. Situated on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, UMES offers an exceptional setting for an ambitious scholar to build a nationally visible, externally funded program with direct impact on agricultural systems and the communities the University serves through its 1890 land-grant mission.
This is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position with an anticipated appointment distribution of 50% research, 25% teaching, and 25% Extension. The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally recognized, externally funded program in soil science with relevance to agricultural systems in the Delmarva context.
About UMES: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an 1890 Land-Grant University located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a mission to provide educational, research, and Extension leadership that advances agricultural innovation. The School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (SANS) offers a collaborative environment where faculty work across disciplines - from biotechnology, animal sciences, agricultural economics, and soil health to engineering and data science - to address challenges in food, energy, and environmental systems. UMES is on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, with the major metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA, within easy travel distance.
Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, as a University System of Maryland institution and a Maryland State agency, provides a comprehensive benefits package to all regular faculty and staff. The Office of Employee Benefits provides consultative services and assistance with benefits planning, enrollment, and changes. Eligible employees may participate in a variety of benefit plans including:
• Health insurance, including multiple medical plan options for employees
and dependents offered through the State of Maryland Employee Benefits
Division.
• Prescription drug, dental, and flexible spending accounts, and vision
coverage.
• Retirement plans: mandatory enrollment in a 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 MetLife, USM sponsored MetLife
Plan, life insurance and 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 include 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.
Research Areas of Interest: Areas of specialization may include, but are not limited to, soil fertility and nutrient management, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil-water relationships, soil conservation, precision nutrient management, resilient cropping systems, soil carbon dynamics, salinity and saltwater intrusion, and the interaction of soil management with crop productivity and the environment.
Resources and Institutional Support: UMES offers a strong foundation for building an applied, field-oriented soil science program in support of its 1890 land-grant mission. The successful candidate will be affiliated with the UMES Agricultural Experiment Station and UMES Extension and will have opportunities to develop research and Extension activities using institutional agricultural resources, including the UMES farm, which comprises approximately 300 acres of agricultural land available to support field research, demonstrations, student training, and stakeholder engagement.
The position will also benefit from the new UMES Agricultural Research and Education Center (AgREC), which is expected to strengthen the University’s capacity for applied agricultural research, Extension programming, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These resources provide an excellent platform for work in soil fertility, nutrient management, soil health, crop-soil-water interactions, salinity and saltwater intrusion, cover crops, precision agriculture, and climate-resilient production systems relevant to the Delmarva Peninsula and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
The University is committed to the success of its new faculty. The successful candidate will be supported by research capacity-building funding, mentoring, collaborative grant development, and access to field and demonstration sites. New faculty are also eligible for the comprehensive University System of Maryland benefits package.
The successful candidate will join a growing group of faculty working across agricultural and natural sciences, Extension, engineering, data science, and environmental systems. Opportunities exist to collaborate with UMES Extension professionals, the UMES Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland Extension, USDA agencies, other 1890 and 1862 land-grant institutions, commodity groups, conservation partners, and regional producers.
Responsibilities:
Research responsibilities: The candidate will be expected to secure external funding; publish in peer-reviewed journals; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; collaborate with faculty across SANS, UMES Extension, other 1890 and 1862 land-grant institutions, USDA agencies, commodity groups, and stakeholders; and contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives that strengthen UMES research capacity.
Extension responsibilities: The candidate will provide leadership in soil science Extension programming for agricultural producers, Extension educators, agencies, and stakeholders. Extension responsibilities will include developing science-based educational programs, decision-support tools, demonstrations, workshops, field days, publications, and training materials related to soil management and agricultural productivity.
The Extension program will address practical soil and nutrient management needs in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region, including but not limited to soil testing interpretation, nutrient management, soil health, fertilizer-use efficiency, cover crops, soil conservation, irrigation and drainage considerations, soil amendments, climate resilience, and environmentally responsible production practices.
The candidate will be expected to work closely with UMES Extension, University of Maryland Extension, USDA agencies, county and state partners, agricultural organizations, and producers to identify needs, deliver impactful programming, and document outcomes. The candidate should be comfortable engaging directly with farmers, agricultural professionals, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
Required Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Crop and Soil Sciences, Environmental Soil
Science, Plant and Soil Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a closely related
field by the time of appointment.
• Strong training in soil science with the ability to teach broadly across the
discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise relevant to agricultural soil management.
• Evidence of experience in teaching, research, Extension, and student
mentoring.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students, faculty, producers,
stakeholders, and communities.
• Commitment to the land-grant mission and to the role of an 1890 institution
in advancing agricultural research, Extension, and workforce development.
Physical Demands:
• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at
desk.
• May require lifting.
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and
internally.
• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.
Preferences:
• Experience developing or delivering Extension, outreach, or stakeholder-
engaged programs.
• Research experience in applied soil science, nutrient management, soil
health, soil fertility, soil-water-crop interactions, or climate-smart
agriculture.
• Experience working with agricultural producers, Extension agents,
commodity groups, conservation districts, or state/federal agricultural
agencies.
• Evidence of successful or promising grant activity.
• Peer-reviewed publications in soil science, agronomy, agricultural systems,
or related fields.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
• Familiarity with Mid-Atlantic or Coastal Plain agricultural systems.
• Ability to use modern tools such as GIS, remote sensing, sensor
technologies, soil health assessment, modeling, data analytics, or precision
agriculture approaches.
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration across plant sciences, animal
sciences, environmental sciences, food systems, agricultural engineering,
and Extension.

Additional Job Details

DepartmentUMES-AGNS-Agriculture/Operations

Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular

Salary Range$80,000 - $95,000

EEO Statement

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 with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship.

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an equal access, equal opportunity institution fully committed to diversity in education and employment. All students, employees, and the campus community at UMES are valued, respected, and have the opportunity to receive an equitable experience in an inclusive, welcoming environment of openness and appreciation.

Title IX Statement

It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the University's educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discriminations or harassment.